Ronaldinho: How the mighty have fallen.

[TrinidadsNumberOne]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...na-star-delivers-series-sub-par-displays.html

Seeing such a rapid decline makes me sad.

 

[HertsWolf]

I fear this could happen to Leon Clarke and Jamie O'Hara as well.

 

[Richard Cranium]

I can't believe it's been 13 years since he pinged that ball and broke David Seamen in Korea/Japan!

 

[TrinidadsNumberOne]

I can't believe it's been 13 years since he pinged that ball and broke David Seamen in Korea/Japan!

Ten years since that amazing goal against Chelsea where he did the step overs before toe bunging it in past Cech, man was a genius!

 

[Pagnell]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...na-star-delivers-series-sub-par-displays.html

Seeing such a rapid decline makes me sad.

Is it really that rapid? He left AC Milan 4 years ago and hasn't played for a top team since then.

 

[TrinidadsNumberOne]

Is it really that rapid? He left AC Milan 4 years ago and hasn't played for a top team since then.

Doesn't feel like four years, blimey!

That said it's sad to see one of the best players of this generation fail to make a Mexican First Division's first team.

 

[Lukey]

Used to love watching him, depressing as fuck to read this

 

[G.B]

He's 35 or something now, ofc he's on a major decline. Smashing career for a bloke who has spent the majority of his adult life off his face though, fair play to him. Would rather watch a prime 'dinho over Messi/Ronaldo any day.

 

[Blitzballer]

Loved watching him in his prime. Blows Messi out the water

 

[PrestonCha]

Absolute legend. My favourite ever player.

He was unreal on Pro Evo 5.

 

[TrinidadsNumberOne]

He was far more likable than Messi and Ronaldo ever will be. Anyone remember the Euro 2004 advert where he did that skill before being taken out by the ref?

 

[JimJams]

He nearly always played with a smile on his face too. With those teeth that's not all that advisable, but it was still good to see.

 

[JimJams]

Also in some ways the decline is actually quite rapid, as he was quality for Mineiro for their first Copa Libertadores title.

 

[GodsGift]

Nostalgia aside, in what way was Ronaldinho better than Messi or Ronaldo? He's far off that level.

Even in his prime I found him to be a tad overrated. Great at pulling off mind-blowing tricks and for two or three seasons he was the best around, but his lack of longevity puts him alongside players like Kaka rather than the two Ronaldo's, Messi, Zidane et al.

 

[Blitzballer]

I first starting following the dude when he joined PSG.
GodsGift would have to disagree man, in his prime would put both Messi and Ronaldo to shame

 

[G.B]

Nostalgia aside, in what way was Ronaldinho better than Messi or Ronaldo? He's far off that level.

Even in his prime I found him to be a tad overrated. Great at pulling off mind-blowing tricks and for two or three seasons he was the best around, but his lack of longevity puts him alongside players like Kaka rather than the two Ronaldo's, Messi, Zidane et al.

He wasn't better than them, but he was a lot more entertaining to watch... than Ronaldo in particular. 05/06 (49 goals/assists in 45 games) and 06/07 he was just incredible.

 

[Mr. Scruff]

I'm firmly wit GB here. As good as Messi and Ronaldo (both of them) were in terms of sheer 'what the fuck has he just done' Ronaldinho was the best I've ever seen

That goal against Chelsea is probably my favourite goal of all time.

 

[TrinidadsNumberOne]

His goal in 05-06 against Chelsea when he parred off their entire backline was also a memorable moment, Mourinho saw his arse at such sublime skill! Remember when he single handedly bailed out Milan against Portsmouth as well?

 

[Modernist]

Great player, but Maradonna was the best I've ever seen, given the protection players get thesedays no-one would come close.

 

[G.B]

That was his peak, 05/06. His technique has always been otherworldly but that season he was physically better than he's ever been. Strong as fuck and lightning fast. I remember the derby with Real Madrid that year, Ronaldinho ran the show going past players like they simply weren't there. He completely ruined Salgado who, try as he might, couldn't even manage to foul 'dinho. He just brushed the guy off like nothing.

Edit: This game..

Ronaldinho, Eto'o, Messi. What a front 3 that was.

 

[PrestonCha]

Best there's ever been, for me. Quite shocked that someone has said he was overrated - Crazy talk.

Do him the honour of watching this from start to finish. Astonishing.

 

[JimJams]

I think he was definitely the most entertaining. As for being the best I don't think so, I think Messi and Ronaldo are more feared players today than he was then. They're incredibly consistent with it too.

 

[Aaron-Bcfc]

Yeah, Ronaldo and Messi better but I used to absolutely love watching Ronaldinho

 

[PrestonCha]

Ronaldo & Messi both put the ball in the net more frequently than Ronaldinho did, sure, but....so did Andy Cole.

Ronaldinho had more to his overall game, than those two do. In my opinion.

His comfort on the ball, and subsequent ability to manipulate it, will never be matched in my lifetime, I don't reckon.

Neymar is a poor pretender, and has nothing on Ronaldinho.