His name Ronaldinho (IPA - Brazil: [χonɑuˈdʒĩɲu], USA: /ɹonɑulˈdino/), Portuguese for "little Ronaldo", was originally devised as a means of distinguishing between himself and fellow Brazilian footballer Ronaldo, with the additional title Ga�cho being used when the current Ronaldo was also known as Ronaldinho. Among his many achievements and accolades, Ronaldinho has been awarded the FIFA World Player of the Year award twice (2004, 2005), as well as the European Footballer of the Year award and the FIFPro World Player of the Year award (both 2005).[1] He has downplayed suggestions that he is the best footballer in the world, telling FourFourTwo magazine, "I don't even feel I'm the best at Bar�a.

Ronaldinho was born on March 21, 1980 in Vila Nova, a poor suburb of Porto Alegre, Brazil. He was the youngest of three children. Ronaldinho's mother Miguelina is a former salesperson who later studied to become a nurse. His father Jo�o was a shipyard worker and amateur footballer for Cruzeiro. The family moved to a more affluent district of Porto Alegre when Ronaldinho's older brother Roberto signed to play professional football for Gr�mio. Jo�o died when Ronaldinho was 8, after suffering a heart attack while swimming in the family's pool. Injuries ended Roberto's career prematurely, and he now manages Ronaldinho. Ronaldinho's sister Deisi works as his press coordinator.[3][4] Ronaldinho's son, named Jo�o after his father, was born on 25 February, 2005. Jo�o's mother is Jana�na Nattielle Viana Mendes, a former dancer on the Brazilian television show Doming�o do Faust�o.[5]

In his childhood, Ronaldinho's skill in football began to blossom due to his particular interest in futsal and beach football, which later developed into a fondness for more standardised football. His first brush with the media came after a 23 goal flurry against a local team, at just 13 years of age.[2] His reputation as a footballer was built up through his childhood, particularly since he was a prolific goalscorer in the Egypt 1997 under-17 world championship. His stylish play at the tournament also caught the eye of many.

He is a huge fan of Brazilian music, and occasionally plays the drums and sings with friends in Barcelona.

Ronaldinho was introduced into the Brazilian national team in 1999. He debuted for the national team on June 26, 1999 against Latvia. In his first tournament participation he scored against Venezuela in the 1999 Copa Am�rica, a game that the Brazilian team won.

Ronaldinho played a part in Brazil's successful 2002 campaign to win the World Cup. One of the highlights of the tournament was a 35-metre free kick he scored against England in the quarter-finals in Shizuoka. He was sent off soon after for a foul on Danny Mills. Following the sending-off, he was suspended for the semifinal, but returned to Brazil's starting line-up for the 2-0 victory over Germany in the final.

On June 29, 2005, he played a pivotal role as the captain of the Brazilian squad that won its second FIFA Confederations Cup title, and was named Man of the Match in a 4�1 victory over Argentina in the final. Pel� named Ronaldinho in his 125 Top Living Footballers in March 2004.