What can you say about a footballer like Ronaldinho who, despite playing for Barcelona, earned a standing ovation from Real Madrid fans at the legendary Santiago Bernabéu? If you’re reading this, you probably already know how special Ronaldinho was on the pitch, but his story goes far beyond football fame.
Chasing Dreams: Ronaldinho’s Rise from Humble Beginnings to Global Icon
Behind the dazzling skills and infectious smile is the remarkable journey of a Brazilian legend, born to a mother who worked as both a saleswoman and a nurse, and a father who toiled as a shipyard worker. Few fans realize that Ronaldinho’s real name is actually Ronaldo, and the reason behind his famous nickname is just one of the many details we’ll uncover.
This biography delves into his humble beginnings, the pivotal role his brother Roberto de Assis Moreira played in shaping his football career, and the heart-wrenching loss of his father that deeply impacted his life. From his struggles to his incredible triumphs, join us as we explore Ronaldinho’s untold story, a player whose magic will be remembered for generations. Now, let’s dive into the heart of his journey.
Ronaldinho’s Childhood Story – Early Life and Family Background:
This is Ronaldinho in his childhood days. He never lost that cheerful smile.
For starters, in his Biography reading, Ronaldinho wasn’t born as Ronaldinho or Ronaldinho Gaúcho. Upon birth, he bared the name Ronaldo de Assis Moreira.
Ronaldinho debuted on planet Earth on the 21st day of March 1980 in Porto Alegre, Brazil. His father, João Moreira, worked as an iron bender and welder at a shipyard, and he was also a former footballer.
His mother, Miguelina de Assis, initially sold cosmetics before transitioning to a full-time nursing career. Ronaldinho was fortunate to grow up in a family with a rich soccer background, as both his father and older brother had played the sport professionally.
His neighbourhood in Porto Alegre was famous for being one of the poorest and roughest towns in Brazil. It is the home to Raphinha, the Leeds United Footballer who plays under Marcelo Bielsa.
Ronaldinho’s family often struggled with money and keeping a house. Retiring from football and just focusing on the welding business hardly makes ends meet for his dad.
The family had to put all hope into Roberto (Ronaldinho’s elder brother) ‘s joining a professional club and earning good money for himself and for the upliftment of the family.
Ronaldinho Family Life:
Sadly, Ronaldinho’s dad is late. He used to work for Gremio, one of Porto Alegre’s two big clubs, as a match-day doorman until he left the job to settle for as a welder in a shipyard.
Ronaldinho is never shy of accepting he is a mummy’s boy. His mum is known by the name Dona Miguelina Elói Assis dos Santos, but prefers to be called Miguelina.
She once supported her family with her cosmetic business before pursuing her long-term dream of becoming a senior nurse, and she really looks like one.
Ronaldinho and Mother, Miguelina.
Deisy is Ronaldinho’s one and only favourite sister who is stuck with him for life. The level of support Deisy has pledged to give his brother is limitless and unconditional. She takes charge and coordinates all press activities for her brother.
Ronaldinho’s Sister, Deisy.
The Big Brother Effect:
To start with, Ronaldinho’s brother Roberto de Assis Moreira is ten years his senior. Although he is predominantly known for his intelligence in managing his younger brother’s (Ronaldinho) illustrious career.
He himself was a budding football talent in his youth. In fact, the Brazilian club Grêmio offered Assis’ family a mansion in order to keep the promising youngster in the club.
Young Ronaldinho and his big brother.
Previously, the family had lived in a wooden house in the middle of a favela or slum in Porto Alegre, in the south of Brazil.
At this time, João (his father), a solderer by trade, often worked as a car park security guard at Grêmio’s stadium in order to supplement his meagre income.
Roberto’s success as a footballer helped his family leave the slots behind for a more comfortable home, but his hopes of playing top-level football with Grêmio were all but destroyed when he suffered a serious knee injury.
Years later, Roberto’s younger brother, Ronaldo (now known only as Ronaldinho), would emerge as an even hotter talent at Grêmio’s youth set-up.
He became that before departing his home country for French side PSG and eventually Spanish club Barcelona, whom he was with for five years, before departing for Milan in 2008.
Throughout Ronaldinho’s career, Assis acted as his brother’s agent and adviser and is credited by many, including Ronaldinho himself, as a major influence and guiding force of the player.
