It's hard to believe it's been just three years since Ronaldinho became the first player since Maradona to march into Santiago Bernabeu as an opposing player and inspire fans to deliver a standing ovation.
It's hard to believe it's been just two years since Ronaldinho hauled Barcelona to the Champions League title, and we heard media members around the globe proposition him as the best footballer ever, in their typical "what's-latest-is-greatest style."
It's hard to believe it's been just one year since Barcelona turned down yet another bid for Ronaldinho from Chelsea, this time for £55 million.
It's hard to believe that after all of the above, a seeking-to-sell Barca are struggling to find a single top club willing to take a chance on the buck-toothed Brazilian.
Perhaps the big clubs are correctly evaluating Ronaldinho.
You don't have to be Piet de Visser to notice that Ron Ron has been doing his best Fat Frank impression. He gained as much weight in as short a span of time as a typical American female in her first semester away at college. The now husky attacker lacks much of the quickness that allowed him to blow by wave after wave of defenders in his prime.
A quick look at his productivity in the last two seasons also calls into question whether he is still a Sambafoot genius. While he has posted a tremendous goal rate in La Liga (29 goals in his last 49 appearances), he's scored just three times in his last 16 Champions League matches.
Finally, he's followed the example set by compatriot Ronaldo and spent much of the last year being lambasted for his habit of partying late into the night, every night. Yet, he kept on partying.
Barcelona has had enough; Pep Guardiola wants Ronaldinho to go overseas come the start of the 2008-09 season.
Interest has been tepid, to say the least.
Manchester City wanted him to serve as a sort of circus figurehead for Thaksin Shinawatra's crazy regime. Ronaldinho wasn't having it, even at £200,000 per week. It seems he still sees himself as a big-club fixture, which is vital as it shows he stills harbors at least a modicum of ambition and pride.
AC Milan keep poking around the idea of allowing Ronaldinho to grace their majestic, fashionable club, with the caveat that it happen only on their terms (dirt-cheap in terms of both transfer fee and salary).
Milan make sense on the surface as they desperately need another world-class attacker. But isn't their problem that all of their players, sans Kaka and Alexandre Pato, are past their peak?
Would Milan be patient if Ronaldinho takes time to round into form or cast him off like they did to Ronaldo? There exist better options for Milan (Adebayor, Arshavin, Gomez, Villa) and Ronaldinho.
Who's left for Ronaldinho then?
He would likely approve a move to a top club in any of the three major leagues (La Liga, Serie A, and EPL).
Real Madrid are the only other Spanish club big enough for him, and they've only got one Galactico on their mind (Cristiano Ronaldo).
Jose Mourinho despises superstars with a sense of self-entitlement, so that rules out Inter Milan.
Are Juventus even elite anymore after being relegated because of the match-fixing scandal? Their other signings this transfer window suggest they are not.
That leaves Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool.
Manchester United would be an option if Cristiano Ronaldo is sold. Ronaldinho would fit perfectly as a direct replacement. Chalk United up as an intriguing, though unlikely, destination.
Chelsea are definitely a threat to swoop for Ronaldinho. His brother/agent has dropped Chelsea's name in recent weeks. Ronaldinho even helped lead a Luiz Felipe Scolari team to World Cup glory in 2002.
They've got plenty of money and are always looking to make a splash. The problem is that they don't really need Ronaldinho. How many attacking midfielders, supporting strikers, and wingers can one side keep happy? Would he elevate Chelsea at all?
Both Gooners and Kopites believe, that despite what the standings have told the last three seasons, their teams are best. Yet, they simply possess a warped sense of perception.
The Big Four is now a Big Two, with two more very good sides lagging slightly behind.
Arsenal and Liverpool lack the spending power enjoyed by Manchester United and Chelsea, and an objectively executed position-by-position comparison shows a clear disparity between the talents of the sides.
Still, both are big enough for Ronaldinho. They have appeared in Champions League finals in the last three seasons. They both possess a few true world-class players, and they both have the stature and managers to satisfy and humble a former FIFA World Player of the Year.
And, Ronaldinho at his best could single-handedly close the gap between each club, and the two above them.
It's worth reminding that Arsenal's young squad finished the 2007-08 season four points off the title and just two points below Chelsea. That begs the question: Why would they touch Ronaldinho and mess with their seemingly assured upward trajectory?
While one may expect all to bode well for next season and beyond, some of the core players responsible for last season's impressive performance are on the way out.
Mathieu Flamini has already sealed a move to Milan. Emmanuel Adebayor may not be far behind; that is, unless he goes to Barcelona with Alexander Hleb.
If all three do depart as reported, Arsenal will have two huge holes to plug in midfield, while also searching for a way to replace Adebayor's 24 league goals up front.
A fit Ronaldinho could single-handedly replace all of Adebayor's production, and more.
A player with his creativity, dribbling, passing, and technical skills would be perfect for Arsene Wenger's vaunted attacking system. He is a proven goalscorer, who one might bet on to outscore Adebayor next season.
He also would provide the club a recognizable, bankable star with appeal around the world. That element has been missing at Arsenal since Thierry Henry flew out to join him last summer. Cesc Fabregas is an elite player, but not a recognizable face everywhere on the globe.
Arsenal would be on the lips of casual fans once again with the signing of Ronaldinho.
His marketability makes his signing a lot less complicated.
Upon leaving for the United States, reports suggested that David Beckham generated over £300 million for Real Madrid in his four seasons at the club. His presence positively impacted kit sales, television subscriptions, ticket sales, world tours, and brand value.
Ronaldinho would have the same impact on whatever club he ends up playing for, albeit most likely on a lesser scale than Becks.
The same could be said for a move to Liverpool. Financially, the move would pay for itself.
And Liverpool would have similar motive to bring in the Brazilian on the field, too.
Currently, Liverpool possess just three players (Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres, and Javier Mascherano) capable of rivaling their counterparts fielded by Manchester United and Chelsea. Liverpool don't compare beyond that trio, despite what Reds fans believe.
Ronaldinho would bring diversity (outside of Babel, the team is shockingly white) and fun (forget Chelsea, there are few creative players on Liverpool). And playing for such a hardworking team in a blue-collar city should inspire him to put in effort.
Stevie G will get the lads to incorporate him right away. Craig Bellamy is no longer around to hit anyone with golf clubs. If there is one club and city that Ronaldinho would fail to find trouble at, it's Liverpool.
Everyone knows the saying that, in football, form is temporary, class is permanent. In that sense, there isn't a classier player in the world than Ronaldinho.
Arsenal and Liverpool would be foolish to pass on him when poor form and a few pies have rendered him a bargain. If Ronaldinho wants to recapture his inner Samba class, there would be no better place than Emirates or Anfield.
Labels: AC Milan, Arsenal, Billynho, Liverpool, Ronaldinho, SOC
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