On This Day: Ronaldinho retired; Bayern appointed Guardiola as coach

Hi all, welcome to All Football's On This Day! Let's find out what happened today (January 16th) in football history. If you have more stories and news that happened on this day in history, please post them in the comment area and share them with AFers!

On this day in 2018, Magical playmaker Ronaldinho announced his retirement

On 16 January 2018, Ronaldinho confirmed his retirement from football through his brother/agent: "He has stopped, it is ended. Let's do something pretty big and nice after the Russia World Cup, probably in August." He retired as one of just seven players to have won the FIFA World Cup, the UEFA Champions League and the Ballon d'Or.

Ronaldinho began his career with Gremio in Brazil before joining PSG in 2001. It was his time at Barcelona that came to define his career, winning two La Liga titles, one Champions League trophy and one Ballon d'Or in a five-year stay at the Nou Camp. Ronaldinho then spent three years with AC Milan, winning one Serie A title in an illustrious team that included David Beckham, Andrea Pirlo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. 

At the international level, Ronaldinho played 97 matches for the Brazil national team, scoring 33 goals and representing his country in two FIFA World Cups. He was an integral part of the 2002 FIFA World Cup-winning team in Korea and Japan, starring alongside Ronaldo and Rivaldo in an attacking trio, scoring two goals, including a free-kick from 40 yards out against England.

On this day in 2013, Bayern announced Guardiola would take over as manager

On 16 January 2013, it was announced that Guardiola would take over as manager of Bundesliga club Bayern Munich after the 2012–13 season, replacing Jupp Heynckes for the following season.

Guardiola's first official match was the German Super Cup against Borussia Dortmund, with Bayern losing 4–2. His first trophy with Bayern was the 2013 UEFA Super Cup, defeating longtime adversary José Mourinho, who had just returned to coach at Chelsea.

On 20 December, Bayern confirmed that Guardiola was leaving the club after his contract expires at the end of the season. After winning 7 trophies for Bayern Munich, Guardiola left the Bavarian club.

On this day in 2010, Messi scored his 100th goal for Barca

On 16 January 2010, Lionel Messi scored his 100th goal for Barcelona, becoming the youngest person in club history to hit that milestone.

In the league match on 16 January, Palop got off to another good start, keeping the game scoreless through the first half. But shortly after the start of the second half, Barcelona took the lead with a 49th-minute own goal from center back Julien Escudé. A chip from Barça striker Pedro doubled their lead in the 70th minute.

Then Messi struck. In the 84th minute, he scored his record 100th club goal from just outside the six-yard box. At 22 years, six months, and 22 days old, he was the youngest player in club history to score a century. But he didn't stop there, adding another in the first minute of stoppage time to extend the final score to 4-0.

Now nine years later, he has a current total of 575 goals for Barca.

On this day in 2014, Xavi made his 700th appearance for Barca

As Barcelona cruised to a 6-0 aggregate victory over Getafe to advance in the Copa del Rey, Xavi Hernandez made his 700th appearance for the Barcelona senior team. 

With Barcelona, Xavi won eight La Liga titles and four UEFA Champions League titles. He has won 31 trophies for Barcelona and Spain, a total only surpassed by Andrés Iniesta as the most successful Spanish player in history.

He came third in the 2009 FIFA World Player of the Year, followed by third place for its successor award, the FIFA Ballon d'Or, in 2010 and 2011. In 2011, he was runner up to Lionel Messi for the UEFA Best Player in Europe Award.

On 21 May 2015, Xavi announced that he would join Qatari club Al Sadd at the end of the 2014–15 season on a three-year contract.

On this day in 2012, Chelsea signed Gary Cahill

On 16 January 2012. Cahill signed for Chelsea for what was believed to be around the region of £7 million, and the negotiating of personal terms. Cahill told the club's official website, "Chelsea is a massive club, it is a club that looks to win trophies season in season out and it is a big opportunity for me to be a part of that. Opportunities like this you can't turn down."

On 18 March 2012, he scored his first goal in a Chelsea shirt against Leicester City in the FA Cup, a 5–2 win. Cahill scored when he rose above Wes Morgan to head the ball from six yards from a Juan Mata corner.

