It’s starting to sound like a broken record – but Ronaldinho might soon be on his way to the A-League. His class is unquestionable, but is the considerable baggage worth it?
The Brazilian attacker has been linked to the A-League several times before, most notably at the end of 2015, where he was heavily touted to come down under on a guest contract for a short stint of matches. While that move never eventuated, rumours are once again heating up as to whether the former Barcelona star will join under the newly implemented full-season guest player rule.
The 36-year-old, who has been capped 97 times by Brazil in his career, is currently without a club after mutually terminating his deal with Brazilian club Fluminense in September of 2015.
Positives
The Brazilian would undoubtedly provide a huge boost to the A-League brand
Ronaldinho is without a doubt one of the most recognisable footballers of the modern era. His arrival would turn casual fans into committed ones, and his quality on the pitch has the potential to bolster the A-League’s brand globally.
It is easy to suggest that Ronaldinho would be used in a very similar manner to Alessandro Del Piero was at Sydney, drawing huge crowds and becoming the face of the league during his two seasons at the club. Ronaldinho’s penchant for flair moves and tricks on the pitch will also make the game in Australia more appealing to the average supporter.
His class is unquestionable
The Brazilian has won almost everything under the sun, from the 2002 World Cup with Brazil, to the UEFA Champions League with Barcelona as well as individually being recognised as one of the best players on the planet, winning the prestigious FIFA World Player of the Year twice, and Ballon d’Or in 2005.
Any club would benefit from his vast range of expertise, whether it be through his knowledge and experience on the pitch, or helping younger players develop. Ronaldinho could be hugely important off the field as he looks to wind down his career.
Negatives
His best days are well and truly gone
While the Ronaldinho of 2006 was regarded as one of the best players on the planet, 2016 Ronaldinho is extremely far from that title. Ronaldinho has been less than impressive in his last stint at a club, even noting this himself according to a statement from Fluminense sporting director Mario Bittencourt.
POLL | 36-year-old Ronaldinho to the A-League.
— Outside90 (@Outside90) July 4, 2016
With the A-League consistently improving in quality every season, bringing a potentially ill-prepared 36-year-old to the league and giving him substantial game time could not only hurt the quality of the league and its respectability going forward, but also impact the potential development of domestic players looking to utilise the league to push their own careers forward.
The A-League has worked very hard over the last few seasons to shake off its perceived tag of a “retirement league” and bringing Ronaldinho to the league could fly directly in the face of the progress made in this area.
Off the field antics could hinder A-League
It’s no secret that Ronaldinho has struggled with off-field issues throughout his career, and this could affect any approaches made to the Brazilian from the FFA and interested parties.
During his time at Milan, the Brazilian was widely criticised for allowing his party-centric lifestyle to affect his game on the pitch, and should he come to Australia, it would be this lifestyle that would be on show in front of a media who already attempts to stereotype and discredit footballers and their fans on a regular basis.
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