He’s one of the best in a long line of Brazilian stars. One of the most exciting players of this decade. His highlight reels are absurd. But the things he is most known for is his child-like presence on the pitch and one of the most contagious smiles that the world has ever seen.
The problem: What have you done lately Ronaldinho? Where have you gone? 
Ronaldinho Gaúcho made a name for himself long before he donned the jersey of one of Europe’s elite clubs. His skills blossomed at an early age in Brazil, where at the age of 13 he once scored 23 goals in a 23-0 win over another local team. He is one of few Brazilians to compete at every international age level. He was an instrumental part of Brazil’s attack in his first World Cup in 2002 as the yellow and blue hoisted the trophy after dispatching Germany 2-0 in the final.
The following year, after Paris Saint-Germain FC failed to qualify for any European competition, the Brazilian demanded a transfer and eventually got his way, heading to FC Barcelona where he became the face of the team and soon enough, arguably the most popular player in the world.
With back-to-back FIFA Player of the Year awards in 2004 and 2005, and leading Barça to a Champions League title in the 2004-2005 season, fans knew what to expect. Trickery that left defenders awestruck and in disbelief; brilliant goals, and most of all, wins. He was expected to lead the “magic quartet” of Adriano, Kaká, and Robinho to another World Cup title in 2006, but he was virtually non-existent as Brazil was knocked out of the competition by France. The quartet only managed three goals in five games.
Upon his return to Brazil, a statue of him in Chapecó was vandalized as he took the brunt of the criticism for the Brazil’s abysmal effort in Germany. Later that year he finished third in the FIFA Player of the Year award voting. It would’ve been a good showing for most, but not a guy who just won the last two going away. He finished with a stellar campaign in 2006-2007, just trying to put the World Cup disaster behind him.
An injury plagued 2007-2008, where he only saw action in 26 matches, capped off with a muscle tear in his right leg on April 3 has left fans wondering where Ronaldinho is at in his career. On May 19, he wanted to find a “new challenge” to revive what appeared to be his fading career. During the summer he joined AC Milan despite interest from Manchester City. It may turn out to be a wise decision as the physicality of the English game could have worn him down much more quickly.
Wanting to see how fit Ronaldinho was (his biggest question mark), Milan happily agreed to let him play for his country in the Beijing Olympics as he had expressed his desire for Olympic gold even before the move to Italy. At times he looked like his old-self, while at others he looked like the Ronaldinho of the past year where he would’ve been better off on the bench. The flashes showed Milan that he still has it in him to do great things, but his fitness is still lacking. Less than five months removed from the muscle tear in his leg could have resulted in that, but questions about his off-field antics are still floating around. Rumors about late nights at the club fueled speculation about his dwindling fitness.
If there is any truth to this, here’s a tip: train, train, and train some more and for the sake of your career STOP hitting the clubs. Fans follow the great athletes, not those who still have it but refuse to use it and let themselves go. He may have been the world’s most popular player, but things change and his former teammate and international rival Lionel Messi has not only caught him, but has surpassed him as the better draw.
So Ronaldinho, step it up before you end up like the overweight Brazilian striker that tried to save his career with the same club you are. You’re already 28 so use what you have left before it’s gone and you end up finishing your career like him.
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