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Ronaldinho: Football's Flamboyant Maestro
Ronaldinho's is a classic rags-to-riches tale of an outrageously talented boy from the Brazilian back streets who, despite his humble origins, conquers the soccer world. Ronaldinho's early years were hard, coping with a family tragedy at a tender age before making his name as the star of local team Gremio, whose youth club he joined when he was just six. His decision in 2001 to leave familiar ground and transfer to Paris St. Germain proved controversial and unpopular locally, with those same Gremio fans who had hero-worshipped him now turning against him. Ronaldinho's time in France yielded little success on the pitch and turned a spotlight on his personal life, provoking accusations of a rather too rampant nightlife. Yet, Ronaldinho has always thrived in the yellow shirt of the national team, playing a key role in Brazil's 2002 World Cup victory. When he switched to Barcelona in 2003, the club was in crisis; but his dazzling and inspiring play helped guide the Catalans to the league title, with the Champions League the next target. Ronaldinho's style of play is spectacular, combining dazzling dribbles with audacious strikes at goal, but as this inspiring and meticulously researched book shows, he always plays with a smile and handles himself with modesty. It is not surprising that this unique combination of skill, charm, and generosity has conquered the hearts of soccer fans the world over—who will welcome the publication of this definitive biography and the full story of Ronaldinho's World Cup appearances.
260 pages, Paperback
First published September 28, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
March 9, 2019
If you are not a true fan of football or in general plastic fans of football don't read this book it is not for you for example there is terms in book-like ballon d'Or (Which means the golden ball, which is given to the best player each year), Camp Nou, Santiago Bernabeu, Stanford bridge, and etc. (Names of historical stadiums which the legend Ronaldinho has played in with his teams) Finally the last reason if you are a plastic fan and want to read this book I don’t advice because do you know what does Copa Del Ray, Libertadores cup,and Super Coppa (Leagues that Ronaldinho has played with is teams.)
I rated this book 4 stars due to it not being in order like in the begging it talks about Ronaldinho's experience at the 2006 world cup in chapter Winning It All. When I am reading a biography I expect that it starts when he or she is born not when they won most football’s world-class trophies, or at least when he starts playing football well if it was a biography about a football player. In general, the book is an outstanding book cause other than reading about one of the most historical players in the world which he also used to face problems with his friend about being one of the best players in the world but his friend just kept on laughing, which I also face too but not only with my friends but with my parents personally for me this book taught me that at any day your life could turn around 180 degrees due to signing a paper which when older brother which was also a soccer player that signed a contract that moved Ronaldinho's family moved from one of the poorest neighborhoods to one of the richest in matter of weeks that happened in page 6 , also that I thought when you are a world class football player you will face no problem well from what I read that Ronaldinho got hate from the football fans from moving to AC Milan in 2008, but also day on day you have to wake up early and train like a beast, not eat junk food only food that is allowed for your body which will not make you gain weight or lose weight and will help your muscles perform better. Somethings I adore this legend is that he started practicing nonstop from a young age as you see on page 121, in this book, there is a whole chapter of Ronaldinho's older brother (Roberto Assis) who which was Ronaldinho's role model you could tell that because he would try to follow his footsteps but in general the Assis family had football running in their blood most of his uncles were football ball player also to be mentioned his father was also a football player but passed away which was mentioned in page 7 also mentioned in that page was Ronaldinho was 7 years old when João de Assis Moreira or his father died, I am pretty sure that if his father had not passed away he would have followed his footsteps, not his older brother Roberto. This not mentioned in the book but Roberto was indeed his younger brother’s agent till in 2015 the legend has retired. Ronaldinho is known for his humbleness (why reading his book nothing was mentioned about his money other than the road he bought for his whole family. The man is not selfish he wants the best for everyone, he was also friends with everyone especially till this day he and his older teammate Carlos Puyol my role model are still friends. One of the most know skills in football is the no-look pass which in a matter of fact has a mad Ronaldinho one of the most skillful players with him assisting Rivaldo but unfortunately, he put the ball wide. One quote I truly cherish is on page 137 when Ronaldinho was interviewed and said “I love pressure it does not scare me. The group neither. The team knows how to use pressure as a means of motivation and we thrive.” It really shows that no matter what pressure Ronaldinho is under he is always composed and that is another trait we know about the legend.
What I am saying if you are a football fan and what to know who Ronaldinho’s lifestyle before and after, how he would struggle during his childhood, how he proves all the haters wrong when he plays, how he dominates the opponents and destroys the keepers’ nets, and finally how he celebrates when he wins world class legendary trophies and awards, then read this book.
