Ronaldo de Assis Moreira, born March 21st, 1980 in Porto Alegre, Brazil, has risen to become one of soccer's greatest players. The 5'11", 177-lb "Ronaldinho" began wowing spectators back in 1999 with his amazing mastery at the forward position. He began his amateur soccer career by following the path of his father Joao. Here he honed his talents by playing beach and indoor ("futbal") soccer.

Ronaldo de Assis Moreira, born March 21st, 1980 in Porto Alegre, Brazil, has risen to become one of soccer's greatest players. The 5'11", 177-lb "Ronaldinho" began wowing spectators back in 1999 with his amazing mastery at the forward position. He began his amateur soccer career by following the path of his father Joao. Here he honed his talents by playing 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.

Early summer of 2008 saw Ronaldinho injure a muscle in his right leg while playing in his 200th match. Much to the dismay of spectators and fans around the world, he would be benched for the remainder of the season. But not ending there, Ronaldinho's troubles looked worse when he and his club argued about his decision to play in the Bejing Olympic games. But after the dust had settled, Ronaldinho sealed a deal with the Italian Club AC Milan. This allowed him to play in the Olympics beside 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.

Against Sporting Braga in the November 2008 UEFA Cup, Ronaldinho got Milan inot a 2-2 draw after they had fallen behind 2-0 when he scored a match-winner in the 93rd minute. His brother Roberto has been quite the force as Ronaldinho's brother Roberto has acted as his brother's agent and already brought him more endorsements for him that are booked up through 2014. Ronaldinho seems in better spirits these days in Milan, Italy.

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?

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