PARENTHESES

Four years ago nobody paid attention to a smiling-long-haired-slender-bodied kid playing among the giants of world football, until he scored a goal for Brazil against England during the semi-finals of World Cup 2002. And because he’s still unpopular many critics easily dismissed Ronaldinho’s goal as a fluke. His detractors even ridiculed him as a look alike of Star Wars character Jar Jar Binks. But Ronaldinho had proven his critics wrong. Brazil got away with their fifth World Cup crown and Ronaldinho blazed in glory while leading FC Barcelona to major victories since then.

This year, the 25 year old Brazilian footballing genius has capped two major Football awards. Ronaldinho grabbed the Ballon d’Or, or European Footballer of the Year award and for a second succesive season has been named FIFA World Player of the year.

The FIFA World Player of the year is the highest award given to an individual footballer by the World’s football governing body. Ronaldinho is only the third player to have won the global title more than once since its inception in 1991. France playmaker Zinedine Zidane took the honours in 1998, 2000 and 2003, while Brazil striker Ronaldo scooped the trophy in 1996, 1997 and 2002.

Ronaldinho earned the sobriquet, the Magician, for his display of an almost magical football antics and brilliant playmaking to the delight of fans and detractors alike. After four years, Ronaldinho with his trademark beaming smile is now a world renowned football icon while his critics and detractors are now eating crow.