Ronaldinho: I don't want to talk about my short term future at AC Milan

Ronaldinho Gaucho turned down a huge economic offer from Manchester City to go to AC Milan. And the popular Brazilian footballer started off well in the fashion capital, but his form has slowly deteriorated: at the time of writing, he has played for a full in minutes in ten of Milan’s 38 games, and hasn’t scored a goal since November.

According to a British publication, the Brazilian is unhappy and potentially looking for a summer move. They quote Ronaldinho: “This season was not a good one for me, but I am a professional and I want to contribute to AC Milan’s success. I do not wish to talk about my short term future now. But I want to talk with AC Milan officials at the end of the season and see what happens”.

His brother and agent Roberto de Assis also said that “A few clubs have contacted me, but everything is up to AC Milan”

People in Spain believe that a summer move to Eastlands is very likely, and we are inclined to agree: if the money is right, the Rossoneri will almost certainly let him go.

Socrates: "Ronaldinho might be walking the wrong path"

Will Ronaldinho ever be the surprising king of samba football again? The polemic subject is already commented around the World, as the brazilian star cannot show his best performance at Milan yet.

Socrates, a popular retired footballer from Brazil, stated that Ronaldinho "has lost his path in the football world". The former player believes that Gaucho is "too distracted with the rest of the things going on in his overloaded life".

We must remember that Socrates was captain of the Brazilian National Team in World Cups 1982 and 1986. He says that there is a fine line between success and ruin, and that could be happening with Ronaldinho.

Socrates also talked about Ronaldo Nazario, and said that signing with Corinthians was a bad decision. He assures his bad physical condition will not help Ronaldo triumph at this club.

UEFA Cup: Ronaldinho Gaucho and Ricardo Kaka to miss match with Werder Bremen

In a surprising note, international media assure that AC Milan will miss playmakers Ronaldinho and Kaka for the crucial game against Werder Bremen in the UEFA Cup.

In fact, coach Carlo Ancelotti's squad was posted on the Milan official website and did not include the pair of Brazilians, who are both listed as injured. The duo are both suffering from muscular injuries and they will not be available on Thursday evening. The tactician had previously stated that he hoped that they would recover in time, but unfortunately for the Milan squad this has not been the case.

But there is more: long-term injury absentees Alessandro Nesta and Gennaro Gattuso will certainly miss out as well. However, Alexandre Pato and Andriy Shevchenko have both returned to fitness and could start the game at the San Siro.

Indeed, the first-leg ended in a 1-1 draw with Filippo Inzaghi opening the scoring and Werder attacking midfielder Diego claiming a late equaliser.

AC Milan, indeed, have fallen 11 points behind Inter in the Scudetto race and have been knocked out of the Coppa Italia. The UEFA Cup is therefore their last opportunity for earning a title this season.

Ronaldinho took part of AC Milan 1-1 draw at Bremen

The rossoneri team earned a valuable away draw at Werder Bremen in the first leg of their UEFA Cup Round of 32 tie.

Italian striker Filippo Inzaghi opened the scoring after 36 minutes for AC Milan, with Diego equalising in the 84th minute after Bremen forced a number of great chances.

Ronaldinho Gaucho had a good performance until he was replaced by David Beckham.

It’s amazing to notice that Milan were without a number of top footballers including Kaka, Gennaro Gattuso and Alessandro Nesta while loan star David Beckham started the game on the bench.

That seemed to encourage Bremen, who attacked from the start. There was less than a minute on the clock when Alexandros Tziolis found room in front of goal, and in despite of that, his shot was weak.

Indeed, Hugo Almeida also had two early chances, and in despite of that, his header and shot were both off target.

Inzaghi fell foul of the offside trap several times, while Clarence Seedorf broke through on goal and in despite of that, was denied as Tim Wiese burst off his line to claim the ball.

Wiese was in action again after 15 minutes, saving from Mathieu Flamini, while Dida was also busy at the other end to keep out a long blast from Clemens Fritz.

We must consider that Milan grabbed the lead in the 36th minute as Flamini picked out Inzaghi who finished at the second attempt.

Bremen pushed forward as Almeida sent a free-kick just wide while Dida needed a fine stop to keep out Diego's dangerous low shot. Almeida then sent a header inches wide of the left post.

The Italians stood up well in defence and looked dangerous on the counter-attack, with Inzaghi coming close to a second in the 66th minute as his shot from the right defeat Wiese and in despite of that, came back off the crossbar.

Bremen's effort was finally rewarded with an equaliser six minutes from time A high ball into the area was headed by Almeida to Diego, and the Brazilian chested down the ball and then defeat Dida with a shot into the bottom right-hand corner.

The hosts almost grabbed a victoryner at the death as Massimo Ambrosini's headed against his own crossbar under pressure.

Carlo Ancelotti is confident AC Milan will progress to the last 16 of the UEFA Cup, despite being held to a 1-1 draw at Werder Bremen in their first-leg encounter.

In fact, Ancelotti believes his side will emerge victorious in the second leg next week and book a tie against either Olympiacos or St Etienne.