During his acceptance speech after receiving the FIFA World Player of the Year award for a second consecutive year in December 2005, Ronaldinho paid tribute to his brother.
He expressed, “Roberto is my idol. He has faced many challenges and has supported me every step of the way. His encouragement has motivated me to keep striving for success.”
Ronaldinho Biography – How Roberto Molded his Career:
His elder brother inspired him, thus making him take football seriously at the age of 7.
He spent most of his childhood performing one-on-one training with his brother in his relatively poor and hardscrabble neighbourhood.
Roberto saw the future in his younger brother and acted on it by creating daily training sessions for him.
He started out by taking little Ronaldinho to the field after his training session had ended.
Occasionally, he would miss his own training just to make time to train his little brother.
Not many soccer fans know that Ronaldinho learned football from his big brother, Roberto.
Ronaldinho recalled,
“Roberto made me juggle the ball up to 500 times each session. He would watch closely and wouldn’t let me leave until I finished. It took the joy out of it for me back then, and I was really upset—I even cried because I didn’t get it at the time. But later on, I came to understand his intentions.”
It was Roberto who invented the following skills and passed them on to his little brother.
These are as follows;
(1) The practice of ball dribbling and handling on both ground and air. (2) Knowing how to bend his knees while dribbling
(3) Learning not to stare at the ball
(4) Learn how to perform moves while at least 1 meter from an opponent.
(5) Learning how to accelerate after every move.
At the age of 7, Ronaldinho could dribble the ball hard, head up balls with precision and make amazing ball controls using his imagination.
Training outside his comfort zone surely made Ronaldinho develop skills he never thought he had in him. It was at this stage the foundation of the following skills was built. These skills include;
(1) The FlipFlap/Elastico (2) The No-Look Passing and dribbling (3) Making Patented Freekicks (4) Performing his favourite Hocus Pocus (As seen in the picture by the left) and finally (5) Doing the difficult Joga Bonito dribble.
These skills will be showcased later in this article. It is worth asserting that Ronaldinho transferred these skills to futsal and not soccer. It was his shift from futsal to soccer that brought a turning point to his life as a footballer.
Ronaldinho and Janaína Mendes Love Story:
After the 2002 World Cup, young Ronaldinho crossed paths with Janaína Mendes, and the two quickly fell in love. Their relationship blossomed over the next two years, leading them to decide to get married.
On February 25, 2005, they welcomed their first child, a son named João, in a touching tribute to Ronaldinho’s late father. The birth of João marked a new chapter in Ronaldinho’s life, blending his passion for football with the joys of fatherhood.
Ronaldinho is a man who is so full of fun and life. His wife knows him as a lovely husband without a dull moment. She always enjoys moments spent with him.
How Ronaldinho’s Father Died:
The Football Legend has always idolized his father, even after his death. His father was one of the most important people for him and his career, even though he died when he was very young.
His father’s death is a sad event that happened in January 1989. It was a dark month when Ronaldinho lost his first coach. The question here is, what actually happened? What led to his father’s death?… This is it;
Ronaldinho’s older brother, Roberto, had recently benefited from a contract extension with the Grêmio football team, which allowed him to purchase a beautiful mansion for the family. They left behind their old home and moved into this luxurious residence, complete with a swimming pool.
However, a tragic turn of events unfolded during a family celebration for Roberto’s eighteenth birthday and their parents’ anniversary. After returning from training, Roberto was met with devastating news: their father had suffered a fatal heart attack while swimming. Ronaldinho was only eight years old at the time.
Reflecting on his father’s impact, Ronaldinho shared, “My dad gave me some of the best advice I’ve ever had. Off the field, he taught me to do the right thing and be an honest person. On the field, he always encouraged me to keep my game simple. He believed that one of the most complicated things you can do is to play simply.” This guidance would stay with Ronaldinho throughout his life and career.
Ronaldinho’s Brother – The Tragic End to his Career:
Ronaldinho has often credited his elder brother (Roberto) for stepping in to serve as a father figure for him after their loss.
After their father’s death, it was Roberto who took on extra responsibility for the family.
He took care of Ronaldinho and his other kid brothers with the money he earned from football.
Unfortunately, his promising career was put to an abrupt end due to a serious injury he sustained while playing for his club, Garmio.
Life after Father’s Death:
Ronaldinho feared his family would be poor again after an end to his brother’s career. Getting injured means Roberto could no longer play and earn enough money to keep up with their living standard.
