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Like many, Ronaldinho’s World Cup bid may have come too late
Ronaldinho has been left out of Brazil’s squad for next month’s friendly with Ireland, making it highly unlikely he will make Dunga’s list of 23 for June’s World Cup.
It’s quite a come down for the former world player of the year but he has been having a much better season at AC Milan following three years of problems.
Ultimately, Ronaldinho may have timed his bid for South Africa too late just like several other players in Serie A.
Outside of Italy, MICHAEL OWEN is probably the best of example of a big name player looking set to miss the first finals in Africa.
A Champions League hat-trick for Manchester United in the group stages failed to persuade Alex Ferguson to give him more first team opportunities and the only way he can realistically make Fabio Capello’s squad now is to hope for a several injuries upfront.
But it is Serie A where a host of World Cup hopefuls are struggling to realise their dream. Here’s a list in no particular order.
FRANCESCO TOTTI – Yes I know he is officially retired from international football but the AS Roma striker has been giving strong hints that he will make himself available for Italy’s World Cup squad after quitting following their 2006 triumph.
Should Leonardo listen to Berlusconi about Ronaldinho?
After putting Leonardo in charge of AC Milan, owner Silvio Berlusconi has been trying to help the novice coach get to grips with the job with advice on how to tease the best from Ronaldinho.
The Italian premier, who has again denied he is considering selling a stake in the club, thinks Ronaldinho can be Milan’s “Usain Bolt” and fill the gap left by his Brazilian compatriot Kaka if he is used as a second striker rather than an playmaker.
Although Berlusconi has been careful with his transfer spending, and Milan could struggle again this term judging by the 4-0 derby hammering by Inter, he knows a thing or two about soccer and might have a point about Ronaldinho.
Leonardo is using his fellow Brazilian in the hole behind two strikers, probably his best position if he were in peak condition as it exploits his ability to conjure up chances for others and gives him room for his individual charges towards goal.
But he has not looked 100 percent fit for some time, so those wonderful runs are thin on the ground and the midfielders are having to do overtime because he does not chase back.
Using Ronaldinho as a striker might restore the team’s balance and lower the physical demands on him, simply because he would be nearer to goal and have less galloping to do. Being closer to the danger zone could lead to more goals too, which would bolster his fragile confidence.
Leonardo could pair him with powerful centre forward Marco Borriello or a goal poacher such as Filippo Inzaghi or Klaas-Jan Huntelaar. Alternatively he could make up a front line with in-form Alexandre Pato — a partnership that would be potentially unmarkable.
I’m sorry to disappoint all the hopefuls, but Ronaldinho is never going to be the same player who won 2 FIFA Player of the Year awards. It’s sad to say it, but the money and the fame was too much. There’s no more drive, no more desire or motivation. He’s won just about everything. The least he could do is try to be professional about it, which I think he’s doing, but the rest of the AC Milan team is just not good enough to help him make this a winning club after the departure of Kaka. Most players are either old (Gattuso, Ambrosini, Nesta, Pirlo), or inexperienced at this level (Pato, T. Silva), or just simply do no cut it as an elite player for one of Europe’s biggest clubs (Borriello, Flamini). Berlusconi is getting what he asked for, Ronaldinho plus 65 million Euros in his pockets, so he should be quiet and deal with the situation.
Here is a nice tune for coach Dunga…http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yS6 yQENc-vM