RONALDINHO, “the ever-smiling magician” of Barcelona, as described by his former club, has ended his professional career. Roberto Assis, the brother and agent of the 2005 Ballon d’Or winner, announced Tuesday that the 37-year-old wants to play a series of farewell matches from August — and then focus on his already busy life off the pitch. Ronaldinho played his last professional match in 2015 for Brazilian club Fluminense. “Ronnie’s professional career is over. He wants to be a football ambassador, do charity, and work with his friends in music from now on,” Assis said. Assis hopes to schedule some farewell matches for Ronaldinho after the World Cup in Russia, which ends July 15. The initial plan is to play games in Brazil, Europe and Asia and to also get Brazil’s national team involved, Assis said. Last July, Ronaldinho said on the sidelines of a friendly in Chechnya that he was “too old” to return to action. He repeated that to a Brazilian TV in November, but did not rule out reconsidering. Ronaldinho’s decorated career also includes one World Cup title (2002), one Champions League victory (2006), two Spanish league titles with Barcelona, and two FIFA World Player of the Year awards (2004 and 2005). He played 101 matches and scored 35 goals for Brazil from 1997 to 2013. “We pay tribute to this ace that shone using the yellow shirt,” Brazil’s soccer confederation posted on Twitter. At the 2002 World Cup, Ronaldinho played second fiddle to midfielder Rivaldo and striker Ronaldo, but he was instrumental in the 2-1 quarterfinal victory over England, with an assist and scoring a remarkable free kick goal from long range. Four years later, with Brazil as heavy favorites for the title and Ronaldinho considered the best player in the world, he failed to deliver. Brazil was knocked out in the quarterfinals by France. Ronaldinho started his professional career at Gremio in southern Brazil in 1998. He left for Paris Saint-Germain in 2001 and was signed by Barcelona two seasons later. At the Camp Nou, Ronaldinho was an integral member of a squad that took Barca back to the limelight. He played 207 games and made 94 goals and 61 assists for the team. However, after a series of club trophies, Ronaldinho’s career took a downturn. He was often accused by Brazilian and Spanish media of lacking professionalism, despite his mentoring of a then youthful Lionel Messi. His former club paid tribute to the Brazilian star, tweeting: “Camp Nou’s ever-smiling magician. Thanks for everything!” In 2008, with Messi then leading the Catalan team, Ronaldinho left for AC Milan. Despite being part of a squad that won Serie A in 2011, he failed to reach his previous heights as a player. AC Milan also praised Ronaldinho. “The man who enchanted San Siro and every football fan,” the Italian club said in a Twitter post. When returning home became a real option, Ronaldinho frustrated Gremio’s efforts to re-sign him and joined Flamengo instead. Disappointing performances in Rio de Janeiro took him to Atletico Mineiro. Yet a more mature Ronaldinho took Atletico to a different level. In his last great run, Ronaldinho carried Atletico with his superb passes and dazzling dribbles to second place in the 2012 Brazilian Championship. (SD-Agencies) Career honors RONALDINHO filled his trophy cabinet with countless titles at both club and international level, with the most notable coming in the form of: 2 La Liga crowns 1 Champions League 1 Serie A 1 Copa Libertadores 1 Copa America 1 World Cup For Brazil, Ronaldinho made 97 appearances, scoring 33 goals, including two in the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea. Individual honors: FIFA World Player of the Year (2): 2004, 2005 Ballon d’Or: 2005 UEFA Club Footballer of the Year: 2005-06 Golden Foot: 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup Bronze Ball: 2005 FIFA World Cup All-Star Team: 2002 FIFA Confederations Cup Golden Ball: 1999 FIFA Confederations Cup Golden Shoe: 1999 (SD-Agencies) | 