There are few players in the history of football who can be as loved and adored as Ronaldinho.
The Brazilian legend for many is the reason they fell in love with football, as his tricky and showmanship captivated the imaginations of everyone who watched him with a ball at his feet.
A moment in time – AC Milan visit Portsmouth, 2008
Although he is best remembered for his time as Barcelona’s greatest number 10 not named Lionel Messi, Ronaldinho also had a fairly successful stint at AC Milan. Although many point to this period in his career as the beginning of the end, the Brazilian superstar still had some memorable moments for the Rossoneri.
The Barcelona legend is loved across the world, but Portsmouth fans, though, Ronaldinho will forever be known as the player who broke their hearts.
In their game against Milan, Pompey found themselves 2-0 up with goals from Younes Kaboul and Kanu going into the final 10 minutes. A famous victory looked to be on the cards for Tony Adams’ team against a side that had legends such as Gennaro Gattuso, Kaka, Andriy Shevchenko and Clarence Seedorf on the pitch, but it was Ronaldinho who changed the game.
Six minutes from time, and Milan were awarded a free-kick. The Brazilian superstar, who had been subbed on 10 minutes earlier, stepped up and, well, you know what happens next.
Ronaldinho fired in a world-class free-kick way past the reach of David James, igniting the Milan comeback, and in the 92nd minute, Filippo Inzaghi poked in the equalising goal to send the Serie A side into the Round of 32 of the UEFA Cup.
The result proved to be the difference between Portsmouth making the final 32 and leaving Europe early, as Pompey missed out on progression to the next round by just two points as Wolfsburg and Braga joined Ronaldinho’s Milan in the knockout phase of the UEFA Cup.
Portsmouth’s only venture into Europe might have ended badly, but fans can look back at their run in the UEFA Cup and remember that legends of the modern game had played on their home, and they almost came away the victors had it not been from one moment of genius from Ronaldinho.