Whoever buys Ronaldinho will get a bargain

European Leagues / Alsy / 11 July 2008 / 1 Comments

Despite two troubled seasons and an expanding waistline, the two time Fifa World Player of the Year wil still make a prized asset for someone.

Over the last few weeks the true extent of Martin O'Neill's genius has been revealed. Securing around £18m for Gareth Barry is a miracle second only to Moses parting the Red Sea. Barry has talent but there's another left-sided midfielder languishing somewhere in Barcelona likely to be sold for far less this month. His name is Ronaldinho and he's also handy from set pieces.

Factor in stunning pace, strength, better dribbling skills than Ronaldo and an ability to finish with either foot from distance or with slide-rule precision in the box. Despite a hatful of medals for club and country, Barcelona have publicly stated that Ronaldinho can leave but no club seems in too much of a hurry to buy him.

In the space of 24 months Ronaldinho (still only 28 years-old) has become the forgotten man of football. While Europe's richest clubs jostle over players, no one seems eager to sign the two-time Fifa World Player of the Year.

As Western markets experience an economic downturn, Ronaldinho must feel like he's lost a fortune off his own share price. The Brazilian's stock has fallen to the level where even Manchester City believe they can secure his services. I don't think so...

Ronaldinho's problems began after travelling to the 2006 World Cup as the poster-boy of world football and a Champions League winner. A Brazilian star did sparkle but it was Kaka who caught the eye while Ronaldinho failed to shine.

His relationship with the fans at Barcelona began to deteriorate along with the team's form soon afterwards as the Catalans struggled to recapture their famed fluidity. In 2007 Liverpool put them out of the Champions League before Rijkaard's team squandered several opportunities on the domestic front. In the end arch-rivals Real Madrid shoplifted another Primera title by the narrowest of margins.

The previous season's Champions League victory seemed a lifetime away; especially when they finished an embarrassing third in La Liga, 18 points behind Madrid. Rijkaard, Zambrotta and Deco have all departed and the signs are that Eto'o and Ronaldinho will follow suit. In 2006 Ronaldinho played 41 games scoring 23 goals but last season he only started 20 games scoring 9 goals.

His troubles were not just about missed games. In a city that eats and sleeps football the fitness and mental state of Barcelona's star player filled as my column inches as ever. Like the Gal√°cticos at Madrid, fans support a winning team but turn quickly when things go wrong. Ronaldinho's bloated wages and bulging waistline became an indicator to some that he was resting on his laurels. Lionel Messi and Ronaldinho both spent long periods of last season on the treatment table but, in the eyes of Barca fans, Messi's fleeting appearances contained more effort than Ronaldinho's. Like Eto'o before him, Ronaldinho's attitude was questioned. Was he really injured? Did he want more money? Was he really trying his best?

It's undeniable that Ronaldinho suffered a loss of form during an injury-ravaged campaign last year but I'm amazed that a player with his gifts could ever be described as a spent force.

Whoever buys Ronaldinho will get a bargain... even if he goes for more money than Gareth Barry. Football and hyperbole are natural bedfellows but Ronaldinho is the kind of player who genuinely deserves lavish praise. If you want a defensive midfielder then look elsewhere but if you're after a genius who can score and create stunning goals then look no further. New Barca coach Josep Guardiola would do well to attempt to rehabilitate his star player. Without Ronaldinho I think the odds on Barcelona winning La Liga at [2.66] don't look too promising.

Players can always improve fitness levels but no amount of training will turn a good footballer into Ronaldinho. The Brazilian remains a genuine legend - check out the clip here in case you needed reminding.

Comments (1)

1. SLou | 15 July 2008

   I think Barcelona are doing the right thing by getting rid of the likes of Eto and Ronaldhino. They should be looking to build a new team around Messi and Bojan.

   I cant see Ronaldhino being at Man City somehow it just doesn't seem right.