On 26 July 2017, Cahill was appointed as the Chelsea club captain ahead of the 2017–18 season, following John Terry's departure. He captained Chelsea to victory at Wembley Stadium in the 2018 FA Cup Final, his team beating Manchester United 1–0.

On this day in 2002, Zola scored a Magical Mystery Goal

On 16 January 2002, Gianfranco Zola scored a remarkable back-heeled goal as Chelsea rolled over Norwich City in the FA Cup, 4-0.

Zola's moment of brilliance arrived in the 63rd minute, as he met a corner from teammate Graeme Le Saux. As the ball dropped outside the near post, the 35-year old striker met it in midair with his right foot and back-heeled it behind his body. Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri later described the goal as "fantasy" and "magic," while referring to Zola as a "wizard." Zola himself said, "Don't ask me how I did it, because I don't know."

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On this day in 2015, Jermain Defoe joined Sunderland

On 16 January 2015, Defoe joined Premier League club Sunderland after agreeing to a three-and-a-half-year deal, as part of a player exchange deal sending Jozy Altidore to Toronto FC, after completing only 11 months of his four-year deal with Toronto.

He made his Sunderland debut the following day against former club Tottenham. Defoe started the match but was goalless when he was substituted after 75 minutes, ending his record of scoring on his first appearance for every club he has played for.

Happy Birthday to these football men!

On this day in 1958, Welsh coach Toni Pulis was born

Anthony Richard Pulis is a Welsh football manager and former footballer who is the current manager of Championship club Middlesbrough.

Pulis took his first steps into management at Bournemouth, where he was a player/coach and then Harry Redknapp's assistant. He then took control when Redknapp left the club.

His most famous reputation is about to be named the caretaker boss. Pulis has taken over many clubs when they are in or near the relegation zone, and successfully saved them from degradation.

On this day in 1980, former Barca midfielder Seydou Keita was born

Seydou Keita a footballer from the Republic of Mali. A versatile midfielder, he can operate as both a central or defensive midfielder.

He most notably played for Lens (five seasons) and Barcelona (four), winning 14 titles with the latter club after signing in 2008. He started his professional career with Marseille.

Keita represented Mali since the age of 18, appearing in seven Africa Cup of Nations tournaments and winning 102 caps.[2] He also held a French passport.

On this day in 1984, Arsenal defender Lichtsteiner was born

Lichtsteiner was born in Adligenswil, Canton of Lucerne. He began his professional career with Grasshopper and moved to Lille in 2005, helping the French club to Champions League qualification in his first season with the team. In 2008, he joined Italian club Lazio, and won both the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana the following year. In 2011, he signed for Juventus for a fee of €10 million. He played 257 total games for the Turin side over seven years and won 14 trophies, including the Serie A title in each of his seasons with the team. In the summer of 2018, he was signed by Arsenal.

A full international since 2006, Lichtsteiner has earned over 100 caps for Switzerland, making him their third most capped player of all time. He has represented his country at two UEFA European Championships and three FIFA World Cups.

On this day in 1985, former City defender Pablo Zabaleta was born

Born in Buenos Aires, Zabaleta was raised in Arrecifes before being transferred to Espanyol in 2005 for €3 million.

In the summer of 2008, Zabaleta transferred to Premier League club Manchester City. With Manchester City, Zabaleta has won all of English football's major honours: the FA Cup (2011), the Premier League (2012 and 2014), and the Football League Cup (2014 and 2016).

A full international since 2005, Zabaleta represented Argentina at the 2011 and 2015 Copa América, and was part of their team which finished as runners-up in the 2014 FIFA World Cup. He was also in their team which won gold at the 2008 Olympics.

On this day in 1988, former Gunne Nicklas Bendtner was born

Bendtner was born in Copenhagen, Denmark. He signed his first professional contract with Arsenal in 2005. He made his debut in October 2005 in the League Cup against Sunderland. After Bendtner was loaned to Birmingham City, Sunderland and Juventus, he was released by Arsenal in 2014 and transferred to Wolfsburg. In March 2017, he returned to Rosenborg.

Bendtner made his senior international debut for Denmark as an 18-year-old, on 16 August 2006 in a friendly match against Poland, and scored his first international goal in that match. Bendtner was a member of Denmark's 2010 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2012 squads, and helped them qualify for the 2018 World Cup.