Ronaldinho. The embodiment of Jogo Bonito — the beautiful game — so good that Nike built an entire campaign, Joga Bonito ("play beautifully"), around him. A player who could do things with a ball most can only dream of. To this day, no one has played the game quite like him — with effortless skill and that ever-present beaming smile. With the great man coming to Australia, we thought it was the perfect time to get our hands on some classic Tiempos to display in-store. And what better time to write about him? 

Since his last visit to these shores in 2000, Ronaldinho has won it all — the World Cup, the Champions League, the Ballon d'Or. But the trophies only tell part of the story. His journey transcends accolades; it’s one of artistry, joy, and freedom on the pitch. When Ronaldinho played, it wasn’t just football; it was something else entirely. A completely different level. It was as though the ball obeyed him, as if it were a part of his very being.

2018 - Nike 10R Tiempo Legend VII

To kick things off, we’re jumping forward to go back with the Nike 10R Tiempo Legend VII. Breathtaking, aren’t they? These VIIs hark back to the 2005 Tiempo Air Legend 1 in white and gold — the boots that genuinely sent the football world into a frenzy. 

The originals dropped on August 25th, 2005, and everyone remembers the Nike advert that premiered on YouTube the same day. The one where Ronaldinho was presented with a gold briefcase showcasing the boot-nerd-redefining Air Legend 1s in white and gold. Those with a keen eye will notice that the black and white pair on display were the ones that Ronaldinho wore out onto the field before receiving his pair. 

I, like many, remember sitting in school as a 14-year-old, eyes glued to the screen. Ronaldinho was real. And yet, what we were seeing… surely not? He nonchalantly laces them up, juggles the ball to the edge of the box, and proceeds to play ping pong with the crossbar. The amazing thing was — and even to this day, you still wonder — was it CGI? Probably, but then again, he could’ve pulled it off if you’d actually tasked him with the challenge. That’s how freakishly talented Ronaldinho, then just 25 years old, was.

The ad went just as well as you’d imagine. Kids all over the world were out in schoolyards, from Porto Alegre to Barcelona, attempting the ‘Ronaldinho crossbar challenge,’ hoping they too could pull it off. Was it real? Who cares — if only they had those Tiempos. For those into trivia, it became the first-ever video on YouTube to hit one million views. Crazy, right? Of all the millions of videos now on the platform, Ronaldinho will always hold that number one spot — just like he’ll always hold number one in the hearts and minds of football fans. 

Football has always been about joy, but Ronaldinho didn’t just play with joy — he made you feel it, even through a screen. In an era dominated by tactics, structure, and the rise of analytics, he was a throwback to street football, with a touch so precise and skills so unpredictable, they could break down even the most disciplined of defences.

These boots hold the top spot when it comes to the best Tiempo, and potentially the best boots of all time. The white and gold colourway was designed for him and remains one of the most iconic whenever any brand tries to use it. You’d still find kids attempting the ‘Ronaldinho crossbar challenge,’ convinced they could pull it off — if only they had those Tiempos.

The 2018 model did an incredible job paying homage to the original pair, with some modern upgrades that made them even better. The stitching was almost identical, with five stars representing Brazil’s five World Cup titles — one of which Ronaldinho helped win in 2002. There was also Velcro under the tongue to keep it in place (and looking incredible), the 10R logo on the modern insole, and the words paixão (passion) and alegria (joy) perfectly summed him up as a player and as a person.

Those lucky enough to get their hands on a pair will own a boot that continues to rise in value year after year — for anyone mad enough to sell them. Limited to just 1,000 pairs globally, they’re our favourite Nike release of all time. You just can’t beat a pair of Tiempos in K-leather that encapsulates all the best parts of football: the pure joy and fun the game, at its core, provides to millions.

When you consider the impact he had on the club, genuinely transforming their fortunes and helping create one of the most memorable and successful teams in history, it’s a legacy for the ages. And if there’s only one clip you watch from his time in these boots, make it this one. Not just for his performance on the pitch — at Barcelona's biggest rivals, in the most watched rivalry in world sport — but for what happened off it. The Santiago Bernabéu crowd, fierce and unrelenting in their desire to win, gave him a standing ovation. This was no ordinary thing, for the player who made the extraordinary feel like the norm.