I rated this book 4 stars due to it not being in order like in the begging it talks about Ronaldinho's experience at the 2006 world cup in chapter Winning It All. When I am reading a biography I expect that it starts when he or she is born not when they won most football’s world-class trophies, or at least when he starts playing football well if it was a biography about a football player. In general, the book is an outstanding book cause other than reading about one of the most historical players in the world which he also used to face problems with his friend about being one of the best players in the world but his friend just kept on laughing, which I also face too but not only with my friends but with my parents personally for me this book taught me that at any day your life could turn around 180 degrees due to signing a paper which when older brother which was also a soccer player that signed a contract that moved Ronaldinho's family moved from one of the poorest neighborhoods to one of the richest in matter of weeks that happened in page 6 , also that I thought when you are a world class football player you will face no problem well from what I read that Ronaldinho got hate from the football fans from moving to AC Milan in 2008, but also day on day you have to wake up early and train like a beast, not eat junk food only food that is allowed for your body which will not make you gain weight or lose weight and will help your muscles perform better. Somethings I adore this legend is that he started practicing nonstop from a young age as you see on page 121, in this book, there is a whole chapter of Ronaldinho's older brother (Roberto Assis) who which was Ronaldinho's role model you could tell that because he would try to follow his footsteps but in general the Assis family had football running in their blood most of his uncles were football ball player also to be mentioned his father was also a football player but passed away which was mentioned in page 7 also mentioned in that page was Ronaldinho was 7 years old when João de Assis Moreira or his father died, I am pretty sure that if his father had not passed away he would have followed his footsteps, not his older brother Roberto. This not mentioned in the book but Roberto was indeed his younger brother’s agent till in 2015 the legend has retired. Ronaldinho is known for his humbleness (why reading his book nothing was mentioned about his money other than the road he bought for his whole family. The man is not selfish he wants the best for everyone, he was also friends with everyone especially till this day he and his older teammate Carlos Puyol my role model are still friends. One of the most know skills in football is the no-look pass which in a matter of fact has a mad Ronaldinho one of the most skillful players with him assisting Rivaldo but unfortunately, he put the ball wide. One quote I truly cherish is on page 137 when Ronaldinho was interviewed and said “I love pressure it does not scare me. The group neither. The team knows how to use pressure as a means of motivation and we thrive.” It really shows that no matter what pressure Ronaldinho is under he is always composed and that is another trait we know about the legend.
What I am saying if you are a football fan and what to know who Ronaldinho’s lifestyle before and after, how he would struggle during his childhood, how he proves all the haters wrong when he plays, how he dominates the opponents and destroys the keepers’ nets, and finally how he celebrates when he wins world class legendary trophies and awards, then read this book.
November 18, 2018
One of my favourite footballers of all time and a great book for any footy fan. Once saw him in action for AC Milan and the guy was amazing,
July 2, 2013
June 30
70 minutes
poor, respect, Pele, motivation, FC Barcelona, enjoy, motto
Discussion Questions
1 Ronaldiniho loves playing soccer. So,do you like soccer?
A Yes! Of course! I stared to play soccer when I was a junior highschool student. Now, I can't play enough, but sometime I play soccer. FIFA World cup will be held next year. So I'm looking forword to see it!
2 Do you have somebody who you respect?
A I respect Yuto Nagatomo who is a professional soccer player. He plays in Inter which is the very famous club in the world. Actually it is hard to play there, but he never give up.
Ronaldiniho is one of the famous soccer player that I like. His performance makes us exciting. In this book, we can learn his background. When he was a child, he played soccer on the street, because there were not enough environment to play soccer. But he didn't give up to become the No1 soccer player. I respect him.
70 minutes
poor, respect, Pele, motivation, FC Barcelona, enjoy, motto
Discussion Questions
1 Ronaldiniho loves playing soccer. So,do you like soccer?
A Yes! Of course! I stared to play soccer when I was a junior highschool student. Now, I can't play enough, but sometime I play soccer. FIFA World cup will be held next year. So I'm looking forword to see it!
2 Do you have somebody who you respect?
A I respect Yuto Nagatomo who is a professional soccer player. He plays in Inter which is the very famous club in the world. Actually it is hard to play there, but he never give up.
Ronaldiniho is one of the famous soccer player that I like. His performance makes us exciting. In this book, we can learn his background. When he was a child, he played soccer on the street, because there were not enough environment to play soccer. But he didn't give up to become the No1 soccer player. I respect him.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews