RONALDINHO has swapped penalty boxes for ballot boxes by going into politics.
The former Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona and AC Milan star has joined the PRB republican party in his native Brazil.
Ronaldinho, 38, will now stand for election in national polls later this year.
But the football legend and bosses of his right-wing party have yet to decide whether he will seek election as a senator or deputy.
The attacking midfielder hung up his boots earlier this year.
He has played for Brazilian clubs Flamengo, Atletico Mineiro and Fluminense, plus Mexican outfit Queretaro, since leaving Milan in 2011.
Ronaldinho was presented at a ceremony in capital Brasilia on Tuesday.
PRB chief Eduardo Lopes beamed: “I can’t look at Ronaldinho without remembering that goal he scored against England at the 2002 World Cup.
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“It was a unique opportunity, our last chance in the game, and the guy came up with a goal like that.”
Brazil beat the Three Lions 2-1, with Rivaldo and Ronaldinho overturning Michael Owen’s opener. The politician-in-waiting was later sent off.
Fellow PRB bigwig Celso Russomanno added: “Ronaldinho has great experience in the domain of sport, and he wants to defend our party’s colours in Congress.
“He is a famous name who has done much for sport, and will hopefully do the same in politics.
“We will talk with him to see whether he wants to stand for the Senate or the Chamber of Deputies.”
Ronaldinho won 97 Brazil caps, scoring 33 goals.
He won the 2006 Champions League with Barcelona, and has also collected La Liga and Serie A titles.
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