2006 - Nike Tiempo Air Legend 1 Signature Edition

In 2006, fresh off Barcelona’s La Liga win and their Champions League triumph against Arsenal, and with the World Cup in Germany on the horizon, Nike decided to take things up another notch. They presented Ronaldinho with a signature edition of the Tiempo Air Legend 1. This time, they doubled down on the gold, flipping the original 2005 design and dipping the boots almost entirely in gold, with a white Swoosh, five stars on the heel, and intricate detailing across the upper and studs rounding off a classic. It was a bold move by Nike, but with Ronaldinho, they had the perfect man to pull it off.

Nike has a history of showing up in style for major tournaments — think the Nike Premier in 1994, the Nike Mercurial in 1998 — you get the picture. For 2006, following their dream partnership with Brazil, who were eyeing back-to-back World Cup triumphs to add to their 2004 Copa America title, Ronaldinho was their star player destined to take them to glorious heights once again. In 2002, he played a starring role, pulling off the extraordinary with that audacious chip against David Seaman. It was reminiscent of the ping pong ad. To this day, people still wonder: was it a miskick or a stroke of genius, spotting the keeper off his line? Did he mean it? Was it fake? When it came to his brilliance, things were often questioned. Whatever it was, the goal helped Brazil on their way to the final, where they defeated Germany 2-0.

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The moment Nike chose to make the world talk again was during the first game of the knockout rounds in 2006, against Ghana. Ronaldinho stepped onto the Dortmund pitch in those gleaming gold boots, and with boots that stunning, there could only be one outcome. Ronaldinho turned it on, as did his teammates, securing a 3-0 win over Ghana. Next up was France in the quarterfinals, but unfortunately, Ronaldinho’s quest for a second World Cup winner’s medal ended there. France, led by Zinedine Zidane, were too strong for the Seleção that day.

While the result didn’t favour Ronaldinho, this period is still regarded as a golden one for him — especially in terms of his superstardom and his relationship with Nike. This was Ballon d'Or Dinho. At the height of the Joga Bonito campaign, a time when Nike’s ads were as iconic as the football they celebrated. Off the back of incredible storytelling like the Secret Tournament and the aforementioned crossbar ping pong ad, Nike dropped the Brazil vs. Portugal classic in 2005 to stoke the flames ahead of the World Cup. Luis Figo, in his immaculate Portugal kit and T90s, requests the ball from the referee before nutmegging Ronaldo — not once, but twice — with an “Ole” thrown in for good measure. Roberto Carlos then delivers a strong challenge and returns the “Ole,” sparking pandemonium both on and off the pitch, highlighted by a neat little cameo from Francesco Totti. The whole scene is set perfectly to Perry Como’s “Papa Loves Mambo,” and when Ronaldinho takes the ball on his chest, exploding out of the players' tunnel and onto the pitch, skinning two defenders with his iconic ‘Flap Jack’ move, you’re left gasping as the glorious chaos ends with him getting absolutely flattened by the referee. Unreal.

After the brilliance of the Brazil vs. Portugal ad, Nike kept the momentum going with another classic the following year — The Chain. It kicks off with the ever-mysterious Eric Cantona asking, “What is Joga Bonito?” His answer: “This question can only be answered with the feet.” After a few quick juggles, he knocks the ball to the side of the screen, and it rolls onto the Nou Camp’s pristine grass, where Ronaldinho mesmerised teammates, opponents, and fans for years. Ronaldinho flicks up the ball, performs a few tricks, and passes it on, continuing the chain to locations all around the globe. It’s an ad you can watch year after year — Ronaldinho pops in throughout, keeping the momentum going before closing it out with his signature Shaka celebration, handing it back to Cantona, who wraps things up with, “Enough said. Joga Bonito.”

Pele may have popularised the term Jogo Bonito, but with Nike, Ronaldinho started a revolution with Joga Bonito — a campaign that remains the pinnacle of football nostalgia to this day.

2007 - Nike 10R Tiempo

After Brazil’s disappointing World Cup campaign, Ronaldinho’s magic continued to shine, and Nike gave him yet another signature edition to keep the momentum going. The story goes that at the Nike design centre, Ronaldinho picked up a pen and drew a big circle on the instep of his previous model, showing how large he wanted his new sweet spot to be. The result? The 10R Tiempo Ronaldinho — boots that signified strength, inspiration, and joy, crafted in luscious K-leather. Kicking off in Black with further editions in Pearl, Red, Cinder, and Obsidian, these boots quickly became collector’s items for fans around the world.

