Like much of what has happened in his football career up to now, Ronaldinho's trademark image, his smile, could be described as winning. But it seemed he had left it at home on 20 December when he picked up football's most prestigious individual prize at the glitzy award ceremony in Zurich, Switzerland. Though nerveless when treading grass in front of thousands, the sudden realisation of the significance of his achievement left the 24-year-old, apparently shellshocked, far removed from the assuming confidence often associated with football's biggest stars.

"Everybody was saying 'you're going to win, you're going to win' but until the very last moment I had no idea," he laughs, much more relaxed at Barcelona's Nou Camp. "It was a beautiful ceremony and I'm just itching to be part of it again, many times more in fact."

Ronaldinho Gaucho is a restless character. With sudden, jerky movements, a toothy grin that can evaporate as quickly as it flashes on a face of angelic innocence, he hops and skips around the Nou Camp after training. As is his increasingly demanding routine, he poses for a picture here and answers a question there before returning to the bosom of his family transplanted from Porto Alegre to the Catalan capital.

But make no mistake - Ronaldinho is a footballer whose feet are firmly planted on the ground. Being chosen as the best footballer on the planet has touched him deeply and the ball wizard from the back streets of Brazil's southern city is now determined to give something back to the world.

"I know what it's like when life is not easy; to suffer, and that's why I'd never turn down an opportunity to help," he says suddenly serious again in a voice that could be described as a hushed whisper.

Barcelona's number 10 and Brazil's joker in the pack at the 2002 FIFA World Cup is very much aware of his roots and of the extraordinary talent he was blessed with. One of the most frequent visitors to the Catalan club's small chapel, Ronnie is in no doubt where to show his gratitude.

"I thank God for giving me good health. Sometimes we footballers complain about the smallest of things when there are people out there with profound problems," says the striker, brought up in the modest Vila Nova barrio of the city. "I am conscious of where I came from and will always think of these people. I will try to make them feel better they best way I know - by playing football."

Troubled by a nagging ankle injury at the start of the Spanish season, Ronaldinho is starting to hit peak form just when Barcelona most need it. The winter break and the boost of being named the world's best appear to have given the Brazilian star his edge back.

"I'm feeling very proud right now," he says breaking into a smile and letting go of the "R" chain around his neck he has absentmindedly been fingering. "For me, this award is the result of many years of hard work and dedication. It gives me a lot of pleasure to know that my work is known globally and to think that people all over the world know who I am. I'm living my dreams. I'm trying to enjoy the best days of my life to the full and, at the same time, set an example to the youngsters."

The former Gremio and Paris Saint-Germain player is no stranger to charity events. Last year, he travelled with his Brazilian team-mates to Haiti, a country devastated by civil war and hurricanes, for a match labelled "football for peace". More recently, he has added his voice and lent his face to the fight against racism in the game. So when he heard about the devastation caused by the giant seaquake in the Indian Ocean, it was no surprise that he wanted to do something.

"The full extent of the disaster didn't really reach us until I was in Brazil," he says. "I remember that I was travelling by plane on my way back home to my city (Porto Alegre) and everyone was talking about it. The pictures were on television and we were really shocked. We all asked ourselves what we could we do to help.

"Then when I returned to Barcelona, I was contacted through the club and asked if I would like to play a part. I said I would be honoured to lead one of the teams and we started to organise the match. I'm just delighted to be playing with the best players in the world for such a noble cause. Footballers don't have that much spare time but we try to do the best we can and participate in such matches."

On the eve of the match, Valentine's Day, a clutch of famous and not-so-famous players will be at the Paris wedding of his country team-mate and club rival Ronaldo, the Real Madrid striker who was known as Ronaldinho in his sensational year at Barcelona in 1996. Many attending the Brazilian's third marriage will jet back to Barcelona to play in the charity game for either Shevchenko or Ronaldinho Gaucho's team.

"Everyone on my team is very experienced and has played in similar matches like this before so what can I tell them?" says the World XI captain on the words he will say ahead of kick off. "But I'll probably ask them to enjoy themselves and play to the public as much as possible. And of course to thank them for coming to play in such a special match to help raise money for those people who so much need it."

His eyes light up and once again the smile shines through his features. Ronaldinho, the player who has perhaps done most to bring pride back to Catalonia, radiates enough energy to bring some hope to more distant regions of the world.