OFFICIAL: Ronaldinho sold to Milan!

[Dellas]

he really has let himself go....

Now I really don't want him at Chelsea.

[Oliver_Kahn]

well...

[Rego_09]

Thats unbelievable, I thought he was going to be this generation's best player at one point but he's too far gone now.

[Pat Murphy]

Originally Posted by Oliver_Kahn

well...

2003 to 2007 I think and he's probably bigger now.

I remember a Lampard quote where he said everyone has to train hard to stay at the top level, except the likes of Ronaldinho who will always stay great. I wonder if Ronaldinho thought this too.

He had a whole season and a half to get back into shape but a combination of him still not turning up to training and feigning injuries and Barca letting him do what he wants has spoilt this. I still have faith in him returning to a good level but probably not with Barca.

[lionel]

in that picture O_K posted, he still looked fine with the shirt on... imagine how will he look now without the shirt!

if there is someone to blame for this it's Rijkaard. (and ronnie himself obviously)

I'm confident that when pep takes over, players will have to work much harder than they used to.

[BlackNess]

Messi: I Want Ronnie To Stay
Lionel Messi has reiterated his desire to see Ronaldinho stay at Barcelona amid reports that the Brazilian could finally be sold this summer.


The duo met up again for a charity game in Venezuela and the Argentinian expressed his desire to see the star that he often dubs as the best in the world stay as his team-mate next term.

Barcelona have offered an olive branch to Ronaldinho, but reports still suggest that he is set to leave and join AC Milan when the players all return for pre-season training.

"Personally, I would like Ronnie to stay with us. I have always said that he is one of the best players in the world and still believe he can do so much with Barcelona," Messi said.

Ronaldinho scored twice in the charity game at the weekend, but looked slightly overweight in the all black outfit that has cast doubt on his true fitness levels.

Despite that, Messi was just pleased to see his old friend and the pair enjoyed the match although they were on opposite sides throughout.

"I had not seen him for a long time and I was very pleased to finally meet up again. It is always a pleasure to share good times with him," Messi added.

-

[Pat Murphy]

De Assis: Ronaldinho To Milan? 90% Sure

On a day that saw Adriano Galliani exchange words with disgruntled Milan fans, news arrived late in the evening which may mend all quarrels between the club and its supporters.

In an exclusive interview with Telelombardia e Antenna 3, Ronaldinho’s brother and agent, Roberto De Assis, admitted, "Yes, it is true. There is a good probability that my brother will obtain a transfer to Milan - let’s say between 80-90%.

"The important thing is that he is healthy now and working for the future."

De Assis added, "Yet it is true, it is possible that he will arrive at Milan, everything is ready."

Still, it appears that at this time other options remain on the table: "There is a contract with Barça, there are other possibilities, we will see in the next fifteen days," he continued.

What De Assis did categorically rule out was any contact with the Los Angeles Galaxy: "L.A. Galaxy? I will be traveling to Houston to accompany Ronaldinho on a tournament. I completely exclude the Galaxy as a possibility," he continued.

"It simply is not possible because he is 28 years old and wants to play another five or six years of top-level football."

Luca Mirenzi - Goal.com

Goal.com - AC Milan - De Assis: Ronaldinho To Milan? 90% Sure

Everything is ready suggests that Barca are ready to agree a price as well. Probably 20-25m euros.

[Dellas]

Galliani won't promise Ron deal
Milan vice-president wary of cost of signing Barcelona star

Adriano Galliani insists Milan will not break the bank to sign Barcelona playmaker Ronaldinho.

The Brazilian will be allowed to leave Camp Nou during the summer, although Barca say they have yet to receive any 'concrete' offers.

Manchester City have expressed an interest in signing Ronaldinho and are hoping to persuade the 28-year-old to move to Eastlands.

Ronaldinho has hinted he would be keen to link up with compatriot Luiz Felipe Scolari at Chelsea, while Milan have been mooted as favourites to land the former Paris Saint Germain ace.

Rossoneri vice-president Galliani admits the club are still in the hunt for Ronaldinho, but has warned he will not arrive at the Giuseppe Meazza at any price.


Already competitive


"It seems to me that Ronaldinho has placed Milan at the top of his desires, even if Chelsea has a lot of appeal," said Galliani.


"We have to see how much the final cost will be, the transfer and then his signing-on fee. But I don't promise anything to the fans.

"In any case in attack we already have Marco Borriello, Filippo Inzaghi, Kaka, Alexandre Pato. If we can get someone else then good, if not we'll stay how we are. We're already competitive.

"I'm not happy not making big signings, I'm a fan too, but a big transfer will only be done if there's the right conditions.

"Players who cost, between wages and other things, 20 million euros (£16million) a year, aren't compatible with Italian clubs' bank balances."

source: Sky Sports | Football | Premier League | Chelsea | Galliani won't promise Ron deal

When it comes to buying big names Milan are very stingy, it seems as if they aren't really willing to splash the cash for the big names. Which is why I am surprised he is still being linked with them, because when the 20mill euro price tag came up they seemed to flee immediately.

As for the fact that they are "competitive" upfront that is not really true but if they want to improve upfront then they will have to spend the money.