This was a clarion call for Ronaldinho. A time he had to step up and live up to his billing. At this point, he was determined to make it quick.
Ronaldinho understood that he needed to put in significant effort in football to gain the national and global recognition he believed was his destiny.
He began his journey by actively participating in both futsal—a variation of soccer played indoors with five players on each team—and traditional soccer. This dual involvement not only honed his skills but also laid the foundation for his remarkable football career.
It took less time before he started gaining attention. Early fans knew him as the smallest and best kid who could regularly perform the Brazilian samba style in both futsal and outdoor soccer games.
It was at this time his nickname ‘Ronaldinho’ (meaning Small Ronaldo) was fully endorsed by his friends and fans.
It is pertinent to note that Ronaldinho was always the smallest player on the field during his time in the academy.
According to him,
“They called me that because I was really small. I played with players like a certain Ronaldo Luis Nazario de Lima, who was older than me.
As people observed, there was another Ronaldo who was bigger, better, and older, so they decided to call me Ronaldinho. I accepted it because I respected him, and I was younger.”
Note: Ronaldinho gained the local Portuguese suffix “inho” around his name “Ronald” because of his size. In localized Portuguese, “inho” means small or little.
During his early years, Ronaldinho’s youth teams often had to play on makeshift fields.
“The only grass on the field was in the corners,” he recalls. “In the middle, there was no grass at all—just sand.”
These challenging conditions didn’t deter him; instead, they fueled his passion for the game and shaped his determination to succeed.
His early experiences with futsal helped shape his unique playing style, marked by improving his remarkable touch and cruise control on the ball, which he learnt from his elder brother Roberto.
Ronaldinho once said, “A lot of the moves I make originate from futsal and was taught to me by Roberto. In the peak of my playing days, my ball control was pretty similar to a futsal player’s control.”
Ronaldinho also took his time studying past greats such as Pelé, Ziko and Rivellino and kept dreaming of following in their footsteps.
The Turning Point:
That time finally came for Ronaldinho. He was awarded as Brazil’s most talented youth soccer player when he scored a ridiculous 23 goals in a single game at the tender age of 13.
Ronaldinho’s remarkable goals helped propel his team to a significant junior championship, marking a pivotal moment in his career. In 1997, he earned a call-up to Brazil’s Under-17 national team, where he showcased his talent at the FIFA Under-17 World Championship in Egypt, ultimately being named the tournament’s best player.
Following this success, he signed his first professional contract with Grêmio, one of Brazil’s most prestigious clubs. The following year, he made his senior debut in the Copa Libertadores, quickly establishing himself as a key player and star striker.
His impressive performances at that young age caught the attention of major clubs, and in April 2001, he was transferred to Paris Saint-Germain for €5 million. Despite interest from several leading teams, including Arsenal F.C., Ronaldinho heeded his brother’s advice and chose to join PSG, setting the stage for his illustrious career in European football.
Ronaldinho Biog – The 2002 World Cup:
During his time at Paris Saint-Germain, Ronaldinho frequently played for the Brazilian national team in international tournaments, showcasing his exceptional skills on a global platform. His stellar performances earned him a deserving spot on the roster for the 2002 World Cup, where he became part of a legendary trio known as the “Three Rs”—alongside Ronaldo and Rivaldo. This formidable partnership played a crucial role in securing Brazil’s title that year.
One of the standout moments of the tournament came during the quarterfinal match against England when Ronaldinho scored a remarkable 30-yard goal, which is still remembered as one of the highlights of the event. His contributions on the pitch not only helped Brazil lift the trophy but also solidified his status as one of the game’s greats.
Brazil triumphed over Germany to clinch the title, with both goals scored by the legendary Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima, one of the most prominent figures in the “Three Rs” trio. His remarkable performance in the final underscored his immense talent, and he was among the players who played a vital role in securing Brazil’s fifth World Cup championship.
Ronaldinho Biography Facts – Transfer to Barcelona:
In 2003, Ronaldinho expressed his desire to leave Paris Saint-Germain, sparking a fierce competition among top European clubs for his signature. He was pursued by both FC Barcelona and Manchester United, but ultimately heeding his brother’s advice, he signed with Barcelona on July 19, 2003. This transfer realized his lifelong ambition of joining one of the world’s most renowned clubs, especially as he donned the legendary No. 10 jersey, typically associated with the team’s most talented playmaker.
