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Silvio Berlusconi, President of AC Milan, has now admitted that the cost of Ronaldinho may be too high. This has led to Manchester City and AC Milan rival, Inter Milan, to get into the mix. With the cost of the 28 year old superstar is too high because there is a lot of doubt surrounding the star. The Ronaldinho trade to AC Milan has caused quite a stir, but now it seems he may be open to more clubs who are willing to spend a great deal of cash. Here’s what SIlvio Berlusconi had to say about the transfer of Ronaldinho…

We still want him and we know he wants to come to Milan. But Barcelona have asked for a price which we feel is excessive.

Ronaldinho has had his worst season yet as he riddled with injuries and his fitness level has not been up to par. The uncertainty of Ronaldinho playing throughout a season is the main concern. He has only played 13 of Barcelona’s 30 games this year and will me the rest of the games. Who would pay so much for only 13 games a season?

I think Manchester City will take the risk of bringing in Ronaldinho. With young Kasper Schmeichel in goal for the next couple of seasons, Manchester City could have a solid young team in their hands. An addition of a superstar like Ronaldinho could bring them up to the top of the premiership table.

By Sean Connolly

In one of the most drawn out signings in recent memory, Ronaldinho has officially signed with AC Milan. It seems like such a long time ago when it was first said that Ronaldinho would be a part of AC Milan, and after several months and several teams getting involved it’s finally over with.

Many things have happened but in the end I have become a Rossonero player. I am happy to find so many Brazilians but also all the champions that wear the Rossoneri colors. I am really happy. After many years I am here. I am delighted to have arrived to AC Milan and I hope to be able to give a lot of joy to everyone.

Ronaldinho on Finally Signing With AC Milan

AC Milan’s new product will be shown off on Thursday as Ronaldinho will be welcomed with welcomed arms at the San Siro Stadium at 9:30 P.M. This tedious transfer hasn’t taken its toll though. Both Inter Milan, and Manchester City were very well involved in looking to pick up the once world’s greatest player. It has also affected other players who have been unsure where to go, with a portion of their decision in the hands of Ronaldinho. Emmanuel Adebayor seemed the likely choice for Milan but suddenly chose Ronaldinho over the Arsenal star. There has also been rumors that Frank Lampard and Ronaldinho wanted to join forces and that a trade could put those two together.

This transfer should open the flood gates for a lot of moves in the next week or two. It seemed like this and the Cristiano Ronaldo transfer seemed to be blocking the door for a lot of teams. Barcelona haven’t looked back on Ronaldinho as they themselves have signed Alexander Hleb to a 4 year deal from Arsenal.

Who are the losers in this move though? It has to be Manchester City. At one point it seemed imminent that Manchester City would in fact steal Ronaldinho from AC Milan and sign the star but even after offering more than the 21 million Euros that AC Milan will pay Ronaldinho, his heart is in Milan. Signing Ronaldinho looked like such a smart and promising move for Manchester City that would have garnered them much attraction and could possibly allow them to compete with Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal, and Manchester United. Now, even after signing Brazilian Jo, things look bleak for Manchester City as they may need to pull out another blockbuster to bring them up the table.

What does moving to Serie A mean for Ronaldinho? Personally I think this is where it ends for the star. The league is way too strong defensively for Ronaldinho to pull out his magic and he will soon become an average player whose impact won’t reflect his paycheck. I think it’s time to bid Ronaldinho farewell as he will become lost in Italy as I said months ago in my earlier post…

April 13th 2008

Ronaldinho to AC Milan, and the Beginning of the End for the Star

With Ronaldinho headed to AC Milan in the best defensive league in the world, he will surely struggle again next season to find his form. His whole career has been offensive-minded, whether it be in Brazil or Spain, and changing his entire style of play to a defensive-minded atmosphere will be a total shock to the two-time FIFA World Player of the Year. His game will be slowed down not only by his own team but by others as the defensive patterns stress slowing down opponents’ midfield attack.

Ronaldinho, who up until this year has been considered the best player worldwide, will be headed to Italy when the season ends, as rules state that the season must complete for the transfer to be completed. AC Milan and Barcelona only have to agree on a few things and the deal should be done and Ronaldinho will be as Italian as spaghetti. OK, maybe not, but he will play in Italy nevertheless. Ronaldhino has had a tough season as he is out injured for the rest of the season, and before the injury that set Barcelona back to mediocrity, he struggled to find the fantastic form we are accustomed to.

This is a bad move for Ronaldinho. He will not be the Ronaldinho we saw cutting up defenses, making those who attempt to stop him fall flat on their face, and free-kicks hugging the edge of the wall and hitting the side-netting. We will see a semi-productive midfielder who can create chances for Kaka and others on AC MIlan, but he will not be the main fixture in Milan’s lineup. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Ronaldinho to become a 12th man for a majority of his career in Italy. But, that we cannot tell.

But, what if Ronaldinho does find his form again? If he does than AC MIlan will quickly, and easily become the most complete, dynamic, and talented teams in the world. If he and Kaka, last year’s player of the year award winner, can perform well together, who could possibly stop them in Italy, better yet, in all of Europe? Probably no one. But I fear that that is not possible, as Ronaldinho’s play has taken a toll on him and it looks as if these injuries may have a recurring role in Ronaldinho’s career.

Ronaldinho is a fantastic player, don’t get me wrong. He is one of the most exciting and entertaining players I have ever seen. But, I don’t see how going to a defensive-minded league will exacerbate his entertainment value. It will only hamper it. You will see him much more frustrated, as he attempts cutting passes that don’t make it pass the defensive third, leading him to play even worse and possibly create more injuries. There is nothing more that I would like to see than a little excitement to the monotonous, unexciting Italian league, but I don’t see it happening with Ronaldinho heading to AC Milan.

 Written By Sean Connolly

What was the lead highlight on Thursday night’s SportsCenter? It was an MLS game. Can you believe it? Ten years ago it was a thought that was in nobody’s head, especially ESPN. But Beckham’s first goal in the MLS is exactly what fans have been looking for, and apparently ESPN.

His first goal ignited fans in the stadium and just watching the game led you to jump out of your seat. The atmosphere of the game was outstanding. Every time Beckham would touch the ball there was an immediate buzz that was audible to a viewer. Fans were always on edge, wondering what he would do next.

Beckham played his best game of his short MLS career as he had an assist as well, to go with his first goal. Beckham dropped a ball onto Landon Donovan’s foot. Beckham couldn’t make it any easier for Donovan as he easily put the ball in the back of the net.

Beckhams skill, even though it is diminishing, is far more superior than other players in the MLS. His vision is just amazing compared to his teammates and is a great change to the MLS. It seems that the American style of play of kick and run isn’t entertaining enough to Americans as first thought. The European style of play has been more welcomed and sought after in the MLS.

The win gave the Galaxy an excellent start to the season after its awful end to last season. Beckham adn the Galaxy’s exciting start will hopefully launch the MLS to its most successful season yet.