Sports • Soccer

Ronaldinho

Ronaldinho is the professional name of Ronaldo de Assis Moreira, a Brazilian former footballer born on 21 March 1980 in Porto Alegre, Brazil.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Ronaldinho is the professional name of Ronaldo de Assis Moreira, a Brazilian former footballer born on 21 March 1980 in Porto Alegre, Brazil. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time and is best known for his achievements with Brazil and clubs including Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona, and Milan. He won the 2002 FIFA World Cup with Brazil and received two FIFA World Player of the Year awards and a Ballon d'Or.

Early life

Ronaldinho was born Ronaldo de Assis Moreira on 21 March 1980 in Porto Alegre, Brazil. He came from a footballing family and developed into one of the most celebrated players of his generation.

Club career

He played for clubs including Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1, Barcelona, AC Milan, and teams in Brazil, and later appeared in other clubs after his peak European career. He is especially associated with Barcelona, where he became a global star.

International career

Ronaldinho was a key member of Brazil's national team, including the squad that won the 2002 FIFA World Cup. He also won major international honours such as the Copa América and Confederations Cup.

Legal issues

In March 2020, Ronaldinho and his brother were detained in Paraguay for entering the country with false passports. BBC reported that they were held in custody before being transferred on bail while the investigation continued.

Key facts

Ronaldinho won the 2002 FIFA World Cup with Brazil.
He has won two FIFA World Player of the Year awards and a Ballon d'Or.
He played in top leagues in Brazil, France, Spain, and Italy.
He became especially famous for his dribbling, creativity, and attacking style of play.
He was arrested in Paraguay in 2020 over the use of false passports and later released on bail.

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Canadian context

Ronaldinho is widely known to Canadian soccer fans as one of the sport's most influential players and a major figure from the modern era of international football.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Ronaldinho?

Ronaldinho is the professional name of Ronaldo de Assis Moreira, a Brazilian former footballer known for his attacking skill and success with Brazil and major European clubs.

How old is Ronaldinho?

He was born on 21 March 1980, so he is 46 years old as of 23 July 2026.

What is Ronaldinho famous for?

He is famous for being one of football's greatest players, winning the 2002 World Cup, two FIFA World Player of the Year awards, and a Ballon d'Or.

Where did Ronaldinho play?

He played for clubs in Brazil, France, Spain, and Italy, with major spells at Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona, and Milan.

What happened to Ronaldinho?

After retirement, he remained a public figure but also faced legal trouble; in 2020 he was detained in Paraguay over false passports and later released on bail.

Is Ronaldinho in jail?

No. BBC reported that he was detained in Paraguay in 2020, then transferred to a hotel on bail while the investigation continued, so he was not reported as remaining in jail.

References

Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronaldinho
Supports: Birth name, birth date, nationality, positions, awards, and broad career overview.
Biography.com — https://www.biography.com/athlete/ronaldinho
Supports: Birth date, birthplace, and summary of his soccer career and accolades.
FC Barcelona — https://www.fcbarcelona.com/en/football/barca-legends/players/1493844/ronaldinho
Supports: Birth place and club association.
BBC Sport — https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/53677655
Supports: 2020 Paraguay detention, bail, and legal context.
Sky Sports — https://www.skysports.com/football/news/2373098/ronaldinho-profile
Supports: Birth date and profile information.