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Brazilian football legend Juliano Belletti has passionately defended Ronaldinho’s lasting influence on modern football, insisting that Neymar merely perfected what the 2002 World Cup winner originally created. In the aftermath of Brazil’s heartbreaking exit from the 2026 World Cup, the ex-Barcelona defender sought to dispel misconceptions surrounding Ronaldinho’s career while highlighting his profound impact on the country’s all-time leading goalscorer.

Neymar retires after Brazil’s 2026 World Cup exit

Following Brazil’s stunning 2-1 defeat to Norway in the Round of 16, Neymar officially announced his retirement from international football. The iconic forward ends a glittering national career as the Seleção’s top scorer of all time, recording an impressive 80 goals and 59 assists in 130 appearances for his country.

Even with such remarkable statistics, Neymar’s legacy continues to be compared with that of Ronaldinho, who inspired Brazil’s 2002 World Cup triumph. Among those who see a strong connection between the two superstars is former teammate Juliano Belletti.

Belletti credits Ronaldinho as Neymar’s inspiration

The former right-back, who shared the pitch with Ronaldinho at both Barcelona and for Brazil, shared his thoughts on how Neymar’s trademark style evolved from the creative brilliance of his predecessor. Speaking to DAZN, Belletti emphasised that much of Neymar’s approach to the game was built upon the innovations that Ronaldinho introduced years earlier.

“I believe Neymar does what Ronaldinho invented and created,” Belletti said, tracing the roots of Brazil’s distinctive flair back to the two-time FIFA World Player of the Year. “Ronaldinho came up with so many things – those close-control dribbles, the back-heel passes, and the flicks over defenders. Combining all that with Brazilian magic, Neymar comes directly from that school.”

Hard work behind the magic

Belletti also challenged the common perception that Ronaldinho relied solely on natural talent without rigorous training. He stressed that behind the scenes, the playmaker was incredibly disciplined and committed to constant improvement.

“It might not look like it, but Ronaldinho trained a lot – I say this very seriously,” Belletti recalled, describing their demanding small-sided sessions in Barcelona. “On a small pitch, in tight spaces, he would play one-on-one or two-on-two every day and every week. The strength he needed for those dribbles and to keep moving forward – none of that was faked; he never went down easily.”

He added, “With his quality and work ethic, he became the model for players like Neymar to follow and be inspired by, allowing Neymar to achieve what he has today.”

End of an era for Brazil

Neymar’s farewell comes after a disappointing campaign for both him and the national team. Having missed Brazil’s first two group-stage matches through injury, he returned to play in the final group-stage victory over Scotland. In the knockout clash against Norway, Neymar started on the bench but came on to score a late penalty, which wasn’t enough to prevent Brazil’s elimination from the tournament.

With his departure, Brazilian football bids goodbye to one of its most gifted modern players — a star whose career both honoured and extended the legacy of those who came before, particularly Ronaldinho.