Birth Date: 21 March 1980
Birth Place: Porto Alegre
Birth Nation: Brazil
Height: 180cm
Weight: 76Kg
Nationality: Brazilian
Position: Forward
Previous Clubs: Gremio, Paris Saint Germain
Ronaldinho - or little Ronaldo, made such a huge impact as a teenager that Paris Saint- Germain broke the world record transfer fee for a teenager to bring him to the club.
He is a regular for Brazil and was one of their stars during the 2002 World Cup win. He scored a freak goal against England and generally played well but was slightly overshadowed by the other two R's, Ronaldo and Rivaldo.
He left PSG this summer to join Barca after being courted by many of the biggest clubs in Europe, eventually choosing the Catalan giants over English giants Manchester United.
He made his international debut v Latvia in June 1999. He joined PSG from Gremio for ?3.6m, but suffered from regular bouts of unprofessionalism and bad behaviour. He was indifferent if he felt that the match wasn't a 'big' enough match for him, but during the big games he was magnificent.
Like any footballer these days he spent most of his time in night clubs and strip joints, and complained regularly about coach Luis Fernandes' tactics and man-management. He even threatened to quit the club unless Fernandes was sacked.
Ronaldinho Rumours and Transfers
27 10 2007
Emmanuel Adebayor may well be enjoying his best season since moving to Arsenal, but he has told Gunners fans he intends to be a world-beater.
Adebayor has scored six league goals already this season, leaving him needing just another three to surpass his previous best tally of eight in an Arsenal jersey.
The Togo international could be heard singing the praises of Theo Walcott earlier in the week, predicting the teenager can surpass Thierry Henry, and Adebayor intends to achieve similar superstar status himself.
"In the game I'm very good," he told The Mail.
"I'm strong, I'm fast, I can jump high, my passing is good, my holding of the ball is per ... at the moment is very good. I nearly said perfect. But nothing is perfect, and I still need to work more on my finishing. I'm not saying I'm going to be the best player in the world, but I am going to be among them. When you talk to young players they all want to be Kaka, Ronaldinho, Henry. Their ambition is to be big and my ambition is to be big.'
A facet of Adebayor's game is his pace, which he reveals is only inferior to Armand Traore in the current Arsenal squad.
The powerful striker's performances have earned him comparisons to Chelsea's Didier Drogba, comparisons Adebayor is pleased to hear.
"A lot of people are saying that and it's a good thing, because Didier is one of the best," he added.
22 10 2007
Italy are dominating the Golden Ball list of 50 candidates with eight players, while Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona each contributed seven names on the list.
- Golden Ball 2007 nominees:
Éric Abidal (Olympique Lyon, FC Barcelona)
Daniel Alves (FC Sevilla)
David Beckham (Real Madrid, Los Angeles Galaxy)
Dimitar Berbatov (Tottenham)
Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus Turin)
Fabio Cannavaro (Real Madrid)
Iker Casillas (Real Madrid)
Petr Cech (Chelsea)
Rogerio Ceni (Sao Paulo)
Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)
Deco (FC Barcelona)
Mahamadou Diarra (Real Madrid)
Diego (Werder Bremen)
Didier Drogba (Chelsea)
Michael Essien (Chelsea)
Samuel Eto'o (FC Barcelona)
Francesc Fabregas (Arsenal)
Gennaro Gattuso (Milan)
Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)
Ryan Giggs (Manchester United)
Thierry Henry (Arsenal, FC Barcelona)
Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Inter)
Filippo Inzaghi (Milan)
Kaka (Milan)
Frederic Kanoute (FC Sevilla)
Miroslav Klose (Werder Bremen, Bayern Munchen)
Younis Mahmoud (Algharafa)
Paolo Maldini (Milan)
Florent Malouda (Olympique Lyon, Chelsea)
Lionel Messi (FC Barcelona)
Shunsuke Nakamura (Celtic Glasgow)
Guillermo Ochoa (America Mexico)
Andrea Pirlo (Milan),
Ricardo Quaresma (FC Porto),
Raul (Real Madrid)
Franck Ribery (Olympique Marseille, Bayern Munchen),
Juan Roman Riquelme (Boca Juniors, Villarreal)
Robinho (Real Madrid)
Ronaldinho (FC Barcelona)
Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)
Paul Scholes (Manchester United)
Clarence Seedorf (Milan)
Carlos Tevez (West Ham, Manchester United)
Luca Toni (Fiorentina, Bayern Munchen)
Kolo Toure (Arsenal)
Jose Fernando Torres (Atletico Madrid, Liverpool)
Francesco Totti (AS Roma)
Ruud van Nistelrooy (Real Madrid)
Robin van Persie (Arsenal)
David Villa (Valencia)
22 10 2007
Rangers defender Carlos Cuellar has warned Barcelona they are "in for a shock" if they consider victory at Ibrox on Tuesday evening to be a formality.
