Back in June, I wrote an article for MLS Talk about the possibility of Ronaldinho taking his talents to Los Angeles to play for the Galaxy.
Apparently, the rumor is alive and well.
The latest incarnation is the speculation that the Galaxy are prepared to offer €7 million a year to get the Brazilian to play his home games at the Home Depot Center.
That’s about $10 million, if you’re wondering.
Ronaldinho is in the final year of his contract, so there wouldn’t be the issue of a transfer fee.
Of course, if you type his name in Google and hit news, you see several stories saying he’s talking with the Galaxy, and a few more that say he’s staying put – at least until season’s end.
The questions, I suppose, are these:
Does he want to play in MLS, and is it a good idea?
He has no goals and three assists in seven Serie A matches this season, so unless his form starts to rise, he’s probably going to be looking for a new club this summer.
So, would he want to try to play in Spain? Germany? Brazil? Or, would he take the pay day and play with the Galaxy?
It’s hard to say.
As for the second question, it’s hard to imagine the move as anything but positive.
He won’t be billed as the savior of American soccer (see Beckham, David), so assuming he has anything at all left in the tank (he probably does) and assuming he doesn’t eat his way off the pitch, he can be a draw for the Galaxy in particular and the league in general.
So, is this just another rumor? Or is it more likely now than it was a few months back? And would it be a good fit?
Chime in below.
As long as he can leave the food and nightlife alone, the move would be outstanding for the Galaxy. A team with Ronaldinho on the left, Beckham on the right, and Donovan in the middle would be formidable indeed. With their constantly improving defense, adding another strong player to the left wing would make the Galaxy monstrous.
This move could make the NYRB trio of DPs look weak by comparison and would be the closest thing to the NASL days allowed by current league rules. The Galaxy would have a very freeflowing attack and play strong, beautiful soccer with an emphasis on creating offense – something both casual and hardcore fans would appreciate. Defending against this trio (not to mention Buddle) would be a Herculean task for most teams.
As long as Dinho can still move at 90% of his past grace, he has the potential for numerous Sports Center clips. That is the kind of promotion this league needs to get more domestic fans.
Save you money MLS. Give it to young prospects so they don’t depart for Europe and rot on the Bench
I’m not that this would be a great move for the Galaxy just because of the cost/benefit ratio, but I have to imagine this would be contingent on Landon leaving to go back to Europe right?
They’re not really going to through $18m at 3 players in a league with a $3.5m salary cap, are they?
ryan –
the MLS cap isn’t that straight forward . . . . only the first 350k or so count towards the cap (for a DP). therefore, the three salaries of landon, beckham and ronaldinho would only be roughly $1M.
and, that isn’t taking into account the various cap space write downs the galaxy have acquired over the past year. IMO, i think the cap hit for those three would be somewhere around 750k per year.
therefore, i don’t see it as a real problem.
Ryan – NY is doing it
I think it’ll be FANTASTIC. As long as Becks slaps ‘dinho and tells him to get serious asap, from his own personal experience, the Galaxy would be legions above the rest in the league. He would be THE player to watch and might be enough to boost the Galaxy into winning the CONCACAF champions league.
I think this is VERY possible but perhaps it won’t happen for another couple years? I hope not since we could use him asap, hopefully Donovan stays as well.
Actually NY IS doing it, but probably won’t be doing it for much longer. I see them only having two DPs in 2011.
To be clear, I wasn’t saying it in the sense of “how would this be possible given the cap” but more to say “how can this be a prudent move” when you’re already selling out nearly every game.
I know that NY is doing it, and they’re doing it at home right now after being knocked out of the playoffs.
Ronaldinho in LA! Another star to the Galaxy! This would be great. Ronaldinho is still playing at a high level. There is no better option for an MLS team this coming season since the only other player I would prefer in our league is Cristiano Ronaldo and we know he cannot leave Real Madrid yet. That move would be the Beckham deal again with a big upgrade. Not only Ronaldinho is as popular worldwide as Beckham but he is a better payer and would be coming here at a younger age. In other words he sells and plays. What else can we ask for. I have followed Ronaldinho’s career since he was playing at Gremio FPA. He is not only playing at a high level at serie A but he was called to the Brazilian national team for next week’s rivalry match by Mano Menezes. Wow, a two times world player of the year and a two serious candidates to that tittle a few years back such as Beckham and Henry. The MLS will surely move up a notch. GO LA Galaxy, win the tittle so Ronaldinho comes to a Champion to help us build a dinasty.
if dinho comes, donovan should go to europe. but im afraid that donovan is the glue that would keep the superstars connected to the average mls teammate.
becks and dinho could take LA to the stars or straight into the ground.
I don’t get why if the Galaxy make a move Donovan should leave ?
There is no way you think one of the best players in the world is going to be benched ? There are only a handful of teams in the world that Donovan isn’t a lock to start. Galaxy are not one of them.
So why should he leave ?
My $0.02 is that MLS must be raking in the money on jersey sales, because the risk/reward for the contribution on the field for these type of guys….is way out of balance.
Best move the Sounders have made in the 30 years I have been rooting for them was getting rid of Ljungberg.
To be fair, Ljungberg and Ronaldinho aren’t even close to being in the same league (metaphorically speaking), so there’s a lot more “reward” bringing in Ronaldinho then there ever was with Ljungberg.
Better be for $5.7 million….per year !
Good point – Dinho’s obviously gonna command a higher wage than Freddie.
But do you mean Ljungberg was on $4.3m per year??? (or am I misunderstanding you). If so, that’s crazy money.
Ronaldinho would get this bumb in a Rapids seat. I’m a fan, but I do miss some games because of family, work, and recreational activities, but I’d make sure to see Ronaldinho play. In some ways it is a shame that three of the league’s biggest stars- Beckham, Donovan, and Ronaldinho- would all be a one team; but it’d be a hell of a team to watch.
By the way, if this happened, it’d ensure a balanced scheadule for next season. If you a DC United fan, for example, would you want to see New England twice in your 17 home games but not see LA? I don’t think so.