What do you think? Is Ronaldinho Gaucho Today at his Prime? Past his Prime or still before his prime?
He was at his best over the last couple of years. Players seem to be learning how to deal with him more these days.
Agreed, I also think he has lost his hunger partly because he has won every award a footballer has avaible to win, team & individual.
WRONG. He didn't win the Club World Championship....Inter won that....and he wanted that BAD. INTER RONALDINHO AFTER THE GAME
He is definitely not playing as well as the previous 2-3 years IMO. Could be just a dip in form. Also it seems like he is pretty happy just performing his duties on the left side of the field instead of trying to become more of a central creative midfielder. I believe he had the potential to become good at that position.
He's won all the major trophies on offer, I'm sure Ronaldinho was more annoyed about losing to Inter than the actual tournament. However he hasn't won the Premiership or Serie A, maybe he'll fancy a change of scenery and a new challenge.
I think Ronaldinho is running from the spotlights this season. Just like he does for Brazil. He doesn't take the responsibility. Doesn't try to dribble and shoot. It seems that either he waits for the perfect opportunity to pass or he just passes it back.
He really hasn't been taking those amazing shots you would usually see from him in the past. He doesn't have as much love for the game as he used to before his prime, he just has nothing to aim for anymore, except the club championships, and everyone knows that BArc. is easily one of the best club teams either way.
He should be in his prime but he is tired and needs a rest. Anytime you are with a successful club, it means you are playing twice a week for much of the year. Throw in WC qualifiers and the WC, a promotional tour to the USA, and the World Club Championship and you get a bunch of very mentally and physically fatigued players. He is hitting the fatigue wall at a time when Messi and Eto'o are out injured, meaning he carries even more responsibility. Without their support, it is harder for him to work his magic.
Definitely still AT his prime. Dragged Barca through in the CL by himself. Amazing free kick under the wall to do it. Did anyone see the chest control-bicycle kick goal in November???? If you did, you would say he's at his prime. So they lost to Internacional- they're very, very good, even if Europe gives them no credit.
strikers and attack mids such as ronaldinho usually have 2-3 good years its hard to have more good years at the highest level, cause teams know you well and injuries begin to pile on. Lets hope ronnie stays healthy.
I believe Ronaldnho has decreased his talented maneuvers after Barcelona killed Arsenal. Because in the FIFA world cup I was suprised, when he was missing free kicks, and performing his little play tricks. He was going down the drain, I mean right now look at him , All the comerce industry has put him on spot. Didnt he make a school for soccer in Brazil recently? All i know of the guy is just mesmerized by the money and fame he is making. I hope, he continues to ignore that and keep his head in the game
Isn't it just a tad premature to be writing him off as 'past his prime'? A few players have had WC hangovers, maybe it's the same thing with Ronaldinho, or maybe he's just in poor form. I mean, the guy really hasn't had much time to rest, what with Barca's CL run last year, the WC, the league, and the Intercontinental Cup, I would think fatigue is a huge factor.
I wouldnt say he is mesmerized with all the money and whatnot. I still think he is probably one of the most selfless and down-to-earth superstars in any sport. I think the problem is that he is now bigger than football--much like Beckham. I do think we have seen a dip in his performance starting in the World Cup. He has been a fairly mediocre free-kicker and at times, his defenders have easily taken the ball from him. I still think it is more of a phase though. The guy is going to be 27 and he has at least another 3 years where he will be performing at his peak, barring any injuries. Statistically, he is doing very well, but then again, the goals we are seeing now out of him have more to do with Eto'o's injury. I'm pretty sure that he misses a clinical finisher, and Barcelona for the most part, have been without some key players. I think we'll see him improve in the 2nd half of the season.
I think more than lacking Eto'o's finishing, Barca and Ronaldinho are missing his movement up front. Guddy's a smart player, and Saviola is class, but neither of them have the raw pace and ability to provide an outlet like Eto'o.
It is too early to tell if he is past his prime, we will all know the answer in due time. True, he isn't quite as impressive as he has been over the past 2 - 3 years. However, he has been quite good at evolving his game and adjusting to competition to remain just a bit better than the rest.
Even playing below his average, he still scored 13 goals this season (if I'm not mistaken). I think: 5 from PKs 4 from FKs 4 from open play