Ronaldinho is one of the greatest footballers of all time and secured his status as a modern legend by winning two of the biggest prizes in the sport. First, he lifted the World Cup with Brazil in 2002, and then he won the Ballon d'Or in 2005.
Known for his dazzling skill, the Brazilian was a pure entertainer, but was able to blend his showboating with game-changing moments of quality, shining most brightly during his five years with Barcelona. Across his career, he also spent time in France (PSG), Italy (AC Milan), Mexico (Queretaro), and his native Brazil (Gremio, Flamengo, Atletico Mineiro and Fluminense).
Sadly for Premier League fans, he never joined an English club, but it appears as though he kept his eye on the division since his retirement in 2015. Indeed, in 2018, he spoke to the media about one Manchester United player who had all the qualities to win a Ballon d'Or.
Ronaldinho Felt Paul Pogba Could Win a Ballon d'Or
Ronaldinho celebrates a goal for Barcelona.
Ronaldinho spoke in glowing terms of Man United star Paul Pogba, once even backing him as a potential future winner of the award. He explained:
"He (Pogba) can win the Ballon d'Or, without a doubt. I see Pogba as a friend, I don't see myself as his idol.
"He is young, talented and he has the ability to play anywhere. He can play in a free role, defensive, as a runner or attacking.
"He has the characteristics of a player who can fill any position. He can make history."
Interestingly enough, these comments came just months before the Frenchman lifted the World Cup. Even with that success, though, Pogba didn't win the Ballon d'Or, with Luka Modric claiming the prize that year, putting an end to the 10-year dominance of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Pogba's Time at Man Utd Didn't Help His Ballon d'Or Hopes
paul pogba manchester united
As it turned out, this period was probably the final peak of the French midfielders' careers. Indeed, his big-money move to the Red Devils in 2016 had been met with much scrutiny, and despite occasional glimpses of his quality, he eventually felt out of favour in England.
Speaking in April 2025, Pogba outlined what went wrong for him at Old Trafford, noting that manager Jose Mourinho lost faith in him. It was so stressful, the player explained, that he even started to lose hair:
"I didn't understand. I was a player with a big role in the team, and suddenly, I found myself on the bench. I couldn't speak, there was no communication. I wasn't happy, and a football player who isn't happy can't perform well. I fell into depression without even realising it. Because no one teaches us what depression is. Until I started having holes in my scalp. I didn't understand what it was. They told me it was stress."
The unhappy Frenchman would return to his former club Juventus in 2022 before a drugs ban kept him from playing for 18 months. In 2025, he joined Monaco hoping to revive his career, but now in his 30s, it feels very unlikely that Pogba will ever have a realistic run at winning the Ballon d'Or.