His arrival in Barcelona was nothing short of a spectacle, drawing a crowd of 25,000 fans eager to welcome him. During the 2005-06 season, Ronaldinho was instrumental in leading Barcelona to their first Champions League title in 14 years, solidifying his status as a key player in the team’s success.
Partying Story:
Ronaldinho has been involved in spearheading several parties. This proves he is one of the world’s biggest party animals.
Here’s a glimpse into his life off the field, a lifestyle once comparable to the likes of Neymar and Adriano, often known as “The Emperor.” For someone as gifted and flamboyant as Ronaldinho, his off-pitch antics and extravagant lifestyle made just as many headlines as his brilliance on the field.
He loves to attend the biggest and wildest Brazilian carnivals and parties around the world. This is why he has cemented his reputation as the biggest party animal on the face of the planet.
The detached, logical view of his footballing career would be that after denying himself some pleasures until his late 30s, Ronaldinho could spend the rest of his days partying to his heart’s content.
This, though, did not seem to be an option. According to him, “Life is short and can end unexpectedly—so enjoy it while you can.”
Ronaldinho Accident Escape:
Ronaldinho once experienced an accident while en route to celebrate his mother’s birthday in Porto Alegre. The incident occurred on a Saturday when the car, which was being driven by his personal chauffeur, accidentally veered into a ditch. Fortunately, there were no serious injuries reported, but the incident served as a stark reminder of life’s unpredictability, even during celebratory moments.
The two-time FIFA World Player of the Year, Ronaldinho, was involved in a car accident in Brazil but fortunately emerged unscathed. His brother and agent, Roberto de Assis, reassured the media, stating, “It wasn’t anything serious. Luckily, nobody was hurt. That’s the most important thing.” The incident highlighted the importance of safety and gratitude in the face of unexpected events.
A Car Lover:
FC Barcelona legend Ronaldinho will always be known as one of football’s greatest entertainers, but perhaps the Brazilian enjoyed most of his time off the field rather than on it. Off the field, he is known to be a man who has eyes for nice cars.
The football magician is a self-confessed car fanatic and has been spotted using several exotic cars.
Whether it’s in a nightclub or on the field, Ronaldinho keeps the crowd entertained.
Ronaldinho Brother, Jailed:
Roberto de Assis Moreira, the brother and agent of Brazilian football icon Ronaldinho, received a sentence of five years and five months in prison for his involvement in money laundering and tax evasion. This incident cast a shadow over their family, raising concerns about financial dealings amidst Ronaldinho’s illustrious career.
Asides from money laundering charges, he has also suffered personal blows in recent times with the closure of his football club in Porto Alegre, as well as his nightclub in the city following a murder.
Love for Pepsi:
Ronaldinho has enjoyed numerous endorsement deals with major companies such as Nike, Pepsi, Coca-Cola, EA Sports, Gatorade, and Danone, among others. In 2006 alone, he earned over $19 million from these partnerships.
Throughout his career, he was a prominent face for Pepsi, appearing in commercials alongside stars like David Beckham, Thierry Henry, and Lionel Messi. However, his relationship with Coca-Cola took a turn in 2011 when he signed a deal with the beverage giant, only for it to be terminated in July 2012 after he was photographed drinking Pepsi during a news conference.
The issue with Pep:
Five Skills that proved he is the greatest Football Magician:
(1) After bursting onto the scene following this freekick against England in the 2002 World Cup, Ronaldinho paved the way for the emergence of Magic in football.
(2) The FlipFlap Elastico Style: When this move was first witnessed, NASA assembled the world’s greatest scientific minds for an emergency summit.
In that summit, it was stated that there was now a man who could bend the laws of physics. His name is Ronaldinho Gaúcho. Many have tried this and failed. An example is seen below;
(3) No-Look Passing: Have you ever tried playing football with your eyes shut? The old adage “keep your eye on the ball” was evidently not in Ronaldinho’s dictionary.
(4) Hocus Pocus: This is one of Ronaldinho’s most aesthetic skills, requiring hours of practice on the training ground for just one moment of genius on the field.
(5) The Joga Bonito Style: Don’t be alarmed, and do not adjust your screen. This is the Joga Bonito Style invented by Ronaldinho.
Rankings:
We present the rankings of someone who is often called the maestro of skilful football.
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