Netflix’s New Ronaldinho Documentary Reminds Us Just How Good He Was

Netflix’s latest hit show focuses on a soccer player many believe is the best of his era. The three-part documentary isn’t about Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo, who have been the biggest stars in the world of soccer for the last 15 years.

This documentary focuses on Ronaldinho, widely considered one of the greatest footballers before Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo became dominant. Ronaldinho: The One and Only tells the story of his career, from his incredible rise to fame to the challenges he faced, showcasing a naturally gifted entertainer who played the game with passion and joy.

Whether you’re a soccer fan or not, this new Netflix documentary about Ronaldinho is definitely worth watching. It’s a captivating look at his life, told through interviews with the man himself and those closest to him.

The Apple TV+ documentary about Messi focuses on a limited part of his career, but the documentary about Ronaldinho covers almost his entire life, though without going into great detail. It also features interviews with many famous players who played alongside Ronaldinho, including Lionel Messi.

Netflix’s New Ronaldinho Doc Is A Reminder Of Just How Great A Player He Was

“Ronaldinho: The One and Only” is a must-watch for soccer fans. This TV show brilliantly tells the story of a legendary player, featuring many of his most iconic goals and moments of brilliance on the field.

As a huge soccer fan, this series really brought back how incredible Ronaldinho was when he was at his peak – both playing for Brazil and Barcelona. It’s easy to forget, because his time at the very top didn’t last that long – things started to fall apart in the mid-2000s with all the stories about him not being a professional – but when he was on, honestly, nobody could touch him. He was just magic.

Ronaldinho was a hugely entertaining player, known for his skills as an attacking midfielder and winger. He was an incredible dribbler – it always seemed like the ball was stuck to his feet! It’s no surprise that Lionel Messi has often mentioned him as a major influence when he was starting out at Barcelona.

Ronaldinho wasn’t just entertaining to watch; he was also incredibly effective, delivering many crucial goals for both his club and Brazil. The documentary highlights his stunning goal against England in the 2002 World Cup and the unforgettable Clásico match where he dominated Real Madrid, even earning applause from their fans.

Ronaldinho Was The Last All-Time Great Soccer Player Before Messi And Cristiano Ronaldo

It’s easy to overlook just how amazing Ronaldinho was as a player. His peak years came right before Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi rose to prominence and completely changed the game. While Ronaldinho was a phenomenal talent, he didn’t quite reach the same level of worldwide fame that Ronaldo and Messi eventually achieved.

Whether it’s fans closely following Messi’s every action at Inter Miami or rumors of Ronaldo appearing in Fast and Furious 11, these two athletes are everywhere, even grabbing the attention of people who don’t follow soccer. However, it’s easy to forget that Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi wouldn’t be the stars they are today without the influence of Ronaldinho.

Year FIFA World Player Of The Year Winner
1991 Lothar Matthäus
1992 Marco van Basten
1993 Roberto Baggio
1994 Romário
1995 George Weah
1996 Ronaldo
1997 Ronaldo
1998 Zinedine Zidane
1999 Rivaldo
2000 Zinedine Zidane
2001 Luís Figo
2002 Ronaldo
2003 Zinedine Zidane
2004 Ronaldinho
2005 Ronaldinho
2006 Fabio Cannavaro
2007 Kaká
2008 Cristiano Ronaldo
2009 Lionel Messi

Ronaldinho, a two-time FIFA World Player of the Year and winner of both the 2002 World Cup with Brazil and the 2006 Champions League with Barcelona, was widely considered the best soccer player globally from 2003 to 2007. He also played a key role in launching Lionel Messi’s career, assisting with his first professional goal.

He indirectly helped launch Cristiano Ronaldo’s career. When he chose not to join Manchester United and instead went to Barcelona, it created an opening on the team. The then-unknown 18-year-old Ronaldo quickly stepped in and filled that spot.

The documentary Ronaldinho: The One and Only beautifully showcases how this Brazilian football icon always played with joy, cherishing his relationships with teammates both on and off the field, and truly capturing the spirit of the game. He represents a bygone era when a player’s brilliance was defined by how much fun they brought to the sport, not just by statistics.

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2026-04-21 02:56