16.07.2008 09:24
Individual recognition
Jesús Carrillo
Since joining FC Barcelona, Ronaldinho has been recognised on a personal level as one of the best football players in the world thanks to his individual ability, the team's success and the superb goals that he has scored.
France Football named him as the best player of the year in the European game in 2005 when they
awarded him the Ballon d'Or and he was awarded the trophy in December of that year, only months
before helping Barça to win the Champions League.
Two FIFA World Player gongs
FIFA also showed their support and their vote among the coaches and captains from
teams around the globe saw Ronaldinho praised almost unanimously for his performances and he was
named as the world's best player on three consecutive occasions in 2004, 2005 and 2006.
The worldwide professional footballers' association, FIFPro, also recognised his skill and
ability and named Ronaldinho as the best player i the world in 2005 and 2006.
UEFA awards
There awas still more to come with UEFA joining as they named him as the best forward in the
Champions League for 2004-05 and said that his goal against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge was the best
goal in the competition that season. The following year, Ronaldinho was named as the best player in
the tournament when Barcelona won the cup in Paris.
Other prizes
Alongside all these trophies, Ronaldinho was also awarded by other
entities such as French magazine, Onze Mundial, and English publication World Soccer both gave him
awards as their favourite player in the same era, along with the EFE news agency naming him as the
best sportsman from Latin America.