YouTube was made for one man and his name is Ronaldinho.
It's easy to lose an afternoon trawling through videos of the Brazilian humiliating opponents or scoring ridiculous goals or doing things - special things - that you've only ever seen on Fifa.
His was a career that was more about moments than trophies - flicks or tricks or nutmegs or back-heels that made the people happy.
And few made the people happier than he did.
Ronaldo de Assis Moreira turns 40 on Saturday. Here are his best kits.
Summary
A celebratory look at Ronaldinho’s career through his most iconic football shirts, marking his 40th birthday. It traces his joyful, highlight-filled journey from Grêmio to PSG, Barcelona, AC Milan, Flamengo, Atlético Mineiro, and Querétaro, pairing unforgettable moments with the kits he wore. Along the way it recalls signature exploits and accolades—Barça’s revival, Milan’s creative peak, a Libertadores with Atlético—while noting classic designs from Kappa, Penalty, Nike, and adidas.
Gremio - 1998-2001
"I've worked with some great players in my time. But, with due respect to the others, Ronaldinho was a cut above the rest."
So said Grêmio coach Celso Roth, who marvelled at the gangly trequartista from Porto Alegre.
It was in 1999 that the 18-year-old Ronaldinho's genius began to emerge, scoring 23 goals in 48 matches. In June that year, in the Rio Grande do Sul State Championship final, the youngster humiliated Internacional's Brazilian legend and 1994 World Cup-winning captain Dunga, flicking the ball over his head on one occasion, and leaving him flat-footed in a mazy dribble on another.
The shirts he wore at Gremio were magnificent - with Kappa and Penalty producing the club's classic sky blue and black stripes during his time there.
Paris St Germain - 2001-03
In 2001, Arsenal tried to sign Ronaldinho but work permit issues prevented the transfer from taking place. And the Gunners' loss was PSG's gain, with the Parisians paying just €5 million to bring him to the Parc des Princes.
His time in the French capital was a confusing cocktail of sheer genius and frustration. He scored goals - incredible goals - but was unable to be the talisman who could drive the club to domestic glory.
Nike provided the club's kits during the period - elegant navy blue with a single red stripe.
Barcelona - 2003-08
"The greatest compliment I could give him is that he's given Barcelona our spirit back," mused Carles Puyol, “he has made us smile again."
Over five seasons in Spain, Ronaldinho confirmed his standing as the game's greatest entertainer, earning a host of personal awards in the process and transforming Barca into the most exciting team in the world.
While injury and his penchant for a party blighted his final season at the club, he remains one of the greatest (if not quite the greatest) number tens to ever pull on the Blaugrana shirt.
Milan - 2008-11
Serie A was his next destination - and while his career may have been in gradual decline, there were still special moments in Milan.
The 2009/10 season was his best in Italy, finishing as the league's leading assist maker and the club's top scorer.
The adidas home shirts during his time at the club were fitting for a man of his talent.
Flamengo - 2011/12
A return to Brazil followed but after a promising start Ronaldinho quit the club in a contract dispute. He still managed to score 15 times in 33 games.
Atlético Mineiro - 2012-14
Ronaldinho led the club to its first Copa Libertadores title in 2013, scoring four goals during Atlético's dramatic title run
Although six years past his best, Ronaldinho's displays saw him voted the 2013 South American Footballer of the Year.
Querétaro - 2014/15
Mexico and Liga MX was his next destination. In April 2015, Ronaldinho scored twice against title-holders América in an away game at the Estadio Azteca - most of the ground applauded and gave him a standing ovation.
Shop Mexican Clubs kits on Cult Kits!
Fluminense - 2015
A two-month stint at Fluminense brought the curtain down on a special career.
Shop Fluminense Football Jerseys on Cult Kits!
Brazil - 1999-2013
Ronalidinho scored 33 goals in 97 games for Brazil, winning a World Cup in 2002.
Shop Brazil football shirts on Cult Kits!
Ronaldo de Assis Moreira, we salute you.
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Q&A
What is this Ronaldinho feature about?
It celebrates Ronaldinho’s career through the shirts that defined it. From his early days at Grêmio to Barcelona, Milan and beyond, each kit acts as a marker for the moments that made him such a joy to watch — outrageous skill, no-look passes, free-kicks, nutmegs and that unmistakable smile.Which clubs from Ronaldinho’s career are featured?
The article follows him through:- Grêmio — 1998–2001
- Paris Saint-Germain — 2001–03
- Barcelona — 2003–08
- AC Milan — 2008–11
- Flamengo — 2011–12
- Atlético Mineiro — 2012–14
- Querétaro — 2014–15
Which Ronaldinho shirts and kit designs stand out?
There are plenty. Grêmio’s famous sky blue and black stripes came courtesy of Kappa and Penalty, while PSG’s Nike shirts gave Ronaldinho one of the cleanest looks of his early European career. Barcelona’s Blaugrana became inseparable from his peak years, while adidas supplied the AC Milan shirts worn during his time at San Siro.The later Flamengo, Atlético Mineiro and Querétaro shirts tell a different story — Ronaldinho the travelling icon, still capable of producing moments that stopped stadiums in their tracks.
What were Ronaldinho’s biggest moments in these shirts?
At Grêmio, an 18-year-old Ronaldinho announced himself with the sort of skill that would define his career, famously tormenting Dunga during the 1999 state championship.PSG offered flashes of brilliance after his move to Paris in 2001, but Barcelona was where everything truly clicked. Ronaldinho became the face of the club’s revival, won the Ballon d’Or and Champions League, and turned the number 10 shirt into one of the most desirable football shirts of the era.
At Milan, his 2009/10 season was arguably his strongest in Italy, finishing as Serie A’s leading assist provider while also producing his best goalscoring return for the club.
The story didn’t end in Europe. He scored 15 goals for Flamengo, inspired Atlético Mineiro to their first Copa Libertadores title in 2013 and was named South American Footballer of the Year. Even at Querétaro, there was still time for one more great stage: a two-goal performance at the Azteca that earned him a standing ovation from the opposition crowd.
Where can I shop Ronaldinho shirts and shirts from his former clubs?
You can explore vintage and retro shirts from several of Ronaldinho’s former teams at Cult Kits:- Grêmio football shirts
- Paris Saint-Germain football shirts
- Barcelona football shirts
- AC Milan football shirts
Whether you remember Ronaldinho in Brazil, Paris, Barcelona or Milan, those shirts remain tied to one of football’s most entertaining careers.
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