🏆 The 25 greatest players of the last 25 years: The Wizard in 11th place

Welcome to OneFootball’s definitive ranking of the 25 greatest players of the last 25 years.

Over the course of 25 days, we will be counting down our top 25 men’s footballers of the 21st century so far, before revealing the winner on 1st January 2025.

Check out the list so far here

Today, our countdown continues with…

11th: Ronaldinho (345 points)

• Nationality: Brazilian (97 caps, 33 goals)

• Main clubs: Grêmio, PSG, Barcelona, Milan

• Major trophies won: LaLiga (x2), Serie A (x1), Champions League (x1), Copa Libertadores (x1), World Cup (x1), Copa América (x1)

• Major individual awards: Ballon d’Or (x1), FIFA World Player of the Year (x2), World Cup All Star (x1), UEFA Team of the Year (x3), FIFPRO World XI (x3)

• Highest ranking among voters: 1st (one voter)

Ronaldinho made his professional debut at just 17 years old, in a Copa Libertadores match for Grêmio.

He quickly drew attention for his jaw-dropping dribbling ability and skilful footwork. It was no surprise that he was nicknamed Bruxo, meaning the Wizard.

In Europe, he starred for PSG but reached his peak at Barcelona, ​​where he won the Ballon d’Or. He also shone at Milan, Flamengo, Atlético-MG and, of course, for the Brazilian national team, who he helped win their fifth World Cup in 2002.

Fun fact

📸 JOSE JORDAN

The iconic number 10 has also appeared in a movie, the 2018 film Kickboxer: Retaliation. His main weapon was, understandably, his kicking ability and he acted alongside Jean-Claude van Damme and Mike Tyson.

Watch him in action

How we voted

Thirty-eight members of OneFootball’s global editorial team ranked their top 25 players of the 21st century so far. Players ranked at #1 earned 25 points, second place earned 24 points, and so on. In the event of a tie, the player with the highest individual ranking was placed higher on the list.

📸 Denis Doyle – 2007 Getty Images