Ronaldinho slowly inching his way back into the field
After a disappointing 2007-2008 campaign where his season ended prematurely with injury and the much-publicized disagreement with his team FC Barcelona, Ronaldinho decided to sign up with AC Milan in the hopes of forgetting his bitter fallout with Spanish league giants.
Never has Ronaldinho’s career experienced a downward slope since his first professional stint with Gremio in Brazil, his first international experience in FIFA U-17 World Championship in 1997, and a solid performance in 2002 World Cup where Brazil emerged champions. It seems that the craze and the rush of adrenaline Ronaldinho has brought to spectators every single game he has played on would catch the whole world forever. Even more mesmerizing was his tremendous achievement when he started to play in Barcelona in 2003, helping the team secure second place finish in the league during the same year, and capturing the league title for the following two years - 2004 and 2005 - and also winning him the FIFA player of the year in 2004. He put Barcelona on top of the European football map within 2 years after he signed up with the Catalan team, aside from individual awards and accolades he received.
2006 – Downhill Onwards
After Brazil’s disastrous 2006 World Cup campaign where they were eliminated by France, things all went downhill for Ronaldinho. He was partly blamed, not only by his fellow Brazilians but also by soccer enthusiasts, for the team’s failure to capture the World Cup trophy with Brazil’s formidable line-up - watched by envious coaches who have dreamed of a fearsome team similar with that of the Selecão. He was dropped from the 2007 line-up, was suspended one time on an FC Barcelona game, and had disagreement with them following his 2008 Olympic Games commitment for Brazil and the Champions League for Barcelona.
A muscle tear on his right leg ended abruptly his 2007-08 season for Barcelona. He was reported having fought verbally with his coach Frank Rijkaard and things went to worst when FC Barcelona President Joan Laporta hinted indirectly that Ronaldinho needed to leave the club and seek greener pastures elsewhere. Speculations of his indiscipline, training negligence, and partying ways have also contributed to the factors leading to his career’s sudden crash.
Enter An Italian renaissance
As soon as Ronaldinho was leaked as up for grabs, there were a few notable clubs who where interestedly after him. Inter Milan and even Manchester City of former Thai PM Thaksin Shinawatra has openly signifying their intention to get him. Even Chelsea and Real Madrid had secretly hoped that they would catch this talented football superstar; hoping things would turn around for the better for their club, even if Ronaldinho is still in his off-form. Ronaldinho decided to sign with AC Milan even if Manchester offered more money, ending months of speculations on his move and his preferred team jersey. Apparently, he was seeing red and black all the time.
With Brazilian teammates Kaka, Alexander Pato, Dida, and Emerson, and the arrival of superstar David Beckham on loan from LA Galaxy, AC Milan, for now, might have what it takes to win the league title and a stint at the Champions’ league where they missed out last year. Although Ronaldinho is still way off from his deadly form, the whole team is very much optimistic to see his old self, not merely humiliating his opponent guard with his dribbling skills but also contributing on the success of the team, just like what happened to mediocre Barcelona before his arrival.
While some Barcelona fans are mourning for Ronaldinho’s departure, keep in mind that in the world of football, particularly in big leagues wherein they throw lots of money, 3 years of excellence can never be an assurance even if there is a small dip in performance. It doesn’t matter at how many goals you’ve scored a single game, because when everything is messed up, you will always be the scapegoat, just as what happened to Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, and Beckham. Even if Ronaldinho helped push Barcelona to a higher level, he was nearly forgotten and dropped instantly when his skills dropped considerably. And as one door closes, another window of opportunity opens, and usually for someone whose talent and determination still inspires to be successfully on top, Ronaldinho will have his way back into football glory.
