Ronaldinho burst into tears after scoring his first goal for Atletico Mineiro in the team's 6-0 victory against Figueirense on Saturday. Ronaldinho floated the ball wide from the left flank into the far top corner of the net and then proceeded to kneel and burst into tears as he was mobbed by his teammates. As he got up, the tearful Ronaldinho looked to and pointed at the sky in an apparent reference to the divine. Dinho proceeded to score a hat-trick in a result that kept Atletico Mineiro in second place in Brazil's Serie A behind Fluminense and ahead of Gremio.
Ronaldinho's stepfather passed away on Friday of a heart attack. The Brazilian attacking midfielder has generally been in a tearful mood of late due to his mother's struggle with cancer. On September 24, Ronaldinho collapsed into tears after Atletico Mineiro's goalless draw against Gremio when the fans held up an image of his mother, Miguelina, and a sign with the words "Faith in God." Usually known for his ebullient smile, Ronaldinho has been in stunning form this season with Atletico Mineiro, so much so that Brazil coach Mano Menezes has suggested he may be recalled to the Brazilian national team.