[prakashpatel4579]

Whenever people talk about the greatest players ever the names that get mentioned are Pele, Diego Maradona, Gerd Muller, Zinedine Zidane etc. and the two guys setting football alight right now, Ronaldo and Messi, will probably be considered in that bracket when they finish their careers.

However Ronaldinho is never really mentioned and I can't put my finger on why that is. From the period of 2004 to 2007 he played outrageously good football, he could win games on his own and was just a joy to watch. I will never forget his toe poke against Chelsea after his shimmy on the spot, and also the time when Real fans appluaded him at the Bernabeau while he was playing for arch rivals Barcelona after he destroyed their team, that certainly doesn't happen very often!

Also, one of the reservations about Ronaldo and Messi is that they haven't been quite as successful in international matches as for their clubs and they haven't won the world cup. Yet Ronaldinho did get a world cup win in 2002 and was a key player for Brazil.

[chelseafan]

He lacked longevity, which is always needed to be considered a legend. But I agree, in his peak he was right up there with messi and ronaldo.

[JoeK]

He could have been even more. He's certainly one of the most naturally gifted players the game has ever seen, I don't think anyone can dispute that. It's just he weakened his legacy with his off the field problems, he had the world at his feet and let it go. If he'd continued at the top level for a longer period, I'm pretty sure he would be widely regarded as one of the top players.

[Jakelol]

i love Ronaldinho, he's certainly one of the greatest ever
for me anyway

[scotttb]

1. What chelsea fan said
2. When he didn't have the ball he was a complete passenger. Dont get me wrong I loved watching Ronaldhino, but unlike the best ever players, he just didnt help at all defensively ever and was afraid to try and tackle in case he got injured.

[prakashpatel4579]

(Original post by chelseafan)
He lacked longevity, which is always needed to be considered a legend. But I agree, in his peak he was right up there with messi and ronaldo.

OK, I will agree that he was really a one-club player and AC Milan never saw his Barcelona form.

The level he reached when he was at his best was absurdly good and his trophy record is not half bad:
The World Cup, Copa America, Champions League, Spanish Liga as well as individual honours including world player of the year.

[Stu Laverty]

As someone else said, it's just longevity. Ronaldinho was brilliant for a few years - at a time when football was between generations: Zidane/Ronaldo, for example, are considered two of the best ever players in their position, and their careers were nearing their end just as Ronaldinho took over as the world's best player. Unfortunately, Ronaldinho couldn't keep up his performances that led people to believe he could be an all time great and now he's largely overshadowed by Messi, who has kept up his performances over a longer period of time and at a higher standard.

[xxbradkennedyxx]

Never as consistant or as efficient as the others, plus he hit the burgers too early in his career.

[Jack93o]

He may not be in the conversation of the G.O.A.T (greatest of all time), but I don't think I'll ever forget his looping freekick against david season in the 2002 WC which is extra memorable because he then got sent off

[The Cornerstone]

I remember he was regarded as the best by a lot of people, a bit like people are talking about Messi now. But after Barca, nothing much happened.

[anonstudent1]

Even in his peak, he was nowhere near as efficient as Ronaldo and Messi are today.
He was an excellent showman and had amazing skills and ball control though.

[Torrresss]

(Original post by anonstudent1)
Even in his peak, he was nowhere near as efficient as Ronaldo and Messi are today.
He was an excellent showman and had amazing skills and ball control though.

Yeah his efficiency is a good point.

He was flash and possessed unbelievable talent but this didn't necessarily transfer to an end product as often as it does with Messi or Ronaldo.

Having said that, I don't think I've watched a more entertaining player.

[craglyboy]

Purely attitude, granted he was a fantastic player but he knew it. He was too lazy on the field and was part of the Barcelona side who really with all their skill under performed. Guardiola came in got rid of the ego's and the ones with the wrong work ethic and look where they are now.

[Sagacious]

End product.

Look at Messi and Ronaldo, they're averaging way over a goal a game in the league. Ronaldinho couldn't manage that.

Hence, he can't be mentioned in the same bracket. Although, he had the best skills, just inefficient in comparison to the best of all time.

[Spaz Man]

In my opinion he was a genius but fell short of true greatness due to his injury and fitness problems.

[craglyboy]

(Original post by anonstudent1)
Even in his peak, he was nowhere near as efficient as Ronaldo and Messi are today.
He was an excellent showman and had amazing skills and ball control though.

Zidane was way more efficient and just as entertaining to watch IMO. I would rather see a drop of the shoulder run of giggs or a magnetic run of messi rather than the ridiculous step overs of horse tooth or ronaldo any day.

Also I wouldn't bum messi or Ronaldo too much if I recall messi has the worst successful dribble ratio in la liga although that may be down to the shear amount he has.

[The Doggfather]

He had like 3 world class seasons where he was untouchable

Then collapsed

[Fusion]

When I think about him I just remember how he fell from grace so quickly

[TheInvincibles14]

His best performance:



He was unstoppable at Barca, especially between the years 2005-07, he would destroy defender's in every single game and could win games single handedly, similar to what Ronaldo and Messi are doing right now. But after he discovered the nightlife in Barcelona that kind of ruined his career and Barca then sold him to Milan because they didn't want Ronaldinho and Deco to influence Messi which in effect would have stalled his development. I still think he should be regarded alongside the likes of Zidane, purely because of his ability and what he brought to the game. But it's true to say he could have been so much more if he took care of himself.