End of an era: Ronalinho retires
He also spent three more seasons in Europe with AC Milan between 2008 and 2011 before returning to Brazil. He then played with Flamengo and Atletico Minero later on.
Ronaldinho, the Brazilian World Cup winner formally confirmed his retirement from his professional football career, reports in Brazil on Tuesday. The 37 years old former Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona star, a key member of the Brazil side which won the World Cup in 2002 has last appeared on 2015 with Fluminense.
His brother and agent Roberto Assis said he would not play anymore and would now concentrate on tribute events.
2006 #UCL winner Ronaldinho has retired from football ???? pic.twitter.com/EJTHCqcoFd
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) January 16, 2018
"He stopped, we're going to do something really big, nice, after the World Cup in Russia, probably in August, we'll do several events in Brazil, Europe and Asia, and of course, we're watching a game with the Brazilian team," said Assis
Assis has added that several series of tribute matches are being planned to allow fans around the world to bid farewell to the former player.
Ronaldinho has retired.
— Ball Street (@BallStreet) January 17, 2018
We'll probably never see a player like that again. One of a kind.
Here he is getting a standing ovation from Madrid fans in the Bernabeu after ripping them to shreds. pic.twitter.com/wqX7RJEdkK
Ronaldinho whose career started with Gremio in Porto Alegre, his hometown has emerged in his International career by signing up with French giants PSG. He has spent five years with Barcelona between 2003 and 2008, helping the Catalans to win the Champions League in 2006.
He also spent three more seasons in Europe with AC Milan between 2008 and 2011 before returning to Brazil. He then played with Flamengo and Atletico Minero later on.
???? @10Ronaldinho.
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) January 16, 2018
Camp Nou’s ever-smiling magician.
Thanks for everything! pic.twitter.com/XBm3J2jgzz
A season with Queretaro in Mexico was followed by his return to Brazil and Fluminense, where he played seven times before cutting his contract. Ronaldinho has appeared 97 times for Brazil, scoring 33 goals, including two in the World Cup in Japan and South Korea.
Ronaldinho in his glittering career won major trophies both at club and individual level
- 2 – La Liga
- 2 – Supercopa de Espana
- 1 – World Cup
- 1 – Copa America
- 1 - Confederations Cup
- 1 – Champions League
- 1 – Serie A
- 1 – Copa Libertadores
- 2 – FIFA World Player of the Year
- 1 – Ballon d'Or
- 1 – South American Footballer of the Year
- 1 – 1999 Confederations Cup Golden Ball