Ronaldinho:What Happened?

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By Toyin | September 26, 2008

The adage that ‘whatever goes up must come down’ is a very popular one. When a plane takes off, it usually lands again. Sudden landing may be termed as a crash (which may be fatal or not) or aborted flight.

A comet is a small solar system body that orbits the sun and, when close enough to the sun it shines brightly from its tail onwards. However it appears only once in a while; it doesn’t hang around for too long.

Will I be justified if I categorized Ronaldinho as a type of comet? He left Paris St Germain as a little player (not unknown) but with a profound promise of greatness. He showed individual brilliance when he represented his country during Nigeria ’99. A tournament they exited in the quarterfinals.

He plays football with a toothy smile and even went ahead to ‘bench’ our very own magician, Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha during their PSG days. Then came the Korea-Japan Fifa World Cup in 2002 and Ronaldinho announced his arrival on the world stage with a cameo performance against England in the quarter finals.

To start with, he demystified David Seaman with a long range pull out that was deceptive to the keeper and crept beyond his despairing hands in to the top corner of the net. This was after Michael Owen gave the ‘Three Lions’ an unlikely lead due to Lucio’s rear mistake at the back.

When the game seemed to be ebbing out, Ronaldinho stepped up again. With Ronaldo (the great one) to his left and Rivaldo (the lefty) on his right, he left England defenders mesmerized (especially Danny Mills) with a series of sight defying step over before releasing a pass that freed ‘lefty’ and he coolly slotted into the net. Brazil eventually won the world cup for the fifth time. Ronaldinho however was not the star of that tournament-that privilege belonged only to Ronaldo. But the world had just witnessed the birth of a new superstar.

A year after their triumph in Korea, he joined Barcelona and became their main man in company of established players like Samuel Eto o, Rafael Marques, Xavi, Carlos Puyol and the eccentric one, Edgar Davids. Although they didn’t win anything during his first season, Ronaldinho showed great skills and incomparable stamina that left many wondering if he was actually human. He was unplayable at times.

The second season was fruitful as Barcelona won the league. Then came 2005/2006. Barcelona won both La liga and the champions league and Ronaldinho was declared the best footballer in the world for the second time. He represents everything good about this beloved game. Playing with passion and conviction, he hauled his team from the brink of defeat countless times with amazing skills, goals and trade mark free kicks.

These successes brought along stupendous wealth, envy inspiring status and mind boggling sponsorship. Pressures came also in abundance.

Expectations had hit roof levels and our man had no choice than to surround himself with all kinds of characters who ignited his latent desires for night clubbing and partying. He no longer trains as he used to. He became ‘known’ in the best night clubs in catalan; he started to neglect his first love-Football.

Before long, ‘el Gaucho’ could not beat opponents in one on one situations. He was totally exposed as a fading star in Germany 2006 where Brazil was defeated in the quarter finals by a Zidane led and inspired France. Not a few felt that he was past his prime. But at what age? Surely, this was just a bleep in form and ‘Dinho’ would soon be back to his best.

Within three years, a great footballer has become just another. He left Barcelona for the Beijing Olympics having already secured a move to AC Milan. He came back with a bronze medal and went straight into the Milan team. He was not magical as expected. Infact, they lost their first two matches.

He was dropped by Carlo Ancelotti, and suddenly, the ‘Rossoneris’ started winning again. Finally, ‘Dinho’ has been dropped for next month’s 2010 world cup qualifiers. Is this an indication of lack of trust by Carlos Dunga?

Having become dispensable for club, country followed suit. Which way forward for one of the best to have graced lurch green fields?

Ronaldo de Assis Moreira; a former world class footballer? At just 28 years, you should be about peaking, following in the great steps of your predecessors: The Maradonas, Zidanes, Baggios and Ronaldos of this world.