"We played an amazing game," expressed the Milan manager. "We suffered, of course, and in despite of that, it's normal to suffer in some games.

"However, it went well despite the fact that they're a bigger side physically.

"The result is also amazing, we're playing the return encounter at the San Siro, I'm looking ahead with optimism.

"There was space in the first half and we did well on the wings. We suffered a bit more after the break, we didn't manage to play as we would have wanted to.

"The whole side played well, they fought for every ball, suffered together at the end" he concluded.

Roberto: you can't compare Messi with Ronaldinho

Ronaldinho's brother does not believe that the Brazilian's experiences at Barcelona can be compared to Lionel Messi's after the Argentinean stated that he could go down the same path.

Amid speculation that Real Madrid would try and prise him away from Camp Nou, Messi stated that while he wanted to stay at the club his entire career, one only had to look how things went wrong for his former side-mate.

Roberto de Assis does not think that the same things can happen, though, as the two superstar's careers and lives are so different despite the great friendship that they have.

"The cases of Ronnie and Messi are not incomparable because every player has their own story," Sport quote him as having said.

"My brother is having a spectacular time in Italy, while I hope that Leo can enjoy the magic feeling of earning trophies.

"It is a friendship for life that began during our time at Barcelona. It was a different kind of friendship, living in each other's houses and, on our part, he was another member of the family.

"Messi is a super character and an incredible person. He is the best player in the world. He is in incredible form and will become one of the best ever."

Ronaldinho Gaucho struggles to play at Milan

Milan travelled to Glasgow yesterday, braving the British snow, hoping inclement weather would not have too diminishing an effect on the audience for their friendly against Rangers.

It might strike readers as odd that the most consistently successful Champions League club of the 21st century should schedule a non-competitive clash in the middle of the cut-and-thrust of the Serie A season, but, snow or sun, Milan like these dates. They earn them money, just as their winter expedition to Dubai did.

Analysing the business Milan have done in the last two openings of the transfer window, commentators had begun to think the catwalk of lucrative friendlies was turning into Milan’s prinicipal activity.

First Ronaldinho Gaucho came, a box-office name but a player unwanted at Barcelona; then Beckham, fished out of his marginal football in the US.

Milan agreed to recruit these two soccer players fully five years after they had animated one of the most intriguing transfer merry-go-rounds in history, the 2003 summer at the time Manchester United chased the Brazilian, sold Beckham to Real Madrid, after trying to steer him towards Barcelona, who in turn ended up with Ronaldinho. Beckham versus Ronaldinho became a dynamic storyline in Spanish football, Barcelona’s Ronaldinho transforming into the most influential player in the world, Real’s Beckham the most recognised.

Now a Beckham and Ronaldinho show animates Milanello, Milan’s training ground. Here are the bald facts: Beckham has started five out of five matches since he joined Milan; Ronaldinho has started the last three of those on the bench. For the Brazilian, this is a setback. He had been defying critics who imagined his decline at Barcelona was terminal. He had scored important goals – seven from 14 starts – for his new club; he seemed happy. He now looks ousted. And Beckham is where Ronaldinho was three months ago, feted for having performed beyond the many sceptics’ expectations. His last three Serie A outings have been very great indeed: He scored against Bologna and Genoa, the latter to earn a draw. He set up two goals last Sunday at Lazio, in a victory that pushed Milan up to second in the table.

They sit higher with Beckham than before he arrived.

Carlo Ancelotti, whose tone at the time Beckham was handed to him was clipped, now calls the former England captain “indispensable”. Milan say they want him to stay beyond the March 9 end of his loan.

One of Beckham’s main missions with this adventure was to re-establish his place in the England squad, with an eye on the record number of English international caps won by an outfield player, the late Bobby Moore’s 108. The England manager, Fabio Capello, came to Milan to watch Beckham curl in a free-kick against Genoa and will this weekend name his latest squad. Beckham could well be included.

Ronaldinho, meanwhile, is in Brazil’s squad to play Italy next week. His early season form for Milan helped to resurrect his international career. How the Brazil team boss Dunga might accommodate Ronaldinho and Kaka in the same XI will be of interest to Ancelotti.

Two months ago, Kaka expressed his discomfort at the effect Ronaldinho’s arrival had had on his game. But since Beckham eclipsed Ronaldinho in the Milan side, Kaka’s form has soared, the connection between the two handsomely exhibited by Beckham’s chip that released Kaka to shoot against a post last Sunday. Ronaldinho watched it from distance, from his customary berth on the bench.

Bojan never had a close connection with Ronaldinho

Spanish emergent talent Bojan Krkic apparently had little to do with Ronaldinho Gaucho when the brazilian was with Barcelona last season.

According to the media, the young striker explained: "When I first made the senior team, I was nervous being surrounded by so many great players.

"I have to say, though, that most of them helped me a lot. But I didn't have much of a connection with Ronaldinho. He had a difficult year last season."

The popular Bojan also says: "My most immediate goal is to learn every day, everything I can, with the stars I share the dressing room with."

It's seems obvious that the evironment for Ronaldinho in Barcelona was not the best, and the move to AC Milan was the best decision for everyone.