The Catalan giants arrive in Glasgow later today ahead of the Champions League Group E clash.
They and Rangers both have 100% records after two games so far, and Madrid-born Cuellar is determined it will be Walter Smith's side, rather than the team coached by Frank Rijkaard, who preserve their winning run.
Cuellar told the Daily Record: "If Barca think they can just turn up here and win the game they are in for a shock because we are capable of giving them a tough night on Tuesday."
With their rich resources of talent, Cuellar accepts Barcelona will be a big threat to the home side whatever team they send out.
Deco is injured and out for five weeks, but Ronaldinho is expected to be involved despite being short of form lately, while Argentinian Lionel Messi can be unplayable for any defence.
Cuellar said: "Barca have 1,000 good points although we can win the game from our set-pieces and from counter attacks. I know how good they are, particularly Messi, but I still think we will beat them."
21 10 2007
Ronaldinho has been recalled to the Barcelona squad for Tuesday's UEFA Champions League clash with Rangers.
The Brazilian superstar was left out of Barcelona's squad for Saturday's defeat to Villarreal after returning late from international duty.
Barca boss Frank Rijkaard has decided to recall the classy playmaker for the trip to Glasgow as they look to bounce back from the 3-1 defeat at Villarreal.
The Catalan titans will be without Portuguese ace Deco after he sustained a thigh problem against Villarreal, which is expected to sideline him for up to five weeks.
Samuel Eto'o, Gianluca Zambrotta, Edmilson, Rafael Marquez and Yaya Toure are all still missing for Barca and they have not been included in the 18-man squad for the trip to Scotland.
20 10 2007
Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard has not named Ronaldinho in his squad for tonight's clash with Villarreal.
The Brazilian was absent from training on Friday and has been excluded from the party for Saturday's match, but Rijkaard revealed that his illustrious number 10 may yet join up with the squad for the trip to face Manuel Pellegrini's side.
"He has yet to arrive. Above all, I would like to speak to him and evaluate his physical condition after so much travelling. If he feels good, we may travel with 19 players," Rijkaard said on Friday.
Mexico forward Giovani Dos Santos played against Guatemala on Wednesday, but was back in time for training on Friday and may replace Ronaldinho against Villarreal.
"He is here and had a light training session to recover (from the journey)," Rijkaard said.
The Dutch coach refused to reveal whether the Mexican, or Spanish starlet Bojan Krkic, will start if Ronaldinho is rested.
"Any player training with the first team can start at any time. They are all prepared, but it depends on the circumstances," he said.
18 10 2007
Barcelona's Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o has been granted Spanish citizenship, after swearing allegiance to the country's constitution.
It means 24-year-old Ivory Coast midfielder Yaya Toure is now the Catalan side's only non-EU player.
It follows Brazil's Ronaldinho and Mexican Giovanni Dos Santos becoming EU citizens back in August.
The Spanish football federation's move to consider Africans as EU players may make the changes of status unnecessary.
This follows the Spanish parliament's ratification in April last year of the Cotonou Accord, which was signed in 2000.
The agreement means workers from 77 African, Caribbean and Pacific nations can be treated as guest workers under European Union designation.
Eto'o, who is expected to be sidelined until December after undergoing surgery on an injured tendon in his right thigh, joined Barcelona from Mallorca in 2004.
The Cameroon striker helped the team win the Champions League in 2006 and the Spanish league in 2005 and 2006.
The 26-year-old began his career with Real Madrid and had loan spells with Leganes and Espanyol.
He has been voted Africa's top player three times.
18 10 2007
Newcastle target Edmilson admits he will not be signing a new contract at Barcelona.
