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.
Q&A
Question: What is this piece celebrating, and why frame it through shirts?
Answer: It marks Ronaldinho’s 40th birthday by retracing his career via his most iconic kits. Because his legacy is defined by joyful moments—flicks, tricks, nutmegs, and unforgettable highlights—the shirts he wore are used as anchors to those memories, pairing classic designs with the special exploits that made people smile.
Question: Which clubs and years from Ronaldinho’s career are covered?
Answer: The journey runs from:
- 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)
Question: Which kit manufacturers or designs are highlighted in the text?
Answer:
- Grêmio: Kappa and Penalty supplied the classic sky blue and black stripes.
- PSG: Nike’s elegant navy with a single red stripe.
- AC Milan: adidas home shirts befitting his talent.
- The piece also references Barcelona’s iconic Blaugrana without specifying a maker, and it doesn’t name suppliers for Flamengo, Atlético Mineiro, or Querétaro.
Question: What standout moments or accolades are tied to these shirts?
Answer:
- Grêmio: As an 18-year-old in 1999, he dazzled in the state final, notably humiliating Dunga with audacious skill.
- PSG: After an Arsenal move fell through over work permits, he arrived for €5m; his Paris stint mixed sheer genius with inconsistency.
- Barcelona: He restored “spirit” to the club, amassed personal awards, and became one of the greatest No. 10s, despite a party-hit final season.
- AC Milan: Peak 2009/10—Serie A’s top assist maker and Milan’s leading scorer.
- Flamengo: Scored 15 in 33 before departing amid a contract dispute.
- Atlético Mineiro: Led them to a first-ever Copa Libertadores in 2013 (four goals) and was voted 2013 South American Footballer of the Year.
- Querétaro: Netted a celebrated brace at the Azteca in April 2015, drawing a standing ovation.
Question: Where can I shop the featured shirts mentioned?
Short answer: The piece links to Cult Kits collections for several clubs:
- Grêmio: cultkits.com/collections/gremio
- PSG: cultkits.com/collections/paris-saint-germain
- Barcelona: cultkits.com/collections/barcelona
- AC Milan: cultkits.com/collections/ac-milan
Leave a comment