Under-17 World Cup: Ronalindho is the only one: Fifa

Panaji: Fifa, the governing body for world football, has confirmed that Ronaldinho is the only player to have won the Fifa U-17 World Cup (1997) and Fifa World Cup (2002).

While there are 12 players, including Ronaldinho, who featured in the U-17 World Cup and then won the World Cup, the former World Player of the Year is the only footballer to have won both the trophies. The 11 players include Toni Kroos, Mario Gotze (both Germany), Emmanuel Petit, Gianluigi Buffon, Alessandro del Piero, Francesco Totti (all Italy), Iker Casillas, Cesc Fabregas, Andres Iniesta, Fernando Torres and Xavi (all Spain).

“The 11 players mentioned in the TOI report have indeed won the Fifa World Cup, but unlike Ronaldinho they played but did not win the Fifa U-17 World Cup,” said a spokesperson for Fifa.

Ronaldinho won the U-17 World Cup in 1997 when Brazil emerged comfortable 2-1 winners against Ghana in Egypt.