Arguably one of the modern great, Ronaldinho has retired from football although he had not played a game since 2015.
The 37-year-old was part of Brazil’s 2002 World Cup winning squad, won the Champions League in 2006 with Barcelona and won the Balon d'Or in 2005.
His brother and agent Roberto Assis confirmed the retirement on Tuesday and announced a series of tribute events. "He has stopped, it is ended," BBC quoted Assis said. "We will do various events in Brazil, Europe and Asia and of course, we are arranging something with the Brazilian team as well."
Ronaldinho started his career with Gremio in Brazil before moving to Paris St-Germain in 2001. After five years at Barcelona and two La Liga titles, he also had a spell at AC Milan where he won the Serie A title in 2010-11.
He moved to Brazilian side Flamengo in 2011 before spells at Atletico Mineiro, Queretaro in Mexico and Fluminense.
2006 #UCL winner Ronaldinho has retired from football pic.twitter.com/EJTHCqcoFd
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) January 16, 2018
One of the best players I’ve ever seen has officially retired. What a player Ronaldinho was. A joy to watch pic.twitter.com/80UCzpM39h
— GoonerViews (@GoonerViews) January 17, 2018
Legendary Ronaldinho is officially hanging up his boots. pic.twitter.com/hnU85Kpa5E
— B/R Football (@brfootball) January 16, 2018
A sad day for football.
Ronaldinho has retired, his brother and agent have confirmed. https://t.co/b52fQd0F3y pic.twitter.com/7w9qsYTVZw
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) January 16, 2018