Ronaldinho (Ronaldo de Assis Moreira) was born on March 21, 1980 in Porto Alegre, Brazil and would rise to be one of soccer's greatest. The five-foot eleven, one-hundred seventy-seven pound forward would wow audiences with his mastery as early as 1999, beginning amateur play following in his father Joao's footsteps, becoming skilled in beach and indoor (futbal) soccer.
Ronaldinho was raised by his mother, Miguelina, and his brother and sisters after his father died when the boy was only eight years old. Ronaldinho earned his first cap with Brazilian club Gremio's senior team led by coach Celso Roth in 1999. Two years later, Arsenal FC began heavily recruiting Ronaldinho, but his inability to obtain a work permit thwarted this draft. Ronaldinho went on to sign a five-year contract with Paris Saint-Germain FC. Unfortunately, he seemed overwhelmed by his new success at his young age and was often said to pay more attention to the Parisian nightlife than to soccer practice. An unhappy Ronaldinho returned to Barcelona in 2004.
Ronaldinho and his talented teammates Ronald and Rivaldo mesmerized onlookers at the Copa America in Paraguay. Ronaldinho scored Brazil's fifth goal in their 7-0 trouncing of rival Venezuela. When Ronaldinho scored the game-winning goal off of an astounding 30-yard free kick which completely baffled England's goalie David Seaman at 2002's FIFA World Cup in Japan, he had made what has hence been known as the "Wonder Goal". Having taken the quarterfinal, his team eventually won the World Cup. Ronaldinho was rewarded by being named part of the all-tournament team.
Winning almost every possible award in soccer, Ronaldinho's prizes include the FIFA World Player of the Year in 2004 and 2005, and the UEFA's Champion League Award in 2006 in Barcelona-that year scoring seven goals in just twelve matches. In 2008, Sport Illustrated magazine put Ronaldinho in the top fifth wealthiest athletes at $37.5 million that included earnings, bonuses, endorsements, and appearances. Only Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, David Beckham, and Kimi Raikkonen beat him in earnings-quite the achievement for the twenty-eight year old.
Soccer fans and enthusiasts were saddened in the early summer of 2008 where, in his 200th match, Ronaldinho injured a muscle in his right leg that would bench him for the rest of the 2007-2008 season. Further complicating his injury situation, Ronaldinho's player situation looked bleak when he and his club fought over his choice to play in Bejing's Olympic games. After much squabble, Ronaldinho did strike a deal with the Italian Club AC Milan-a deal that would allow him to play in the Olympics alongside his countrymen.
Ronaldinho did turn down a $25.5 million offer from Manchester City to join AC Milan in a three-year contract-in Barcelona, he was receiving $21 million. Forced to lose his favorite jersey number 10, as it was being worm by Clarence Seedorf, he chose 80 for his year of birth. Proving just as valuable in Milan, he scored his first goal in a 1-0 victory over Internazionale in September of 2008.
Ronaldinho drove Milan into a 2-2 draw after they had fallen behind 2-0 against Sporting Braga in November 2008's UEFA Cup and then scored a match-winner in the 93rd minute of the match. Ronaldinho's brother Roberto has been driving his brother as his agent, and has gotten him endorsement after endorsement so that his great soccer playing sibling is booked up with them through 2014. And Ronaldinho apparently enjoys his current home of Milan, Italy much more than he did Paris.
Ronaldinho became a father in 2005 when his son Joao was born. The boy is named after his grandfather and his mother is Brazilian dancer Janaina Mendes. But, when it comes to soccer, where will he ultimately end up? Only Ronaldinho and Roberto know. But with his immense global popularity, it seems Ronaldinho would be a great fit on any team. Maybe some are already thinking, "what about the United States? - 23802
Ronaldinho was raised by his mother, Miguelina, and his brother and sisters after his father died when the boy was only eight years old. Ronaldinho earned his first cap with Brazilian club Gremio's senior team led by coach Celso Roth in 1999. Two years later, Arsenal FC began heavily recruiting Ronaldinho, but his inability to obtain a work permit thwarted this draft. Ronaldinho went on to sign a five-year contract with Paris Saint-Germain FC. Unfortunately, he seemed overwhelmed by his new success at his young age and was often said to pay more attention to the Parisian nightlife than to soccer practice. An unhappy Ronaldinho returned to Barcelona in 2004.
Ronaldinho and his talented teammates Ronald and Rivaldo mesmerized onlookers at the Copa America in Paraguay. Ronaldinho scored Brazil's fifth goal in their 7-0 trouncing of rival Venezuela. When Ronaldinho scored the game-winning goal off of an astounding 30-yard free kick which completely baffled England's goalie David Seaman at 2002's FIFA World Cup in Japan, he had made what has hence been known as the "Wonder Goal". Having taken the quarterfinal, his team eventually won the World Cup. Ronaldinho was rewarded by being named part of the all-tournament team.
Winning almost every possible award in soccer, Ronaldinho's prizes include the FIFA World Player of the Year in 2004 and 2005, and the UEFA's Champion League Award in 2006 in Barcelona-that year scoring seven goals in just twelve matches. In 2008, Sport Illustrated magazine put Ronaldinho in the top fifth wealthiest athletes at $37.5 million that included earnings, bonuses, endorsements, and appearances. Only Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, David Beckham, and Kimi Raikkonen beat him in earnings-quite the achievement for the twenty-eight year old.
Soccer fans and enthusiasts were saddened in the early summer of 2008 where, in his 200th match, Ronaldinho injured a muscle in his right leg that would bench him for the rest of the 2007-2008 season. Further complicating his injury situation, Ronaldinho's player situation looked bleak when he and his club fought over his choice to play in Bejing's Olympic games. After much squabble, Ronaldinho did strike a deal with the Italian Club AC Milan-a deal that would allow him to play in the Olympics alongside his countrymen.
Ronaldinho did turn down a $25.5 million offer from Manchester City to join AC Milan in a three-year contract-in Barcelona, he was receiving $21 million. Forced to lose his favorite jersey number 10, as it was being worm by Clarence Seedorf, he chose 80 for his year of birth. Proving just as valuable in Milan, he scored his first goal in a 1-0 victory over Internazionale in September of 2008.
Ronaldinho drove Milan into a 2-2 draw after they had fallen behind 2-0 against Sporting Braga in November 2008's UEFA Cup and then scored a match-winner in the 93rd minute of the match. Ronaldinho's brother Roberto has been driving his brother as his agent, and has gotten him endorsement after endorsement so that his great soccer playing sibling is booked up with them through 2014. And Ronaldinho apparently enjoys his current home of Milan, Italy much more than he did Paris.
Ronaldinho became a father in 2005 when his son Joao was born. The boy is named after his grandfather and his mother is Brazilian dancer Janaina Mendes. But, when it comes to soccer, where will he ultimately end up? Only Ronaldinho and Roberto know. But with his immense global popularity, it seems Ronaldinho would be a great fit on any team. Maybe some are already thinking, "what about the United States? - 23802
About the Author:
When you want a question answered about sports, be sure to visit http://nothingbutsports.info. Here you will find sports trivia, tips, quotations, and resources about all kinds of sports activities. Visit us today at Nothing But Sports.
No comments:
Post a Comment