One of soccer’s most recognizable and electrifying stars is officially getting his own scripted series. A new biographical drama titled “Época 10: Ronaldinho” is in development and will chronicle the life, rise, and personal struggles of Brazilian soccer legend Ronaldinho Gaúcho, according to Men’s Journal.
The limited series aims to go far beyond highlight reels and trophies, offering a deeper look at the man behind the global phenomenon. Producers say the project will explore Ronaldinho’s brilliance on the field alongside the complicated relationships and off-field challenges that shaped his life and career.
From Global Stardom to Personal Struggles
Produced by Mediacrest Entertainment in collaboration with Playtime Movies, the series traces Ronaldinho’s meteoric rise from his early days in Porto Alegre, Brazil, to international superstardom. His professional journey began with Grêmio before launching him onto the world stage at Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona, and AC Milan.
During his peak years in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Ronaldinho became one of the most celebrated players in soccer history. He won FIFA World Player of the Year twice and earned the Ballon d’Or in 2005 while playing for Barcelona. His joyful style of play and unmatched creativity helped define an era of the sport and turned him into a household name worldwide.
But the series will not shy away from the more difficult chapters. The drama will also explore Ronaldinho’s legal and financial troubles later in life, including unpaid fines that led to his 2020 arrest and brief imprisonment in Paraguay. Producers have emphasized that these moments are essential to telling a complete and honest story.
A Brotherly Bond at the Center of the Story
At the heart of “Época 10: Ronaldinho” is Ronaldinho’s complex relationship with his older brother and longtime manager, Roberto de Assis. The series draws inspiration from real-life interviews with both men and examines how their personal and professional bond became strained as Ronaldinho’s fame exploded.
Mediacrest CEO Cristian Liarte compared their dynamic to the rivalry depicted in the film “Amadeus,” describing it as a relationship shaped by admiration, jealousy, and emotional tension, according to Variety. After the early death of their father, Roberto became a guiding figure in Ronaldinho’s life, a role that brought both loyalty and conflict as success mounted.
The project is being co-produced with Brazil’s Mixer Films, and producers have already completed the pilot script and series bible. The story will span multiple countries, with scenes set in Paris, Barcelona, and Milan, and dialogue in Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, and English.
João Daniel Tikhomiroff, CEO of Mixer Films, summed up the vision clearly, saying the series is “not just about soccer. It’s about Ronaldinho, the man, the character and his journey,” per Variety.
“It’s an extraordinary journey, marked by moments of pure brilliance and moments of deep hardship.”
While the series is moving forward, details about its release and where it will air have not yet been announced.