The Tiempo 10R boots launched in late 2006, perfectly crafted for an unforgettable season in which Ronaldinho would score a ton of goals. With a refreshed look and a touch of his unmistakable flair, these boots became an extension of the man himself.

The 2006/07 season saw Ronaldinho in full flow again, hitting the back of the net 24 times and notching up 14 assists across all competitions for Barcelona — marking his best-ever goal haul in a single season for the club. It was a year that captured everything fans loved about him: audacity, unpredictability, and that beaming smile as he left defenders in his wake. These weren’t just goals; they were moments, each one a display of the sheer joy he found in playing.

The highlight of the season came on November 25, 2006, against Villarreal at Camp Nou. With the game underway, Ronaldinho decided to deliver something unforgettable — a goal that would live on in history. As Xavi floated a clever pass into the box, Ronaldinho took the ball on his chest, spun the opposite way from what everyone was expecting, and unleashed an overhead kick that flew into the back of the net. It was a goal that only he could have envisioned, let alone executed with such ease. Scoring a goal like that was completely ludicrous, another moment where he made the extraordinary look routine — as if he were just playing on a beach somewhere in Brazil, trying out something ridiculous to show off his talent with friends. 

Nike knew they had to continue something special with Ronaldinho’s line of signature editions, and they knew his boots had to reflect the spirit of his game. The 2007 Tiempo 10R edition embodied the joy, flair, and creativity that Ronaldinho brought to every match. Featuring touches of gold and intricate stitching, they weren’t just a pair of boots; they were a tribute to his unique style of play.

Though Barcelona’s season disappointed, Ronaldinho’s performances were a reminder of the heights he had reached and the influence he still wielded. His partnership with Nike was no longer just a brand-player relationship; it was a celebration of Joga Bonito itself. 

2013 - Nike Tiempo Legend IV

By 2013, Ronaldinho’s journey had come full circle. After conquering European football and leaving a lasting legacy on the global stage, he returned to Brazil, where he joined Atlético Mineiro and helped lift the club to unprecedented heights. While some might have thought his best years were behind him, Ronaldinho proved them wrong in the most spectacular way, capturing Atlético Mineiro’s first-ever Copa Libertadores title. For the club, the fans, and Ronaldinho himself, this was a moment of pure ecstasy — one that cemented his legacy in Brazil and made him an eternal hero in Belo Horizonte.

Wearing the iconic Nike Tiempo Legend IV, Ronaldinho orchestrated Atlético’s run to Copa Libertadores glory, showing the same audacity and skill that had defined his career. The Tiempo Legend IV was the perfect boot for this final chapter of his legacy, combining the unmatched touch and feel synonymous with the Tiempo line with advanced innovations for peak performance. The IV edition was one of the most sought-after and anticipated Tiempo releases — so much so that Nike would later pay homage to it in 2020 by coating the then-current-gen Tiempo Legend VIII in the same color treatment as part of the Future DNA pack. A pair of boots we still have in our vault.

The Tiempo Legend IV featured a carbon fiber plate, Flywire upper, and a new stud configuration, delivering a blend of tradition and technology that matched Ronaldinho’s timeless style. It held the title of the lightest Tiempo ever at the time, weighing in at 20 grams lighter than its predecessor.

For Ronaldinho, the Copa Libertadores win with Atlético Mineiro was more than just another trophy. This was a unique, never-before-achieved victory on home soil with a club unfancied to win such an illustrious competition. It was, once again, a chance to bring the joy of football to a new generation of fans in Brazil. His partnership with Nike and the Tiempo boots had taken him from the streets of Porto Alegre to the world’s biggest stages and now back to the heart of Brazilian football in the twilight of his career. With the Copa Libertadores trophy held aloft, he cemented his place as one of football’s true immortals, silencing any critics who may have questioned his commitment to the beautiful game. While he may not have coined the term Joga Bonito, he lived it through every touch on the ball. Not his place of work — but his place of play.

With Atlético Mineiro, Ronaldinho closed his career from a trophy perspective in fitting style, wearing one of the most celebrated Tiempo models ever made. In many ways, it was the perfect ending to his story — a player who, like the Tiempo Legend IV, balanced tradition with innovation, showing the world that true greatness never goes out of style.

Keen to join Ronaldinho in a fresh pair of Nike Tiempos? You can pick up a pair from the most recent pack in-store in Melbourne or Sydney, or online at ultrafootball.com now.