Ronaldinho rounded on critics who said he was finished after he helped lead Brazilian side Atletico Mineiro to the Copa Libertadores title after a penalty shootout victory over Olimpia.
The 2002 World Cup winner
and two-time world player of the year helped his side edge past their
Paraguayan opponents via a penalty shootout to land their first ever
Libertadores crown -- the premier club competition in South America.
Atletico had to rely on
an 87th minute equalizer from Leonardo Silva in the second leg of final
to force the tie into extra time, which remained goalless. This came
just moments after Olimpia defender Julio Cesar Manzur had been sent
off.
Once again, as he had been in both the quarter and semifinals, Atletico's goalkeeper Victor was hailed as hero.
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Having saved penalties to
help his side past Tijuana and Newell's Old Boys, he made a crucial
penalty save after the match had gone to a shootout, Atletico winning
4-3 to land their first major international title.
"This is why I came back
to Brazil," Ronaldinho told reporters. "Not long ago people were saying
that I was done but we showed today that isn't the case. Let them talk
now."
Trailing 2-0 from the
first leg in Paraguay, Atletico halved the deficit with a goal from
former Manchester City striker Jo moments after the second half began.
Olimpia missed a golden
chance to restore their two-goal lead late in the game when Ferreyra
dribbled past Victor but stumbled in front of goal, allowing the
goalkeeper to recover.
But with three minutes remaining Leonardo Silva headed into the far corner to send Atletico's 60,000 fans into raptures.
After a goalless extra
half an hour Victor saved Olimpia's first spot kick in the shootout,
from defender Herminio Miranda, as Atletico went on to convert all four
of their penalties.
It capped a remarkable
triumph for Atleitco in their first Libertadores final. Victor saved a
stoppage time penalty in the quarterfinal against Tijuana to help his
side stay in the competition.
Their semifinal against
Newell's Old Boys, of Argentina, was interrupted by a floodlight
failure, Atletico scoring late on to force another shootout in which
Victor again starred.
"When it's written, it's written -- this was meant for us," said Atletico coach Cuca.
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