Ronaldinho Gaucho’s European adventure coming to an end (Part 2)
For Selecao, Ronaldinho was a beast. His crowning moment came at Korea-Japan 2002 as Ronaldinho, along with equally legendary Ronaldo and Rivalo, ripped apart the world defences. While Rivaldo and Ronaldo stole the highlights, Ronaldinho had a stunning campaign
and his wonder free kick against England is just one of his magical moments. Kaka and Ronaldinho had a poor world cup 2006 but Ronnie’s services to Selecao over the years are enough to merit him a place in the Brazilian folk lore.
For all his prodigious skill and record breaking accomplishments that included a standing ovation from Santiago Bernabeu crow, Ronaldinho was finding it hard letting go of his samba parties. The greatest player of his generation frequently missed out on
trainings and his physical fitness slowly started to desert him. Ronnie was unable to match the extraterrestrial form he frequently exhibited in his glory days and many questioned his lack of work ethic. With Lionel Messi coming of age and Pep Guardiola taking
the managerial charge of Los Cules, Barcelona decided to offload the troubled star and they found a willing buyer in AC Milan.
At San Siro, Ronaldinho simply couldn’t co-exist with his fellow samba star Kaka and Carlo Ancelotti preferred the later over Ronnie. Ronaldinho still managed 35 appearances in his debut season while also scoring a decent 10 goals. However, Ancelotti departed
for Chelsea and Kaka was sold to Real Madrid in 2009 and Ronaldinho was finally given the chance he deserved by the new coach Leonardo. While Ronaldinho’s Barcelona can never be matched, he still played an impressive campaign last year as he scored 15 goals
while assisting in 17 others. Many declared the Ronaldinho had returned to his former days but it was a false dawn.
Leonardo resigned at AC Milan and Massimiliano Allegri was brought in to lead the Rossoneri. The former Cagliari tactician expects exemplary work-rate from his players and Ronaldinho simply doest fit the bill. The mercurial Brazilian has lost much of his
pace and while he still possesses a genius brain, it’s not enough to convince the Rossoneri tactician. To make matters worse, Ronaldinho has not learnt his lessons and can be frequently seen partying in the world’s fashion capital. With Alexandre Pato, Zlatan
Ibrahimovic and Robinho ahead in the pecking order, Ronaldinho’s days at San Siro are limited and his reluctance in taking a pay-cut on an exorbitant 7.5 million Euros annual salary has not won him any sympathy.
In recent days, Liverpool FC have come as surprise candidates for his signature. However, it’s arguable whether the former world player of the year can even come close to his Barcelona days. Judging by the anonymous display Ronaldinho produced last night,
Ronaldinho’s European adventure is nearing its end. It’s sad really. At just 30 years of age, Ronaldinho should be in his prime, tearing apart even the best of defences, but sadly that is not the case.
While it was a privilege watching the best player of the last decade taking to the pitch, he needs to go back to Brazil. Ronaldinho is too young to retire but he doesn’t have the legs to compete at the highest level of football. Ronnie, please go home. We
all adore you for what you have given to the beautiful game but it’s a heart-breaking moment watching you struggle against average Serie A defenders. Your services to football are needed in Brazil, not in Europe.
Tags: