ronaldinho smile and biography

As part of our 100 Best Players special, the two-time World Player of the Year, talked to us about being fat, becoming the best and the finest five players in the whole world...
The last time FourFourTwo talked to Ronaldinho, he said he’d speak English when we next did an interview. But when we meet and remind him at a photo shoot for FIFA 08, the latest instalment of EA Sports’ gaming phenomenon, a look of horror envelopes his face. “No,” he gasps, “we can’t. I’ve not learnt any.” So we stick to Spanish.

By common consent, the last 12 months have not been great for the Brazilian genius. At the World Cup, he – and his team – failed to get out of second gear; he lost his World Player of the Year title to Fabio Cannavaro; and Barcelona ended the season empty-handed.

Yet reports of Ronaldinho’s demise have certainly been exaggerated. After all, his 21 league goals were more than Cristiano Ronaldo managed, while the Barcelona playmaker has lost none of his athleticism – witness the wonderful overhead kick against Villarreal – flair or pinpoint passing.

Still, he’s got a point to prove this season, not least after reports that he was out of shape last year. “It irritated me because it’s simply not true,” he says, the smile for once slipping from his face. “People can take a photo that shows you in a different light, shows you looking heavier. Ask the people at Barça and they will tell you that I’m as fit and as strong as I’ve ever been.”

He admits, it’s tough at the top – “Of course, a defender wants to play well against me because it makes them seem like a better player. It increases their value, boosts their ego” – but he’s ready to reclaim the No.1 spot this season. In the meantime, we asked him to tell us about his own top five players in the world.

Cristiano Ronaldo
He dribbles a lot and has great style. I love to watch him go one-on-one against a player because he confuses defenders. He has great balance, speed, strength and acceleration. I see Manchester United on television: they are a great attacking team and I love to watch Cristiano because he’s improved tremendously in the past two years. People have noticed and that’s why I now talk of him alongside the greatest players. A player cannot have responsibility for the whole team and he is more of a team player now, less selfish. But he still provides moments of skill which can change a game. Every top team needs a player who can do this, but Cristiano has improved because he brings players like Rooney into play. If there’s a wall, he doesn’t always run into it. I like the dynamic between Rooney and Ronaldo too – they’re so different, yet very talented.

Lionel Messi
Messi’s even younger and he’s already reached the highest level. His progress is incredible. And when a Brazilian says that about an Argentinian, it’s a huge compliment! Messi has become as important to Barça as any player; when he’s injured, the team misses him. Have you seen his goals? Wow. Defenders don’t know how to take him. He’s so quick and keeps the ball so close to his feet that they have to foul him. And if they foul him close to the area, we get a free-kick. Messi brings something different to our team. He can receive the ball with his back to goal, turn and burst past three players. He’ll then pass the ball and get into a great position to receive it back. When I think of Leo, I smile.

Kaka
I knew he was a great player for many years because I saw him developing as a youngster at Sao Paulo. Milan have many great players, but Kaka was the key player in the side that won the Champions League. I was very happy for him because he’s worked hard and he’s a great professional. He went to places like Manchester, in front of all those English fans and great rival players, but he was not overawed. He was the best player on the pitch, always moving forward with such grace and ready to score important goals. You asked me to name five players and I wouldn’t have named any of the three that I’ve said so far a year ago. Top 10 maybe, but not top five. Now Kaka is the complete player.

Thierry Henry
He’s played at such a high level for so long and the consistency of his goal record is incredible, but he is so much more than a goalscorer. He can play in different positions and improves all the players around him. He’s a good person too. Arsenal became one of the best teams in Europe and Thierry Henry was a major reason for that. Before we played them in the Champions League final, we identified him as the player who could give us the most problems. And now it’s great that he is with us. Everyone wants to play with the great players.

Deco
Someone with a little bit of everything, a very complete player. He supports me and is always there if I need to pass to him. He can play, but – and people forget this – defending is a very important part to his game. Maybe he’s not a great tackler, but he’s a good defender who comes back. He’s a team player, Deco. Do I wish he played for Brazil? I still tell him that he’s not good enough to play for Brazil!