http://www.uefa.com/magazine/news/Kind=4/newsid=448845.html On top of the world Friday, 25 August 2006 by Michael Harrold Time seems to slow as Gennaro Gattuso closes in on Ronaldinho. The Brazilian has nowhere to go. He looks to make room with a shimmy, then a stepover but cannot shake the Italian. Then, with a sudden twist to his left, he makes his move. Gattuso, normally so secure in front of the AC Milan back four, is too slow this time and slips. Ronaldinho pounces as his rival tries to recover his footing. In one fluid movement he cuts a deft pass into the path of Ludovic Giuly who releases a rising shot past Dida. It is all over in a matter of seconds. The finish is perfect, but it is the pass that makes the difference. FC Barcelona not Milan will contest the UEFA Champions League final. Challenge It is harsh to single out Gattuso in a season when few had the measure of the Brazilian. The greater the reputation the greater Ronaldinho's motivation, and it was not often he came off second best. Like Gattuso, John Terry was left flat on the floor as the Brazilian burst by him to score the goal that ended Chelsea FC's challenge. There cannot be many more frightening sights for a defender than having the Barca playmaker running at you, but then as Gattuso found out to his cost, Ronaldinho does not need any extra space to open a defence. Leader That ability to spring a trap, to produce the unexpected, set him apart even in a side packed full of inspirational performers. The rugged Carles Puyol at centre-back, the tireless Deco in midfield and the ultimate finisher Samuel Eto'o up front all collected UEFA Champions League awards in Monaco on Thursday for their part in Barcelona's triumph; the UEFA Club Footballer of the Year award, though, went to Ronaldinho, the leader of the pack. Smiling shyly, he looked to deflect attention after collecting his award at the Grimaldi Forum. "The chance I have to do what I love most in life and the fact I can make a difference for other people makes me very happy," he said. "The only way I can react to the good luck I have had is to smile and have a good time and make the most of it." Infectious smile That smile is infectious and told the story of Barcelona's triumph as much as the sheer determination and drive of Steven Gerrard in propelling Liverpool FC to victory in 2005. One year on Ronaldinho is a worthy successor as the UEFA Club Footballer of the Year. Even in the final when it was the supporting cast that ultimately turned the game in Barca's favour, Ronaldinho still had a pivotal role to play, his defence-splitting pass resulting in Arsenal FC goalkeeper Jens Lehmann being sent off for bringing down Eto'o. Attacking trident Ronaldinho was largely subdued in the final, but when he lifted the trophy Paris would get its chance to witness that famous buck-toothed grin that had set the competition alight all season. "I have never played to be the No1 player," he said. "I know perfectly I cannot be the best in the world if my team does not win anything. What is important is to win titles and that's the wish of the team, not the player. At Barcelona we have shown that to be the case." Thrilling Credit to Frank Rijkaard for setting the stage on which the Brazilian thrived. Unlike with Brazil in the summer, for Barcelona Ronaldinho was equipped with willing runners and from the opening whistle he set about taking the opposition apart. The thrilling attacking trident of Ronaldinho, Lionel Messi and Samuel Eto'o swept Werder Bremen, Udinese Calcio and Panathinakos FC aside in the group stage. Ronaldinho helped himself to a hat-trick against Udinese as the Catalan club finished with five wins, 16 goals scored and just two conceded. Magic moment Barcelona were now clear favourites and Ronaldinho would ensure they completed the job. Chelsea were the first to fall, Ronaldinho delivering the killer blow at the Camp Nou. He was on the scoresheet again against Benfica in the last eight, sidefooting in his seventh goal of the competition. Next up Milan, and the moment of magic that sent Barcelona to Paris. After 14 long years and the attempts of countless other star names, it had taken something special for Barcelona to finally recapture the trophy they covet the most. Ronaldinho ensured they would not be denied. -- ██████████████████ --

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