7 little known facts about Brazil legend Ronaldinho

Ronaldinho has scored more than 200 goals in his career for club and country. 
Ronaldinho has scored more than 200 goals in his career for club and country. 
Ronaldinho has scored more than 200 goals in his career for club and country. 
Ronaldinho has scored more than 200 goals in his career for club and country.

One of the most recognisable names in football history, Ronaldinho burst onto the international scene as a teenager at the 1997 FIFA Under-17 World Cup where he became famous for his Brazillian flair and trickery.

Leading his country to World Cup glory in 2002, Ronaldinho was twice voted World Player of the Year and has enjoyed a stellar career playing for the likes of Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan.

Returning to Brazil in 2011, Ronaldinho played for Flamengo and Atlético Mineiro before he enjoyed a short spell at Querétaro in Mexico. Again returning to play for Fluminense, Ronaldinho became a free agent after a series of poor performances and has since been the centre of constant speculation about where his next club may be.

Here are 7 facts you may not have known about the Brazil legend.


#1 He once scored every goal in a 23-0 win

A young Ronaldinho once scored every goal in a 23-0 win over a local Brazilian side.
A young Ronaldinho once scored every goal in a 23-0 win over a local Brazilian side.

Ronaldinho's talent wasn’t exactly hard to spot. At the tender age of 13 he knocked 23 goals past a side in his local youth league which resulted in his first brush with the media.

The Brazilian was later selected for the Gremio youth squad before he starred for Brazil in the Under-17 World Cup. While he never achieved the same feats in his professional career, he can certainly be proud of his efforts as he went on to score multiple hat-tricks for both club and country.

#2 His Nike commercial was the first YouTtube video to reach 1 million views

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We’ve all seen it. The 2005 Nike advert which saw Ronaldinho try on a new pair of boots before smashing the crossbar four times without letting the ball touch the ground.

The advertisement was described by Nike as the video which “broke the internet”, and it was later confirmed as the first video to reach 1 million views on Youtube. While there was much speculation regarding the authenticity of the video, we can call agree that Ronaldinho’s juggling skills were second to none.

Now more than 10 years old, Nike celebrated the anniversary of the video by releasing a remastered version of the video along with a limited edition line of “Golden Touch” boots.

#3 Ronaldinho REALLY loves his cars

A rare photo of Ronaldinho with his $1.8 million Bugatti Veyron.

It is not unusual for rich athletes to drive fancy cars, but Ronaldinho’s collection of luxurious rides takes it to the next level. Among the cars in his collection are an Audi Q7, a Hummer 2 and a $1.3 million Bugatti Veyron, the latter being one of the fastest cars on the planet with a top speed of 253 miles per hour, a W16 engine and 1001 horsepower.

With a net worth of $90 million, we wonder if Ronaldinho will continue to add to his collection as part of his birthday celebrations.

#4 Ronaldinho was applauded by Real Madrid fans at the Bernabeu

In what is a normally an extremely hostile atmosphere, Ronaldinho became the first Barcelona player since Diego Maradona to be applauded at the Bernabeu after he tore Real Madrid apart during the Clasico in 2005.

Ronaldinho was in dazzling form on the day and absolutely destroyed the Galacticos defence. As a sign of respect to Ronaldinho, Real Madrid fans stood up and applauded the Brazilian after he ran through the Madrid defence to score his second goal and put Barcelona 3-0 up.

In what was a truly unique event, the show of respect by Madrid fans truly demonstrated the talent Ronaldinho possessed at his peak.

#5 Ronaldinho rejected a move to top of the table Leicester City

Ronaldinho could have been wearing the blue of Leicester City but decided to turn down the move
Ronaldinho could have been wearing the blue of Leicester City but decided to turn down the move

There have been plenty of rumours about Ronaldinho joining the English Premier League over the years, with one particular rumour claiming the player was “on the brink” of joining Manchester United in 2003 before he was persuaded by the then Barcelona president to head to the Camp Nou.

More recently, however, it was claimed by Mundo Deportivo that Ronaldinho rejected a move to Leicester City in January in the hope he would receive a more lucrative offer from China.

With the Foxes sitting top of the Premier League table and looking more likely than ever to win the league, we wonder if Ronaldinho regrets this decision that could have got him a winner’s medal.

#6 Ronaldinho lost a six-figure Coca-Cola Sponsorship after he drank Pepsi during a press conference

Ronaldinho lost a lucrative $750,000 contract with Coca-Cola after he was spotted with Pepsi cans at a press conference.
Ronaldinho lost a lucrative $750,000 contract with Coca-Cola after he was spotted with Pepsi cans at a press conference.

In what was a truly comical tale of events, Ronaldinho lost a lucrative $750,000 sponsorship deal with Coca-Cola after he was pictured with rival beverage Pepsi at a press conference.

While the deal was initially intended to run through the 2014 World Cup, it was cancelled less than a year after it was signed due to a breach of contract.

While it is most likely the star forward was only pictured with the drink as Pepsi were the sponsor of his then club Atletico Mineiro, Coca-Cola wasn't happy and ended the contract shortly after.

#7 Ronaldinho launched his own brand of club-themed condoms

Ronaldinho released his own brand of club-themed condoms named “Sex Free”
Ronaldinho released his own brand of club-themed condoms named “Sex Free”

With the likes of David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo and many other footballers endorsing their own branded products, Ronaldinho decided he too would try his hand at the entrepreneurship game by releasing his own brand of club-themed condoms.

Named Sex Free, the box featured the badge of his former club Atletico Mineiro, along with a picture of the main man himself and his signature. Carrying the slogan, “Eu sou Galo”, the phrase means "I am Galo" with Galo being a nickname for the Brazilian club.

Funnily enough, Galo also translates to 'rooster', which also translates to, well, you know...

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Edited by Staff Editor