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Original article from France Football, published in 2026.
How many former players can reignite that youthful flame that first made us love football with just a fleeting appearance or the mere mention of their name? Since the passing of Diego Maradona over five years ago, the crown of the world's most popular legend has naturally fallen to Ronaldinho. Ask anyone around you: "Which glorious old-timer would you dream of seeing back on the pitch?"
There's no doubt his name would top the list, much like it did in Rayan Cherki's interview with FF last month. It's no surprise, then, that the lucrative business of legends' matches and other commercial events fills the magician's schedule, from Tokyo to Mexico City, and from Tbilisi to Mallorca and Dubai.
Ballon d'Or winner and presenter
After years of "tracking" him between South America and Spain, we finally managed to pin down the elusive star in Paris in the early autumn to retrace his story. Following months of negotiations — interspersed with long periods of silence — the 2005 Ballon d'Or winner agreed to present the most prestigious individual trophy, without knowing the result beforehand, as the rules are the same for everyone. The setting was far from random for him.
The French capital holds a special place in his heart since he signed with Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2001. "It's always a joy to come back to Paris," he confided from his suite at the Hôtel Prince de Galles on Avenue George-V, where he had settled in late September with his brother—and one might say manager—Roberto, who takes him from one commercial engagement to another across the globe. "Everyone knows how attached I am to this city, where I spent wonderful years and some of the best moments of my career. It was the first European city I lived in, the first place I played after leaving Brazil. It's where I came to collect my Ballon d'Or, and then the Champions League a year later (at the Stade de France against Arsenal, 2-1)... When I don't come back for a long time, I get nostalgic."
It's a kind of reverse "saudade" for the native of Porto Alegre, in southern Brazil. It was there that the 44-year-old artist forged his extraordinary technique as a child on the hardwood courts of futsal, with a spectacular flair that already had observers on their feet. "I learned at a very young age to play in tight spaces, to invent moves to get out of complex situations, which then helped me feel more comfortable when I found myself on a big pitch," says the man with wavy, though thinning, black hair. "Without futsal, I wouldn't have developed the technique that allowed me to shine later in eleven-a-side football. I learned to master the ball thanks to futsal."
He also learned by watching his brother Roberto, nine years his senior, who played for clubs like Grêmio Porto Alegre, FC Sion (Switzerland), Sporting CP, and Montpellier. Roberto has watched over him attentively since the accidental death of their father (also a former pro footballer) in 1988, when Ronnie was just 8 years old. "There was always a ball lying around the house when I was a child," the former Barça star recalls from behind his tinted glasses. "It was a given that I would become a professional; football has always been a constant in my life."
The masterpiece against Venezuela
As early as the 1990s, even before he joined the Grêmio youth academy, television was heralding the emergence of a future superstar, a "new Pelé" from Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil's southernmost state).
This didn't faze or destabilize him. "For me, it was more of an extra motivation than pressure. It was an honor, of course, to be compared to Pelé, but I remained focused on my game and my goals, not on what was being said about me." After a remarkable debut in 1998 in the blue, black, and white of Grêmio, he was called up to the Seleção the very next year as they prepared for the Copa América.
Ronaldinho's Bio
RONALDO DE ASSIS MOREIRA, known as RONALDINHO. 44 years old. Born March 21, 1980, in Porto Alegre, Brazil. 1.82 m; 80 kg. Attacking midfielder, left winger. Brazilian international (97 caps, 33 goals).
Career : Grêmio Porto Alegre (1998-2001) Paris Saint-Germain (2001-2003) FC Barcelona (2003-2008) AC Milan (2008-Jan 2011) Flamengo (Jan 2011-Jun 2012) Atlético Mineiro (2012-2014) Querétaro (2014-2015) Fluminense (Jul-Sep 2015).
Major Honors International : 2002 World Cup ; 1999 Copa América ; 2005 Confederations Cup Club ; 2006 Champions League ; 2013 Copa Libertadores ; 2014 Recopa Sudamericana ; 2005 & 2006 La Liga ; 2011 Serie A ; 2005 & 2006 Spanish Super Cup.
Long before the internet made viral moments instantaneous, Ronaldinho announced himself to the world. Coming on as a substitute against Venezuela, he scored a goal that would become his trademark : a deft sombrero flick over a defender, a subtle touch with the outside of his boot, and a powerful close-range finish. A star was born, and Europe's biggest clubs were already vying for his signature.
