Brazilian 2002 FIFA World Cup Winner Ronaldinho Retires From Football

Ronaldinho represented Brazil in 97 matches and scored 33 goals. He took part in the 2002 and 2006 FIFA World Cups and formed a devastating attacking partnership with Ronaldo and Rivaldo. A versatile footballer, Ronaldinho played as an attacking midfielder, winger and forward.

Brazilian World Cup winner Ronaldo de Assis Moreira, popularly known as Ronaldinho, has retired from football. “He has stopped, it is ended. Let’s do something pretty big and nice after the Russia World Cup, probably in August. We will do various events in Brazil, Europe and Asia and, of course, we are arranging something with the Brazilian team as well,” his brother and agent Roberto Assis announced on Tuesday to Brazilian newspaper O Globo.

The 37-year-old champion footballer was part of the Brazilian team which won the 2002 World Cup defeating Germany held in South Korea and Japan. In a glittering career Ronaldinho also won the Champions League with Barcelona in 2006. He had also bagged the Balon d’Or in 2005. He was also named in the FIFA 100 compiled by legendary Brazilian striker Pele in 2004.

Ronaldinho represented Brazil in 97 matches and scored 33 goals. He took part in the 2002 and 2006 FIFA World Cups and formed a devastating attacking partnership with Ronaldo and Rivaldo. A versatile footballer, Ronaldinho played as an attacking midfielder, winger and forward.

His started playing competitive football for Brazilian club Gremio Foot-Ball Porto Alegrense (Gremio) in 1987. He later moved to the Gremio senior team in 1998 and then went to Europe to play for French club Paris St-Germain in 2001. After two years at Paris St-Germain, Ronaldinho moved to Spanish club Barcelona where he played some of his best football winning two La Liga titles too.

His European stint also included playing for Italy’s AC Milan from 2008 to 2011. He returned to Brazil in 2011 as part of Flamengo. He also played for Atletico Mineiro, Queretaro in Mexico and Fluminense. His last competitive match was in 2015.