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RonaldinioBrazilian footballer
Date of Birth: 21.03.1980
Country:  Brazil |
Content:
Biography of Ronaldinho
Ronaldinho, a Brazilian footballer, played as an attacking midfielder and forward. He was the winner of the "Golden Ball" (2005), awarded to the best European footballer. He was also named the FIFA World Player of the Year in 2004 and 2005. Ronaldinho played for Brazilian clubs such as Grêmio, Flamengo, Atlético Mineiro, Fluminense, French club Paris Saint-Germain, Spanish club Barcelona, Italian club Milan, and Mexican club Querétaro.
Early Life
Ronaldinho was born on March 21, 1980, in the São Lucas Hospital in Porto Alegre, the capital of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. He was the third child in his family. His mother, Dona Miguelina, worked as a saleswoman and studied to become a nurse. His father, João da Silva Moreira, worked as a shipyard worker and as a security guard for Grêmio. He had previously played for a local amateur team called "Cruzeiro." It was his father who became Ronaldinho's first coach, teaching him how to play football on the streets of Vila Nova, where the family lived.
In 1987, Ronaldinho began his education at the Alberto Torres de Vila Nova College. However, his love for football took over, as he could play it all day long. Even when his friends couldn't continue playing due to exhaustion, he would continue playing with his dog, Bombon. At the age of 7, Ronaldinho joined the Languiru football school, where he received his nickname, "Ronaldinho," which means "little Ronaldo." He was the youngest player in the youngest team of Grêmio, the club he joined.
In 1988, when Ronaldinho was 8 years old, his father passed away from a heart attack while swimming in the family pool. When his older brother, Roberto de Assis, signed a contract with Grêmio, the family moved to the more prestigious neighborhood of Guaruja in Porto Alegre. The house in this area was a gift from Grêmio to the family, to prevent Roberto from leaving the team. Ronaldinho later said, "My brother is a real hero to me. He became an example as a father, brother, and footballer."
Football Career
In 1991, Ronaldinho started playing for the Belo Horizonte team. Alongside professional football, he also played futsal and beach football, which helped him in regular football matches. In 1993, at the age of 13, Ronaldinho was mentioned in the Brazilian media for the first time when he scored all 23 goals in a match against a local team. The game ended with a score of 23-0 in favor of Belo Horizonte.
Personal Life
Ronaldinho's brother, Roberto, serves as his personal agent, and his sister, Daisy, coordinates media relations. In 2001, Ronaldinho made a cameo appearance in the TV series "Clone."
On February 25, 2005, Ronaldinho became a father as his son was born. They named him João, in honor of Ronaldinho's late father. The son was born to dancer Janaina Nattielle Viana Mendes from the club "Domingan de Faustan." On April 6, 2019, 14-year-old João Mendes signed a contract with the football club Cruzeiro. On August 27, 2007, Ronaldinho and his brother obtained Spanish citizenship.
In December 2020, Ronaldinho's mother, Miguelina, was hospitalized with complications caused by COVID-19. Several months later, she passed away, unable to overcome the illness.
Legal Troubles
In July 2019, 57 properties belonging to Ronaldinho, along with his Brazilian and Spanish passports, were confiscated due to unpaid taxes and fines. Eventually, a judge reduced the fine from 8.5 million to 6 million reais for the construction of a fishing platform on the Guaiiba River in a "protected" area. Ronaldinho and his brother failed to pay the fines within the given time, and their passports were suspended.
In March 2020, Ronaldinho was questioned by the Paraguayan police after allegedly using a fake passport to enter the country when he came for a charity event and book promotion. Ronaldinho and his brother were detained in the country's prison. While in prison, he participated in a futsal tournament, in which his team emerged victorious. In the final, they won 11-2, with Ronaldinho scoring 5 goals and assisting the remaining 6. He attempted to appeal the detention order but was ordered to remain under house arrest with his brother. On August 24, 2020, Ronaldinho and his brother were released from the Paraguayan prison after their judge agreed to a guilty plea deal of $90,000 for Ronaldinho and $110,000 for his brother.
