We’re officially 57 days away from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and the time to drop a docuseries in relation to the tournament couldn’t be better. Much larger than any championship the USA could produce, the World Cup is the ultimate tournament to crown a world champion in the sport of football (soccer). While it’s not the top sport in the U.S., there’s no better time to learn, embrace, and fall in love with “the beautiful game.” Whether you’re new to the game or a long-time fan, there is no better representative for the sport than the legendary Ronaldinho. Even after retirement, thanks to the internet and social media, his flair, tricks, and championship feats live on today, inspiring generations. Ronaldinho Gaúcho: The One and Only doubles as a beautiful trek down memory lane, and how football is the most beloved sport in the world.
Directed, written, and executive produced by Luis Ara, the three-episode docuseries tells the story of one of the greatest footballers (soccer players) of all time. Through never-before-seen archival footage, audiences are treated to exclusive access to his private life. The series covers the highs and lows of his career, events that transpired off the pitch, and how family has played the utmost importance in his life to this day.
Brazilians’ impact on football is legendary as the country has produced some of the best athletes the sport has ever seen. The impact isn’t just every few years; it’s generational. The greatest player to ever play the game was Edson Arantes do Nascimento, better known to the world as simply Pelé. His greatness influenced the next class of legends, like Luís Figo, Romário, and Ronaldo (Nazário). These were the players who made a lasting impression on Ronaldinho, who would eventually make his debut at Brazilian club Gremio.
You could find a treasure trove of highlights from his glory days at FC Barcelona or Paris Saint-Germain, but it wouldn’t have the same impact as this docuseries. The way Ara weaves everything together, from archival clips to firsthand testimony, generates an emotional understanding of a player who has long been misunderstood. From bad press during his career to the headlining incident in Paraguay, the Brazilian talisman shies away from nothing.
Hearing from the man himself is one thing, but hearing from his brother and agent Assis, and his sister Deisi, lends more credence and authenticity to his character. One notable aspect of Ronaldinho’s career is that he had the opportunity to play alongside some of the biggest names in the sport. It’s only right that some of those same names would appear to speak on his behalf in the series. Players like Lionel Messi, Neymar, Roberto Carlos, Ronaldo (Nazário), Edmílson, Deco, Carles Puyol, and a long list of others.
Ronaldinho Gaúcho: The One and Only gets a 9.5 out of 10. Unlike his previous documentary, The Happiest Man in the World, Ronaldinho goes deeper into his family, his career, and his feelings on a myriad of different topics. As a fan of the game myself, it was most interesting to hear (in great detail) about the incident in Paraguay with his brother, what happened behind the scenes with each of his transfers, and his time at Atlético Mineiro when the club went on one of the craziest win streaks ever seen. The series isn’t rated but has explicit language (and some archival content) and is presented in Portuguese with English subtitles.
Ronaldinho Gaúcho: The One and Only premieres on Netflix on April 16.
-Jon Jones
Genre: Docuseries
Rating: N/A
Runtime: Three episodes | 50 mins
Trailer: Watch
U.S. Release Date: April 16, 2026