Out of curiosity where is the 30+mill that we gave them for Sheva??

[Pat Murphy]

Ronaldinho Going To The Olympics Without Permission

Ronaldinho has decided to go to the Olympic Games with Brazil and will ignore Barcelona's orders for him not to in order to to play in the Champions League qualifiers.

The troubled superstar has vowed to rediscover his fitness and form in order to appear in China even though the Blaugrana have said that he cannot go.

That move will heap more pressure on the club at a time when matters off the pitch are overshadowing all others and Ronaldinho knows that he could gain public sympathy.

"I feel very positive and I am not thinking about anything that is not good," he told a press conference. "I am imagining myself at the Games doing good, playing well and bringing back the gold medal.

"I am going to give special attention to my training and preparation. I am focussed on the work that I will carry out with Professor Paixao.

"I have great confidence that I will go the Olympics in good shape and that is a great motivation to train. I have not played for a long time and I really do miss it.

"That is why I want to work hard and be ready and I am not thinking about if someone is going to stop me or try and block me from going to Beijing."

Ronaldinho has been told by Barcelona that he can leave the club and that has influenced his decision to ignore their demands to not go to the Olympics.

Over the past two seasons, the Brazilian's former and weight have fallen away as he has missed numerous training sessions at Barça after being allowed to choose when he attended team sessions.

Now he is keen to bounce back and a strong showing in China may earn him the move he wants, after seeing his dream move to AC Milan fail to materialise yet.

Lucas Brown, Goal.com

Goal.com - Barcelona - Ronaldinho Going To The Olympics Without Permission


The thing is Barca want him to get in shape ready for next season, either for a transfer or playing for Barca. The Olympics will take a month out of his training as he'll probably be faffing about again.

He'll probably be the most out of shape athlete at the Olympics

[lionel]

Originally Posted by Pat Murphy

Goal.com - Barcelona - Ronaldinho Going To The Olympics Without Permission


The thing is Barca want him to get in shape ready for next season, either for a transfer or playing for Barca. The Olympics will take a month out of his training as he'll probably be faffing about again.

He'll probably be the most out of shape athlete at the Olympics

lol. I think the sumo guys will beat him though.

seriously though, don't let the pictures confuse you... I just found a video of the highlits of ronaldinho's touches in that game, and I was amazed:

TalkSoccer Media Player

*recommended.

he'll need more speed to do those things in la liga, but lets not forget who we are talking about...

[Pat Murphy]

Originally Posted by lionel

lol. I think the sumo guys will beat him though.

seriously though, don't let the pictures confuse you... I just found a video of the highlits of ronaldinho's touches in that game, and I was amazed:
YouTube - Ronaldinho Gaúcho (SHOW IS BACK) vs. Lionel Messi
*recommended.

he'll need more speed to do those things in la liga, but lets not forget who we are talking about...

Thanks for the video, I was looking for Ronnie in that match. I'd rep if I could.

He's still got the technique I guess but is lacking the fitness to go 90 minutes at the top level. I wouldn't mind him staying at Barca if he'd just get into shape, I want to see half of the old Ronnie back again

[Pat Murphy]

Ronaldinho In Milan Meeting

AC Milan general manager Adriano Galliani is currently engrossed in negotiations for Ronaldinho with the player, his brother and agent Roberto de Assis, Barçelona president Joan Laporta and the club's Director of Football, Txiki Begiristain.

According to Sport, Ronaldinho's brother and agent, Roberto de Assis, met with AC Milan's vice-president, Adriano Galliani, to hear the Rossoneri's offer for the two-time FIFA World Player of the Year.

After the meeting, which took place at the hotel Rey Juan Carlos in Barcelona from 16:45 to 17:45, De Assis and Galliani headed to Camp Nou, where they are currently in negotiations with Barça president Joan Laporta and the club's Director of Football, Txiki Begiristain.

It is also believed that Ronaldinho himself is at the club's facilities and has joined the negotiations table after missing the club's first pre-season training this morning.

Sport further claims that the midfielder and his brother flew to Barcelona earlier today and arrived at the Spanish city at around 13:10, having avoided the press upon their arrival and left the airport through a different terminal than the expected one.

Latest whispers in Italy suggest that Ronaldinho's transfer to Milan could be announced tonight.

Luís Mira - Goal.com

Goal.com - AC Milan - Ronaldinho In Milan Meeting

Negotiations tonight. The Ronaldinho saga could be completed by tomorrow.

[Trim]

Official: Ronaldinho To Milan

Milan have confirmed the signing of Barcelona superstar Ronaldinho.

Reads a statement released by Milan: "AC Milan and FC Barcelona have reached an agreement for the transfer of Ronaldinho.

"Tomorrow, the player will be in Milan for the medical ,and to sign the contract which will tie him to Milan until June 30th 2011."

This announcement brings to an end months of speculation over the Brazilian's future.

He has been on the outer at Barcelona pretty much since El Clasico in December, with his private life, his fitness and his bulging waistline making more headlines than his performances on the pitch.

Full report to follow...

Goal.com - AC Milan - Official: Ronaldinho To Milan