The Brazilian international moved to Camp Nou in 2004 and helped them to UEFA Champions League glory in 2006.
However, his time with the Catalan giants has been dogged by injury, including two serious knee ligament problems - one which ruled him out of the 2006 World Cup finals.
He is currently recovering from a summer operation on his knee and is not expected to return to fitness until January.
The 31-year-old was targeted by both AC Milan and Newcastle in the summer and English sources continue to suggest that he could move to Tyneside as early as January.
But the player himself seems set on regaining his fitness first.
"I am training hard to get physically fit and will be until the end of my contract," he told the media in Brazil.
"Personally I know that this is my last season at Barcelona. I want to be able to play again without feeling pain. I couldn't show the best of me last year but now I am a little bit better. Unfortunately I haven't been able to repeat yet at Barcelona the good performance that I had at Lyon."
Edmilson confirmed that he was close to joining Milan in the summer.
"Before the season began, I was approached by the people from Milan - there was a possibility but my knee was not good," he admitted.
Meanwhile, Barca striker Samuel Eto'o has been granted a Spanish passport.
La Liga rules state that clubs can only have three non-EU players in their squads.
Barca now only have one non-EU player in their squad, Yaya Toure, as both Ronaldinho and Giovani dos Santos were also granted Spanish citizenship earlier this year.
17 10 2007
Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas has insisted Barcelona star Ronaldinho would prove a big hit in The Premier League.
The Brazilian's star has dimmed in the last year, but he is still widely regarded as one of the best players on the planet.
Barca have always maintained they have no intention of selling Ronaldinho, but he has been linked with the likes of Chelsea and Milan of late.
Fabregas, who has proved a big hit in England following his move from Barcelona as a teenager, is of the opinion that great players can adapt to new conditions and has backed Ronaldinho to flourish – should he leave Camp Nou.
'It is different football and you never know what can happen, but he is a talented footballer and can adapt anywhere,' Fabregas told El Mundo Deportivo.
'Ronaldinho has the qualities to play anywhere he wants to. You have to respect what he has done in the last five years. He made the club shine in an incredible way, he has been an incredible signing who has pleased fans all over the world and has won almost everything.'
16 10 2007
Barcelona left-back Sylvinho has defended those Barcelona players who wish to continue their international careers despite the condemnation of president Joan Laporta.
The former Brazil international said, "Players love to play football and, if summoned by their country, they will gladly heed the call. Footballers are just looking to play, but it seems that we have the least to say on the subject."
Nonetheless, the veteran defender admitted that there are complications.
"It's a simple comment, but a complex issue," he conceded, adding that his time with the Brazil team - which coincided with his spell at Arsenal - had its difficulties.
Sylvinho is currently a squad player at the Nou Camp, with new signing Eric Abidal having made the left-back slot his own. The 33 year old, though, has not given up hope of regaining his place from the younger Frenchman.
"As a player, you want to play, and you're happy when you can," he began.
"I will continue to work hard in training in order to play my role well when the coach decides that it's time for me to do so."
On the subject of Lionel Messi's Golden Ball candidacy, he said, "Messi is a player without equal, and every day he gets better, but I prefer not to talk about who's the best in the world. I always say that there are four or five very good players, and Messi is one of them, like Kaka, Ronaldinho, or Cristiano Ronaldo."
Sylvinho, formerly of Celta Vigo, arrived at the Nou Camp from Arsenal in 2004. He has 6 caps for Brazil.
14 10 2007
Super-agent Ernesto Bronzetti believes that Barcelona will be forced into selling Ronaldinho to Chelsea.
Having signed Henk Ten Cate, speculation is rife that Chelsea will now make a big splash for Barcelona star Ronaldinho.
The Brazilian has returned to the first team, but has yet to be offered the new contract he wants.
Having gained Spanish citizenship, he will also come under Spanish taxation laws, which is what Ernesto Bronzetti believes will be the final straw.
"If he is to stay at Barcelona, he will have to pay 45-46 per cent as he will return to normal taxation for Spain," he said.
"As he will be due a new contract, it will be high time for Barcelona to sell."
Milan have also been interested in him, and in fact made a couple of attempts this summer.
However, they are in no position to match Roman Abramovich's spending power, with price expected to hit the 80 million euro mark.