Manchester United believed they had secured the deal, but with his innate talent for evasion, the Brazilian landed in Paris two years later. It was a bold move, as PSG had just finished a disappointing ninth in the French league. "My brother Roberto had been in contact with the Paris Saint-Germain management for a while," Ronaldinho recalled. "I chose to come to PSG because, for me, it was already a big club. I think it was the right choice for my career, the ideal club to start my adventure in Europe."
An apprentice magician in the capital
Thanks to their new prodigy, who tallied 13 goals and seven assists in his first season, the Parisian club climbed to fourth place. The following summer, he won the 2002 World Cup alongside Ronaldo, Rivaldo, and Roberto Carlos. He returned to PSG for a second season of similar quality (12 goals, 12 assists), though his time there is often remembered for being benched by coach Luis Fernandez and for failing to win a major trophy. His final appearance for the club was a 2-1 loss to Djibril Cissé's AJ Auxerre in the 2003 Coupe de France final.
He, however, prefers to focus on the positive memories. "My time in Paris was wonderful, a great learning period. I discovered a different culture, another style of football. I am very grateful for everything I learned here; it helped me grow and was immensely useful for the rest of my career. Even though I unfortunately didn't get the chance to become a French champion, I played in many matches that have stayed with me forever." One such game was a masterclass performance during the 3-0 Classique victory at the Vélodrome on March 9, 2003. "Against OM, it was more than just a match. I was lucky to always do well in those games against them."
Four months later, Barcelona secured his services, and he wasted no time making an impact. With international players scheduled to join their national teams on the morning of September 3rd, club president Joan Laporta insisted on playing the match against Sevilla at 12:05 AM that same day. It was a perfect kickoff time for the famous night owl, who shone brightly in the Catalan night.
"From that first day at Barça, I knew something great was happening."
Just before the hour mark, he surged towards the opposition's goal from the halfway line and unleashed a magnificent 25-meter strike that crashed in off the crossbar. The Camp Nou was instantly captivated. "I always joke that it was 'my moment'," Ronnie laughed when reminded that his thunderous home debut mirrored his party-loving reputation. "From that first day at Barça, I knew something great was happening."
After five seasons without a major title, the Catalan institution was reborn under the leadership of new coach Frank Rijkaard and his Brazilian jewel, Ronaldinho. With the playmaker conducting the orchestra, surrounded by talents like Xavi, Deco, and Samuel Eto'o, the Blaugrana secured back-to-back La Liga titles in 2005 and 2006. "I experienced magical moments in Barcelona. I won extraordinary trophies with great players by my side; it was a wonderful time."
2005 Ballon d'Or Rankings
Ronaldinho (BRA, FC Barcelona), 225 points
Frank Lampard (ENG, Chelsea), 148 pts
Steven Gerrard (ENG, Liverpool), 142 pts
Thierry Henry (FRA, Arsenal), 41 pts
Andriy Shevchenko (UKR, AC Milan), 33 pts
Paolo Maldini (ITA, AC Milan), 23 pts
Adriano (BRA, Inter Milan), 22 pts
Zlatan Ibrahimović (SWE, Juventus), 21 pts
Kaká (BRA, AC Milan), 19 pts
Samuel Eto'o (CAM, FC Barcelona), 18 pts
John Terry (ENG, Chelsea), 18 pts
Juninho (BRA, Lyon), 15 pts
Claude Makélélé (FRA, Chelsea), 8 pts
Michael Ballack (GER, Bayern Munich), 7 pts
Didier Drogba (CIV, Chelsea), 7 pts
Petr Čech (CZE, Chelsea), 7 pts
Juan Román Riquelme (ARG, Villarreal), 7 pts
Zinedine Zidane (FRA, Real Madrid), 5 pts
Gianluigi Buffon (ITA, Juventus), 4 pts
Cristiano Ronaldo (POR, Man United), 3 pts
Jamie Carragher (ENG, Liverpool), 3 pts
Michael Essien (GHA, Lyon & Chelsea), 2 pts
Luis García (ESP, Liverpool), 1 pt
Pavel Nedvěd (CZE, Juventus), 1 pt
"This Ballon d'Or is a dream that came true. I have no words to describe the emotion I felt at that moment and everything it represents for me."
The pinnacle of this period was his Ballon d'Or win on November 28, 2005. The award came just ten days after he received a standing ovation at the Santiago Bernabéu—a true rarity for a Barcelona player—following a masterclass performance against Real Madrid, where he scored twice in a 3-0 victory. "This Ballon d'Or is a dream that came true. I have no words to describe the emotion I felt at that moment and everything it represents for me."
