Ronaldinho ends his playing career with a short spell at Fluminense in 2015

Ronaldinho's final significant stint as a professional footballer came in 2015 at Fluminense, a Rio de Janeiro club in Brazil's top division. The former Brazil playmaker arrived that year after a spell with Querétaro in Mexico, hoping to revive a career that had slowed since his peak years.

The move was short. Ronaldinho left Fluminense later in 2015, with his contract ending early by agreement between the player and the club. It was his last notable club engagement at the top level, and he did not settle at another professional side afterwards.

The spell mattered because of the stature of the player. Ronaldinho had won the 2002 World Cup with Brazil, lifted the Champions League with Barcelona in 2006 and was named the world's best player in the mid-2000s. His flair, dribbling and smile made him one of the most popular footballers of his generation.

Although his playing days faded in 2015, his retirement was only confirmed years later, in 2018, by his brother and agent. That long gap is why his return to the pitch in Italy's third tier, years afterwards, drew such wide attention.