hree seasons ago, nobody would question Ronaldinho’s unparalleled status in the football world.
In his 145 appearances for Barcelona, the Brazilian striker scored 70 goals, helping the club win the Spanish championship in 2005, and then again in 2006, earning back-to-back victories of both the Spanish and UEFA Champions League titles.
Based on his brilliant performance, he was twice awarded FIFA World Player of the Year in 2004 and 2005.
But all that is in the past. Since 2006, the Brazilian has been slipping in form.
He failed to make an impression in the 2006 FIFA World Cup, scoring no goals until Brazil was eliminated by France in the quarterfinal.
At the club level, his performance was inconsistent, due to injury and fitness problems. The last two seasons were trophyless for Barcelona, and in the meantime, Ronaldinho was reportedly enganged in continuous arguments with former coach Rijkaard.
Recently, the athlete was also constantly accused of staying longer in nightclubs than on training fields. Some of his current photographs, showing an unbecoming ring of fat around his waist, were particularly unflattering.
Though he was included in Spain’s football squad earlier, Ronaldinho’s Olympic participation was like a day-by-day TV show with ups and downs, since Barcelona was reluctant to grant the lease with the UEFA Champions League preliminary round coming up.
Finally, his contract with AC Milan on July 18 put an end to an unhappy season with the Spanish giant. He was finally given a “go ahead” answer to Beijing 2008 by his new host.
The 28-year-old is now one of the over-age players on Brazil’s football squad. Dunga, the Olympic coach, who is also coach of the national team, was very happy with Ronaldinho’s inclusion. “Ronaldinho is a very important member of our squad and he is recovering from his problems,” Dunga said in Beijing while the Brazilians are training ahead of the Olympic tournament.
When Brazilian athlete arrived earlier in Milan, he was welcomed by thousands of fans in San Siro Stadium. Now the big question that remains for fans and the great football player himself is: Will he be able to regain his pre-2006 electric form? Whatever the answer is, Beijing 2008 may be a platform for him to start proving himself.
source: beijing2008.cn
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