Chris Punnakkattu Daniel and Ronaldinho Gaúcho at the Golden Foot Award 2009 in Monte Carlo.
Two-time FIFA World Player of the Year and FIFA World Cup winner Ronaldinho Gaúcho has announced his retirement from professional football.
The 37 year old superstar kicked off his illustrious career at Grêmio Porto Alegre, before joining Paris Saint-Germain in 2001. He went on to play for FC Barcelona, AC Milan, Flamengo Rio de Janeiro, Atlético Mineiro, Querétaro Fútbol Club and Fluminense Rio de Janeiro, besides playing for the Goa 5’s and Delhi Dragons in the Premier Futsal League in India.
Ronaldinho posted an Portuguese announcement on his social media channels expressing his gratitude for his career in football.
“Thank you, my God, for this life you gave me, family, friends and my first profession !!! After almost three decades dedicated to football, I say goodbye to my biggest dream, dream come true !!! I did what I most loved professionally for 20 years, and 10 as a basic training. I lived intensely this dream of children, every moment, trips, victories, defeats, the review, national anthem, the walk in the tunnel, dressing room, field entrance, the soccer shoes I used, good balls and bad, honors I won, the stars that I played, those that admired and played and those that only played in the play, but I admire until today! Anyway everything was amazing !!! My father and my family supported me a lot to get here, it was a team effort. We arrived at the end of the first stage with a beautiful story to tell …
You know me, and you are well aware that I am shy and I do not have the habit of talking a lot, but I have to say thank you from my heart, from a clean soul, for I have done what I love with the help of all, coaches, whole committees, leaders, cheer for and against, the bus driver, the wardrobe, the gandula, the referee and the press. Thank you, let’s build this story together, without you nothing would be possible …
In the month of March we will make an announcement of how this farewell will be and the next steps. For now, here’s my thank you. That famous phrase “gracias vieja” for being my source of inspiration for so long and companions of many victories !!! Thank you all for the messages and affection !!! A strong hug, I was very happy making this sport my life and profession.”