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06/23/2006
World-Ronaldinho set to finally show his best for Brazil
By Brian Homewood
RIO DE JANEIRO, May 26 (Reuters) - Ronaldinho burst on to the international scene in a 1999 Copa America game against Venezuela when he scored a goal reminiscent of Pele's 1958 famous World Cup final effort.
Two minutes after coming on as a substitute for his second international appearance, the 19-year-old Ronaldinho flicked the ball over a defender, swept past another and fired the ball into the goal between goalkeeper Renny Vega and the near post.
It was clear that Brazil had unearthed another gem.
Seven years on, Ronaldinho is widely acclaimed as the world's best. No other player has such a wide range of tricks at his disposal and no other player seems to enjoy himself, as illustrated by Ronaldinho's trademark grin.
Yet there is still an underlying feeling in Brazil that something is missing from Ronaldinho's career.
Despite that spectacular goal in 1999 and his presence in the 2002 World Cup winning team, Ronaldinho has yet to perform at his very best for his country on a consistent basis.
There have been flashes of his brilliance but, as often as not, he has failed to meet expectations.
In 2002, for example, he played second fiddle to Rivaldo and Ronaldo and blotted his copybook by being sent off early in the second half of the quarter-final against England shortly after scoring the winning goal
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