When it comes to pure entertainment, Ronaldinho is perhaps the greatest footballer of all time.
The Brazilian officially (and finally) retired from football earlier this year, but he’s still involved in the game as an ambassador for Barcelona, the club he spent five seasons with, more than any other club for which he played.
We got our first real glimpse of 18-year-old Real Madrid phenom Vinícius Júnior during Real Madrid’s shock 1-0 defeat to Alaves on Oct. 6, but that appearance (his second for the senior side) was still just a 10-minute cameo.
Last week, The Guardian published its annual “Next Generation” list, featuring 60 of the best young talents born in 2001. Accordingly, these players are only 17, and we all certainly realize the foolish nature of tagging a teenager for predestined greatness (unless they move like Kylian Mbappé).
Beginning with the 1998-99 season, FC Barcelona made the switch from Kappa to Nike, and the Swoosh has been adorning the Blaugrana shirts ever since. Accordingly, 2018 marks 20 years of partnership between the Catalan club and the American corporation, and to celebrate the occasion, Nike is releasing a shirt which incorporates design elements from every Nike Barca home jersey ever released.
During Cristiano Ronaldo’s quicksilver rise at Manchester United and with the Portugal national team — which was highlighted by his inclusion in the 2004 UEFA Team of the Year at the tender age of 19 — perhaps no quote better illustrated the winger’s otherworldly talent than the praise heaped on him by United’s golden No. 7, George Best: “There have been a few players described as the new George Best over the years,” he said, “but this is the first time it’s been a compliment to me.”
The 30 nominees for the 2018 Ballon d’Or award were released today by France Football, and although The Best FIFA Football Awards got tongue’s wagging back on Sept. 24, the gala for the sport’s most prestigious individual prize is expected to follow in a similar vein. (Read: Luka Modric will win, denying Cristiano Ronaldo a third straight triumph.)