11 things you probably didn’t know about Ronaldinho

Ronaldinho Gaúcho isn’t just one of football’s greatest magicians –he’s also one of its most colorful characters, on and off the pitch.  Here are 11 things you probably didn’t know about Ronaldinho.

Ronaldinho’s love for football started young, thanks to his father. He received his first football as a toddler, and it didn’t take long for his natural talent to shine. By the age of 13, he made headlines by scoring 23 goals in a single match!

The name 'Ronaldinho' literally means 'little Ronaldo' in Portuguese. It was given to him early in his career to distinguish him from other Brazilian players named Ronaldo, particularly his fellow legend Ronaldo Nazário.

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Ronaldinho’s brand took off when he signed with Nike early in his career. His 2005 'Joga Bonito' ad campaign is still one of the most iconic football commercials ever. Remember the viral clip where he hits the crossbar repeatedly while juggling? It’s pure Ronaldinho magic.

Ronaldinho played a pivotal role in Brazil’s 2002 World Cup win. His legendary free-kick against England in the quarter-finals is still talked about today. Was it intentional or a lucky mistake? Only Ronaldinho knows – but either way, it was pure brilliance.

Despite earning millions during his career, Ronaldinho faced financial woes after retiring. In 2019, Brazilian authorities seized 57 properties and froze his bank accounts due to unpaid fines and debts, per Marca. At one point, reports claimed his accounts held less than €6 (£5/$6.50), which is hard to imagine for someone once worth over €83.5 million (£72.2 million/$90 million).

In 2020, Ronaldinho and his brother were arrested in Paraguay for entering the country with fake passports. The bizarre incident landed him in jail for 32 days before he was released under house arrest. Unsurprisingly, Ronaldinho won fans over in prison, reportedly organizing football games with inmates, according to Metro.

Even with his financial troubles, Ronaldinho has leveraged his fame to endorse a variety of products. From wine and watches to energy drinks and even condoms, his brand is as diverse as his playing style. He also launched his own eSports team, showing that his influence goes beyond football.

Yes, Ronaldinho even dabbled in cryptocurrency. In 2018, he launched his own digital currency called the 'Ronaldinho Soccer Coin,' which was part of a larger project to create football academies and VR stadiums. The project has since been accused of not delivering what it promised and labelled a scam, per Medium. 

Ronaldinho isn’t just skilled with a football – he’s got rhythm off the pitch too. After retiring, he pursued music, releasing a handful of songs and even collaborating with popular Brazilian artists. Football and samba? It doesn’t get more Brazilian than that.

Ronaldinho’s megawatt smile is as famous as his football skills. He’s said it comes from his upbringing in a close-knit family that always found reasons to celebrate, even in tough times. "There is not a single moment I can look back on as my happiest. I have had a career made of happy moments," he told Sport360. 

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