The party and the decline
The following year, after winning the Champions League against Arsène Wenger's Arsenal, Ronaldinho joined an elite group of players to have won the Champions League, the World Cup, and the Ballon d'Or. This exclusive club includes legends like Bobby Charlton, Gerd Müller, Franz Beckenbauer, Paolo Rossi, Zinedine Zidane, Rivaldo, Kaká, and Lionel Messi.
He is also the only player in history to have added both the Copa América and the Copa Libertadores (with Atlético Mineiro in 2013) to that list of achievements. "I consider it a privilege. It's incredible, a dream I couldn't have imagined as a child. But you know, from my futsal days to my last professional title, I remember all the trophies I've won, and they all have the same importance to me."
By 2008, after a mixed fifth season in Catalonia that saw the team finish third in La Liga and get knocked out in the Champions League semi-finals, Pep Guardiola took the reins. He initiated a squad overhaul, intending to rebuild the team around a young Lionel Messi. Rumors circulated, both in Barcelona and elsewhere, that Ronaldinho sometimes arrived at training directly after a long night out.
When asked if he would change anything about his dazzling career, he firmly replied: "No, I wouldn't change a thing. Nothing." Pushed out by the rigorous tactical plan of the tiki-taka disciple, Ronaldinho moved to AC Milan, where he spent three seasons but never quite rediscovered his peak form.
"I always had fun on the pitch"
Throughout his career, he remained faithful to what had guided him from his first steps: a love for the ball and the joy of playing. "It's a joy to know that people enjoyed watching me play, that they still go on YouTube today to rewatch my matches and some of my moves. I always had fun on the pitch, and I am very honored and grateful for all the love I received as a player and still receive today."
While he continues to cause a stir wherever he goes, he rejects the idea of being anything more than a former footballer. "Me, a rock star? No, I'm just a happy and fulfilled man who had a fabulous career in football. Music? That's another passion. It has always been part of my life and is still with me today, just like football." After his time in Italy, he began a final tour in 2011 with Flamengo, then Atlético Mineiro, before a surprising stint in Mexico with Querétaro and finally hanging up his boots in 2015 at Fluminense.
When asked to choose his favorite goal, he mused, "Ooh, that's very difficult!" (He laughs.) I think of one of my first goals with Grêmio in the Gaucho Championship (regional) which opened the doors to the national team for me, the one against Venezuela in the 1999 Copa América, my goal with Paris against Guingamp (on February 22, 2003, after a series of dribbles), my very first with Barça, my goal (the first) at the Bernabéu in the Clásico (on November 19, 2005), the toe-poke against Chelsea (4-2, in the Champions League round of 16 second leg, on March 8, 2005), the one against England at the 2002 World Cup (a wide free-kick in the quarter-finals), my run against Olympique de Marseille (in 2003), one I scored against Inter Milan in a derby, my goal in the Carioca Championship final with Flamengo, another in the Copa Libertadores... The list of his exploits is long.
The former Parisian has obviously followed PSG's victorious 2025 Champions League campaign with great interest. "I am very happy with the way Paris is playing right now, especially since the coach (Luis Enrique) is someone I admire a lot, because he knows football very well and cultivates beautiful play. Everyone who loves football enjoys watching this team play."
Ronaldinho admitted he would have loved to lace up his boots again to play alongside the likes of Vitinha, Achraf Hakimi, and Ousmane Dembélé. "Who wouldn't want to play in this PSG today? Any player would tell you the same thing. It's a great team, showing beautiful creativity and playing 'bonito' football, where the ball circulates well. It's a pleasure to watch them play."
Raphinha fan
A few hours before presenting an award to "Dembouz," he was asked to choose between the French forward and his main competitor, Barcelona's Lamine Yamal. Naturally, he declined to pick a side. "Ousmane had an incredible season. As for Lamine, he is only at the beginning of his career, but he has started very strong and is capable of amazing things. I hope he continues to delight us. I would also like to mention Raphinha (ranked fifth), whom I've known since he was little. We come from the same city, and I'm friends with his family, especially his father. I'm one of his biggest supporters."
At the start of the season, Ronaldinho's son, João Mendes (21), signed with Hull City in the English Championship. He offered him a piece of advice that is perfectly in character. "I told him: 'Have fun, enjoy yourself.' Of course, be serious, work hard, but the most important thing is that every time you step onto the pitch, you are happy. The rest will follow."
