Brazilian legend Ronaldinho retires from professional football at the age of 38
Former Brazil and FC Barcelona midfielder Ronaldinho, who won the World Cup, Champions League, Copa Libertadores and World Player of the Year award, is retiring from the game.
His brother and agent Assis made the announcement on
Tuesday saying Ronaldinho, who will be 38 in March, has not played a
competitive match since 2015 but he had also avoided calling a
definitive halt to his career until now.
“He’s stopped. It’s over. We are going to do something pretty big,
something cool, after the World Cup in Russia, probably in August” Assis
said. The events, most likely farewell matches, will take place in
Brazil, Europe and Asia, and could include a match with the national
team, Assis said.
Ronaldinho began his career at Gremio and played for seven other
clubs, including Paris Saint-Germain, AC Milan, Queretaro and Brazilian
sides Flamengo, Atletico Mineiro and Fluminense. But it was at FC
Barcelona between 2003 and 2008 where he spent his glory years. He
turned in some of the greatest performances ever seen by the storied
Spanish club, perhaps most memorably in a 3-0 win over Real Madrid at
the Bernabeu in 2005.
He helped guide the Catalan side to the Champions League in 2006, La
Liga in 2005 and 2006 and won the Ballon D’Or in 2005. Ronaldinho left
for Milan in 2008 and won the scudetto there in 2011, before heading
back to Brazil and taking Atletico Mineiro to their first Copa
Libertadores title in 2013.
He never again reached the heights he scaled at Barca for prolonged
periods. However, he remained a captivating presence, known for his
no-look passes, superb free kicks and free-wheeling style that typified
the way Brazilians play the game. He played 101 times for Brazil,
scoring 35 goals including a 40-yard free kick which knocked England out
the 2002 World Cup.
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