Since the N.Y. Times piece came out on AEG, their senior management executive Tim Leiweke mentioned that only four players in the world could move the needle (in terms of star power and attraction) and they are Ronaldo, Beckham, Zidane and Ronaldinho. Now we've all read the rumors that AEG are courting Zidane to play for either the Fire or the Galaxy. Lets just have some fun here and say for the sake of argument that Zidane has decided that he isn't coming, would Leiweke and AEG seriously consider signing Ronaldinho to play for one of their satellite clubs in MLS? Seems like a real long shot but Leiweke appears to be a very smart and shrewd businessman and I'm sure he would be more than willing to fork over Alex Rodriguez money to get him. Marketing alone would be more than worth it, but we're talking about a player who not only is the best player on the planet right now (unless we're talking C. Ronaldo) but would instantly give the league major credibility. ESPN/ABC, FOX Soccer Channel, HDNet, and the Spanish broadcasters would absolutely take full advantage of it and would most likely have wall-to-wall coverage of any games he would play in, just like will happen when David Beckham gets here.
Not if Ronaldinho thinks that signing in the MLS would cost him a spot on the national team. It's most likely one of the reasons Ronaldo stayed in Europe with AC Milan, he wanted to keep/regain a spot on Brazil's squad. He knew that wouldn't happen if he came to the MLS.
We sure as hell could use him in Houston. But News? Analysis? This thread will not pass go, not collect $200, and go directly to MLS General...
Perhaps this could have gone in MLS General, but Leiweke himself mentioned the name Ronaldinho so perhaps he's interested in him. I remember back a few months ago Ronaldinho's brother (his agent) mentioned that the MLS wanted him but nobody really knows how serious the talks have ever got. Maybe AEG thinks they actually have a chance at getting him and if so that's sweet. Yeah at his age and ability MLS might not seem like the best thing for him as a player, but on the flip side if he were to come, the MLS would really garner the attention of the major media outlets here (same will happen once Becks gets here) and from around the globe. Ronaldinho coming to MLS means this league has finally understood that star power sells and except for C. Ronaldo there isn't a bigger fish out there to catch but him.
If Ronaldinho signed at MLS at his current age, I bet you that he'd still make the Brazilian National team. If he were Ronaldo's age, he probably wouldn't. And if Ronaldinho signed with an MLS club at Ronaldo's age, it would drive the league's ticket sales and improve whatever team he were on, but it wouldn't skyrocket MLS's credibility or anything like that. If they REALLY wanted to skyrocket MLS's credibility, they'd sign Ronaldinho while in his prime and under 30.
The reason I say he'd probably lose his spot on the national team is because MLS doesn't have the credibility as a strong league. Dunga and the rest of the coaching staff would probably think he isn't trying to challenge himself anymore because they'd see it as him going a level down when he can still play in Europe and just going after that pot of gold in the US.
The article didn't mention any interest in signing Ronaldinho. It only quoted a guy who mentioned that those four (Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, zidane, beckham) are the only ones that "move the needle". Take that for what it's worth, but IMO he's only stating who has enough obvious star quality to create big waves across MLS. It's simple statement that probably pertained to some question about Zidane or Beckham.
Well the impossible would be signing Rooney C.Ronaldo Kaka Drogba Gerrard Messi ect. Top superstars that have plent left. These so called needle movers are just really well know players because of their long storied careers. I would be far more impresssed if they signed the ones i listed
Only four players could move the needle? What about Thierry Henry, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, Wayne Rooney and E'to? They would all get my "needle" pointing north.....
Could happen. Could happen in the same way that I could win the Powerball Lottery five weeks in a row. Anything's possible.
To me, Ronaldinho would be bigger than Beckham in some aspects. Instant credibility for the league in terms of quality of play... ...a likeable personality who is easily recognizable (if he plays for LA, then maybe he's a participant in "Extreme Makeover")... In my mind, he'd be worth Beckham money in a heartbeat, and he's not long in the tooth (no pun intended), which would help dispel the impression that MLS is an old folks league.
I don't agree with that at all, he is currently the best player on the planet and just because he would play for the MLS wouldnt change the fact that he is the best soccer player now. Also having Beckham, Ronaldinho, Blanco, Juan Pablo, etc in MLS all at the same time would open the flood gates of talent like never before seen in professional soccer in America.
If Ronaldinho is on a FREE TRANSFER, MLS might have a chance by offering $15 mil a year. It will cost about $90 million in transfer fee to get Ronaldinho, so no.
Isn't his contract up soon? And if so, they can just have him not sign an extension. Then let him come after his current contract runs out just like they did with Beckham and Blanco. This signing is not happening any time soon, but getting around the transfer fees is pretty easy.
What is more jokable : a) The fact that one guy decides to talk about Ronaldhino in MLS ? or b) The fact that some people take this thread seriously ?
It would take a lot of $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$... Ronaldinho loves Barcelona, the city loves him, and his teammates love him. Going after Ronaldinho is like walking into a bar and walking up to the hottest girl in there. It might work if you're handsome, rich and charming but MLS isn't handsome, rich or charming. MLS should focus on just getting laid at this point.
i think it's more of 'moving the needle' for non soccer fans, the way everybody's been talking about becks. soccer fans would love kaka, everybody else would make fun of his name and say MLS is a sh!t league. ronaldo, zidane, ronaldinho would get more mainstream needle moving.