By Alberto Bravo Mar 19, 2007, 19:21 GMT
Barcelona/Madrid - What is the matter with Ronaldinho? Everyone in Barcelona has been asking that question for months. And there is no apparent answer, amid growing rumours of the star's departure at the end of the season.
Ronaldinho is sad, and there are few things in the world of football as dangerous as a melancholy Brazilian.
Moreover, his situation is in sharp contrast to that of teammates like Cameroon's Samuel Eto'o or Argentine Leo Messi, who appear to have risen to the pedestal of love that Ronaldinho used to occupy with the fans.
The Brazilian just had a strange week in which he hardly showed up in Barcelona's training sessions and preferred to keep himself to the gym, prompting criticism by the media. And on Saturday he showed, yet again, that he is very, very far from his best level.
Barcelona beat Recreativo de Huelva away by 4-0. Eto'o demonstrated his full recovery from injury by scoring two goals, and Messi once again played the juggler and made an amazing contribution to his team's victory.
But there was no news from Ronaldinho - again.
The Brazilian is no longer a favourite with the press, and the media no longer forgive his poor performance.
'The Ronaldinho who was named the best player in the world is irreplaceable at Barcelona and to transfer him would be fit for ignorants. However, the Ronnie who has been in poor form for one season, who does not decide games, who is evidently overweight and who looks sad on the pitch can be replaceable,' the daily Sport said Monday.
Madrid media are also sharpening their claws.
'He is still playing badly, with no spark, without provoking a feeling of danger. From the old Ronaldinho this one only has the name, the brand that keeps selling deserts. Football-wise, zero,' As said.
To complete the picture, Roberto de Assis - the player's brother and agent - is not shy to make public his talks with AC Milan while he complains of an alleged contract improvement, another one, that Barcelona supposedly promised and did not deliver.
Rumour has it that Barcelona will sell its least-shining star at the end of the season. And right now nobody is thinking of players like Eto'o or Messi, but of Ronaldinho - a sign that in football anything can change within months.
In this context, a further question is in the air in Barcelona. Will Ronaldinho follow the footsteps that Diego Maradona or Ronaldo trod years ago? As the years go by, Barcelona can barely shed its reputation as a club that is incapable of keeping its stars.
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