If charisma is enough to be a top footballer then Ronaldinho had enough to be the best player in the world. Luckily for Ronaldinho, he didn’t need to rely on charisma. For a spell, Ronaldinho hands down was the best player in the world. Indeed he was so good there was a time when Real Madrid fans gave Ronaldinho a Standing Ovation. There aren’t many opposition players in El Clasico history who can say that!
Ronaldinho Standing Ovation: the background
Ronaldinho was at the peak of his powers in 2005 as the star turn for Barcelona. He won the FIFA World Player of the Year award in 2004, and in 2005 he followed it with more exceptional performances. By the end of the season, Ronaldinho was FIFA World Player of the Year again as well as the Ballon d’Or winner.
The 2005/06 Barcelona team was a force to be reckoned with even without Ronaldinho. The reigning La Liga champions had Carles Puyol leading from the back, while a young Xavi played in midfield alongside top-class Portuguese international Deco. Up front, Samuel Eto partnered Ronaldinho along with a young Lionel Messi.
Real Madrid were hardly shabby around that time. Ther team contained the likes of Roberto Carlos and David Beckham, not to mention two genuine all-time greats in the shape of Zinedine Zidane and the original Brazilian Ronaldo.
How did Ronaldinho get a Standing Ovation?
The question is, how did Ronaldinho get a standing ovation? He did it by tearing Real Madrid apart on November 19, 2005 with his pace and trickery. Ronaldinho genuinely was a class apart that night at the Bernabeu, scoring two goals in an easy 0-3 win for the away side.
El Clasico matches are so keenly contested that they are played in an intimidating atmosphere, both for players and spectators. Fans use the occasion to express more than their footballing loyalties. The match is a proxy for the ongoing Spain versus Catalonia debate, whether rightly or wrongly.
The fact Ronaldinho’s performance allowed him to transcend the associated fluff gives you an idea of how spectacular he was in this game.
The first goal: Casillas left flat-footed
Ronaldinho’s first goal was a solo effort of the highest order. He made it all himself. Ronaldinho received the ball just inside his own half, out on the left. He took the ball at pace for a good twenty yards, turning Sergio Ramos inside out but forcing himself wide as a consequence.
No matter. Ronaldinho entered the penalty area through the outer left corner, still with the ball at his feet, before shimmying and wrong-footing Ivan Helguera. An attempted block by international teammate Roberto Carlos came too late, as Ronaldinho tucked the ball away with his right foot into the bottom left corner. Goalkeeper Iker Casillas had no chance, fooled as he was by the direction of the shot.
Sections of the crowd applauded a great goal. But the applause got louder still later on.
The second goal: Ramos stripped for pace again
Ramos had a torrid time against Ronaldinho in this match. His woes were summed up best by Ronaldinho’s second goal, and Barcelona’s third.
Ronaldinho received the ball out on the far left, some twenty yards into the Real Madrid half. Next, Ronaldinho took off, tearing directly towards Ramos. Just outside the penalty box, Ronaldinho dinked his body left, seeming to swerve around a bewildered Ramos, before calmly tucking the ball into the right-bottom corner of the goal. Again, Casillas had no chance of saving it such was the coolness of the finish.
It was after this goal that the biggest Ronaldinho standing ovation took place. Watch the video and see for yourself.
