The technique. The flair. The hair. That smile. Those ... teeth.
Ronaldinho will forever hold a place in our hearts for his brilliance on the pitch and fun-loving demeanor off it. If not one of the very best footballers of all time, he's undoubtedly one of the most entertaining.
As Ronaldinho celebrates his 37th birthday on Tuesday, there is no better time to take a look at the best goals of his career.
Barcelona vs AC Milan, November 2004
Ronaldinho made the leap to the top of the sport in 2004, his second season at Barca. En route to winning FIFA World Player of the Year honors, Ronaldinho beat future club AC Milan in the Champions League group stage with this rocket in the 89th minute of a tie game. The dude Ronaldinho spins here like a top? That's Alessandro Nesta, only one of the best defenders of his generation. And the goalkeeper? Forget about it.
Barcelona vs Osasuna, October 2004
Ronaldinho won his first major club title with Barcelona in 2004/05, winning La Liga and ending a six-year trophy drought for the club*. Ronaldinho contributed 10 assists and 9 goals in the league that season, none better than this wonderful scissor kick goal between two defenders.
* Can you even imagine Barca not winning anything in six years now
Barcelona vs Chelsea, March 2005
A stroke of genius, and it was plays like this one at Stamford Bridge that earned Ronaldinho a second consecutive World Player of the Year award in 2005. Even though Chelsea would win this classic Round of 16 tie (5-4 on aggregate), Ronaldinho's astonishing outside-the-boot goal from a standing position will live forever in our memory.
Brazil vs England, 2002 World Cup
Ronaldinho had just finished his first season in Europe with PSG when joined up wuth Ronaldo and Rivaldo to make up Brazil's 'Three R's" that stormed to the 2002 World Cup. Ronaldinho's shining moment that summer was this game-winning free kick in the quarterfinals. Poor David Seaman never had a chance.
Barcelona vs Villarreal, November 2006
The best goal of Ronaldinho's career. Everything about it is perfect. From Xavi's cross, to the chest trap, to the body control, to the finish. After the game, Ronaldinho told reporters he dreamt of scoring a goal like this since he was a little boy. He would never score a better one. It was outrageous. It was gorgeous. It was brilliant. It was Ronaldinho.
Note: This article was originally written March 21, 2016. Ronaldinho's goals are timeless, however.
