Ronaldinho: The One And Only Review
Director: Luis Ara
Date Created: 2026-04-16 20:13
4.5
Ronaldinho: The One And Only Review: Produced and directed by Luis Ara, this Netflix docuseries on Brazilian football star Ronaldinho Gaúcho documents the career and life of this phenomenal athlete. The show is composed of three episodes of around 55 minutes each, exploring the journey of this iconic footballer. Ronaldinho, considered to be among the best footballers to have walked the planet, revolutionised the way football was played. This series aims to capture the essence and the story behind the making of one of the greatest footballers ever to play the game.
Ronaldinho: The One And Only Review
Watching the Netflix docuseries Ronaldinho: The One And Only, I could see myself being drawn into it like watching a great film rather than going through the process of learning about him by watching a proper documentary. This was because even if you don’t consider yourself an avid fan of football, Ronaldinho has such a fascinating life. Those who have watched him play during their childhood remember him for reasons other than being one of the best players out there.
The documentary series Ronaldinho: The One And Only is very successful in bringing out that spirit. The series highlights the philosophy of “Joga Bonito,” meaning “playing beautiful,” that was portrayed by Ronaldinho in his own style. There is a sense of warmth while watching this film because of the mixture of archival clips and interviews with players who have played against him. Witnessing some of the most memorable goals and the infamous one-touch passes, and smiling at beating the opposing team, was a surreal experience.
It’s something I loved about the documentary is the way it blends praise and reflection, despite the fact that it does not explore all the darker aspects of the player’s story. If you were hoping for an intense exposé packed with scandalous revelations, then you won’t be disappointed with this documentary. It briefly mentions some of the controversies surrounding Ronaldinho’s career, such as his lavish lifestyle, troubles with the law in Paraguay, and claims about his discipline, but it does not spend much time talking about them.
And quite frankly, I did not have a problem with that type of style. After all, there are no requirements on how a story must be told; there is always room for something that will praise excellence without being overly complex. However, at the same time, I believe that a little bit more could have been revealed about the difficulties that this person faced throughout her life.
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The one thing that comes out strongly about Netflix’s Ronaldinho: The One And Only docuseries is the look into the private life of Ronaldinho, particularly his life as far as his family goes. The connection he shares with his brother and manager, Roberto Assis, makes for an intriguing aspect of the narrative. This provides an insight into the decisions made behind the scenes that would help make his life a successful one, not only as a soccer player but off the field as well.
This is enhanced by the inclusion of testimonials from football legends. Testimonies from colleagues and even competitors who speak so highly of Ronaldinho further emphasise his impact on the sport. Either from previous team members or young talents who idolised him, there exists an understanding that legends like Ronaldinho are not easily found.
One of the only possible flaws to this documentary may be the fact that at times, it seems to be rather reverential and almost too cautious, which doesn’t detract from the power and emotion conveyed in the story but leaves one pondering how much more powerful a less restrained version might have been.
By the end of the series, the viewer will no longer remember only Ronaldinho’s successes, but his attitude towards football, which was much more than playing a sport for him. Ronaldinho did not just play football; he played because he loved it, and he wanted everyone around him to share this passion with him.
Netflix Ronaldinho: The One And Only Review: Summing Up
Overall, Ronaldinho: The One And Only proves to be everything that it intended to be, that is, an emotional tribute to one of the greatest talents the game of football has ever seen. Even though the film isn’t one of the most compelling documentaries available, that is not something that it needs to be either.
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