Ronaldinho, the joie de vivre of football

By John Cheeran
Ronaldinho is the greatest player I have watched on the football field.
Friendlies are not the best of sporting occasions, but Ronaldinho brought out the best in himself and Brazil the other day as world champions played one of the weakest football nations, and I was plain lucky to be there at the venue.
Ronaldinho’s genius was unmistakable that day. His toothy grin lighting up the stadium, Ronaldinho outshone other stalwarts in his side—Roberto Carlos, Kaka and Edmilson. The only missing link in the Brazil chain was Ronaldo.
If he can put on an inspired show even during a friendly, he must be in real love with this game.
Truth is that he enjoys what he does on the field. Though he is a hardened pro, at heart he remains a freewheeling kid.
No wonder that he brings, what critics say, an extra happiness to the game.
Verdict is out on the Brazilian now three years later Ronaldinho inspired Brazil to World Cup triumph in 2002. Not many were ready to recognize this little man’s untiring efforts in such crunch games as against England in 2002. If the focus was firmly on a grossly over rated David Beckham and Brazil’s own Ronaldo in Japan and South Korea, the global media will chase every move Ronaldinho shall make in Germany next year.
Rob Hughes writes in New York Times that Ronaldinho is the most talented, and most effective, player of the modern generation - recognized as such by all sectors of the society in which he performs.
Last Monday, for the 50th anniversary of the Ballon D'Or, the oldest trophy for a single player in a team game, 52 voting journalists handsomely endorsed that opinion.
Though he is the best in the business, Ronaldinho has not emerged as the face of modern football. Brazil and Barcelona have not attempted to hard sell Ronaldinho to the world beyond the football ground.
And look at the way England, Manchester United and now Real Madrid have sold an average player like David Beckham as the poster boy of the game.
May be world is still in love with style, not substance.