Ronaldinho was the joyful genius of his era, a Brazilian whose flair, invention and infectious enthusiasm made him the most captivating footballer in the world at his peak. Blessed with astonishing close control and a repertoire of tricks, he played with a smile that seemed to reflect the sheer pleasure he took in the game.
He first lit up European football at Paris Saint-Germain before moving to Barcelona, where he inspired a revival, won the Ballon d’Or and led the club to the Champions League. A World Cup winner with Brazil in 2002, he combined outrageous skill with decisive end product, and his elastic dribbling and audacious free-kicks made him a showman without equal.