"His fall from grace is a sobering reminder to the young stars of today, considering most commentators attribute his decline to a love of the party life — especially at Barcelona."

you dont say? if you went from lets face it a bloke who had a face only a mother could love, to a guy with the fame and money to sleep with any beautiful Spanish/Italian super model i think your footballing ability would drop to.

He obviously doesn't care anymore if he leaves Milan but he wont go to the UAE

If he does go to MLS it'll probably be to LA since NYC can't get him, unless a second NYC team comes in but that's highly unlikely that they'll get him.

Classic :lol:
hedge my beats on going to the MLS in one of there key markets like LA or NYC or a return to South America on loan so he's still got his pay packet but can do pretty much whatever he wants

Missed chance to say "Ronaldihno to The Emirates?"

Surely Clive could? and they dont have a overseas marquee..

It's not about understanding the concept of a marquee, it's about being able to afford him. No club in the A-League could afford him or be willing to pay for him.

In the end the UAE will always be able offer more money and that's why he'd chose there over here.

I get we need to make that effort, but the reality is for the time being and the forseeable future we can't. What would you rather, have Ronaldinho here and see the A-League take a downward turn for the worst, or have it survive like it is now.

i understand all that. how do we expect the league to grow though, if we cant attract fans.

its hard for the FFA i know, but we need to make that effort or we going to be like the failure the MLS once was.

The AFL are helping out because they have the money to do so, the FFA doesn't simple as that. Also I think Ronaldinho would be asking for a shitload more than what the AFL are playing for Folau. I'd hazard a guess that the FFA wouldn't be able to afford what the AFL are paying for Folau so how would they help out for Ronaldinho.

It is just impossible unless one club gets bought by some oil tycoon, which won't happen because they'd rather buy an EPL club. The A-League will never be able to compete with the money offered in the Middle East for players like this.

Edited by sydneycroatia58: 18/9/2010 01:00:04 PM

note how i have a-league in there as well.

AFL are paying 60% of Folaus fee, FFA/A-league should help out a bit.

It's not about understanding the concept of a marquee, it's about being able to afford him. No club in the A-League could afford him or be willing to pay for him.

In the end the UAE will always be able offer more money and that's why he'd chose there over here.

wont happen because the a-league and its coaches do not understand the definition of marquee.

I don't believe it but if there is any truth in this whatsoever we need to double whatever the UAE is offering and get him to the A-League ASAP!

I don't believe it but if there is any truth in this whatsoever we need to double whatever the UAE is offering and get him to the A-League ASAP!

Is UAE the last bet for Ronaldinho?

If the reports are to be believed this week then former World Player of the Year Ronaldinho is interested in a move to the UAE.

By Jon Rhodes, Deputy Sports Editor
Published: 00:00 September 18, 2010

If the reports are to be believed this week then former World Player of the Year Ronaldinho is interested in a move to the UAE.

The Brazilian star is understood to be in a wage dispute with AC Milan and according to close friend, journalist Cristina Cubero, is "attracted" by a move to the emirates. If there is any truth to the revelation it would be a major coup for the UAE Professional League, eclipsing the arrival of Italian World Cup winner Fabio Cannavaro.

For the Brazilian, however, it would represent a shuddering fall from grace for a player who was rightly regarded as the brightest light of his generation.

This was the player remember who was given a standing ovation by Real Madrid fans following a sublime performance for Barcelona in 2005. It's also the same player who formed part of that deadly attacking trimunitive alongside Ronaldo and Rivaldo at the 2002 World Cup for Brazil.

The truth, however, is that the attacking midfielder has only shown glimpses of that form since his arrival at the San Siro.

Add to the mix, concerns about his ability to thrive in a team containing newly arrived compatriot Robinho, and the fact is that at the tender age of 30, the playmaker is looking increasingly surplus to requirements in Milan.

Fading star

His fall from grace is a sobering reminder to the young stars of today, considering most commentators attribute his decline to a love of the party life — especially at Barcelona.

It was hoped his move to Milan would allow him to reinvigorate his career but that has simply not happened, and now the chances of a major European power taking a punt on his fading star look increasingly slim.

So what does the future hold for the Brazilian? He could return to Brazil and follow in the footsteps of that other Brazilian legend Ronaldo. There have also been rumours that he may eye a new start in the America's MLS, although one last big pay day in the Middle East may be hard to resist.

He would undoubtedly be a big draw in the UAE and his arrival would be another statement of intent from the fledgling league.

But for those of us who remember his mesmerising performances for both Barcelona and Brazil, it would signal an acceptance that his best days are well and truly behind him and that the end of a once great talent is on the horizon.
http://gulfnews.com/sport/football/is-uae-the-last-bet-for-ronaldinho-1.683522