The Ronaldinho Conundrum

By: Rob | September 19th, 2009

So the big question from Serie A this week is, what does Milan manager Leonardo do about Ronaldinho? Built up over the summer by Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi as the answer to why Milan never replaced Madrid-bound Ricky Kaká, Ronaldinho looked great on the opening day, but awful in his sides loss at inter-city rivals Inter, and ineffective last weekend in a 0-0 draw.

Pointedly, perhaps, he was left out of Milan’s side which beat OM in the Champions League midweek, and even worse for the former World Player of the Year, Clarence Seedorf stepped into his position and set Pippo Inzaghi up for one of his two goals.

So this weekend, Leonardo has a conundrum – Seedorf or Dhino? Well he might have lucked out of making a choice this weekend, as apaprently The Dhino has a cold and so might not be able to play. Although how truthful that cold is, I have no idea.

But the big question is long term. Is Leonardo going to stick with his compatriat in the long term?

The fall of Ronaldinho has been rather spectacular. Four years ago he would have waltzed into absolutely any team in the world. His smile lit up matches as he seemed to enjoy every moment of every game. Each divine flick, incredible bit of skill or cracking goal was really just icing on the cake.

His joy, was infectious. But sometime around 2006, it all went a bit sour. Brazil didn’t look like Brazil at the last world cup, Kaká stole his thunder in terms of the best player in the world, and he slowly fell out with absolutely everybody at Barcelona, among rumours of weight gain, clubbing and disinterest.

Milan nabbed him away from his soured experience in Catalonia, but despite Silvio Berlusconi obvious man-crush, he never really did it last season for the Rossoneri, and Carlo Ancelotti
wound up dropping him. Which possibly upset his boss more than his leaving to go manage in West London instead.

While I’ve all but given up on seeing the magical Ronaldinho of the first half of this decade, I think he has more to give than he has been showing, and I have to say, I hope Leonardo sticks by him, and he can at least rescue some form, and remind us that, actually, he is a really great player.

More than that, for a player who bought a smile to so many faces for such a long time with his magical football, I’d love to see him get that bucktoothed smile back on his face again.

Besides, if Leonardo’s other option is Seedorf, then sentiment aside, he might as well go for Ronaldinho. No-one is doubting Seedorf’s ability (his Champions League trophy haul alone is staggering) but if your main choice is one ageing genius and another, you might as well go with the younger, arguably more talented one that your boss loves. Right?

Ronaldinho, please come back.

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Category: Serie A, World Football

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rolando

Hay, I think rpnaldinho is a selfish and self center player. A great team is not made of the best players is made of the best unit. He could all I don't think he would really be missed. some times in the best interest of a team a player can contribute better from the sideline. Remember what he said about Eto in FC barcelona, I wish we had Eto instead of him.
Fernando

By the way... Ronaldinho still has more in the gas tank than does Michael Owen or Ronaldo.
Fernando

I don't think his career is over yet, in the Serie-A yeah... its over. But he could still play in the Turkish League? Greece? What about in Celtic FC or Rangers?

Too bad because the horse-faced Brazilian had comic-book soccer skills.
Zico

Please don't write "Dhino." Dinho is bad enough.
Rob

"Rob, I find this often when people discuss this topic, “Ronaldinho, please come back.” Why? Why is it necessary that this returns? Why can’t he be respected for his two good years and forgetten forever"

A Really interesting point. Do you not feel like his legacy is damaged? He probably isn't going to go down as great a player as he would have.

More than anything though I'd like him to come back because he was such a joy to watch before. Its better to have that Ronaldinho in the game than not.
ish

ronaldinho has lost his pace which is what usually allowed him to do his tricks. If he cant beat the defender to the ball after he kicks it away from the defender he is not as good. Add to it the loss of flexibility and agility and he isnt the same player. Its a shame because he will always be the magician of the field. Messi will be better then him but messi is a different kind of player, ronaldinho just made the impossible look easy, messi does the easy stuff at a god like level(his dribbling isnt exactly ronnie class, more the ball doesnt leave his foot even when 5 defenders are trying to make it which is so hard that no other player can do it)
gianfranco

Rob, I find this often when people discuss this topic, "Ronaldinho, please come back." Why? Why is it necessary that this returns? Why can't he be respected for his two good years and forgetten forever...does it really matter if he does come back or doesnt, it is an interesting topic for me and we have talked about it ad- nauseam at the Milan blog, it is just an odd point that continually comes up.
Tommy Wong

It always seemed to me like Ronaldinho was trying to do too much. He looked like he was playing to redeem himself all the time, and got frustrated too easily.
Gaston

what a tragedy for this man, how could he fall like this
Flippy

didn't Seedorf assist BOTH of Inzaghi's goals?
Francesco

I unfortunately don't think he'll ever be back to his own ways, and I say that as a Milan fan. Sure every once and a while he'll show a bit of magic, but he's never going to be the player that was so dominant a couple of years ago. Maybe he should pull a Pele and try to take over the United States.
Luka

No chance. He'll be back at Gremio in no time.