by Nicholas Nikolov

Created on: May 18, 2008   Last Updated: April 02, 2011

All of last month the biggest news coming out of the soccer world was the trade rumours concerning Ronaldo de Assis Moreira, who is known throughout the planet by his nickname Ronaldinho. The Brazilian star hopes to play for Milan next season. Why all of a sudden is the Barcelona talisman so adamant to go play in Milan?

"I don't know if he's adamant about coming to Milan. But look at the personnel. Kaka and Pato. Ronaldo; when and if he returns to health. Cafu, Emerson." Greg Daurio, Editor of 90 Minutes Soccer Magazine said "There's a strong Brazilian contingent at AC that could have something to do with it."

At the moment, talks have not been occurring between Barca and anyone else.

"The trade rumors are already pretty much dead from what I understand. Barca put a $60 million price tag on Ronaldinho which caused the powers at Milan to walk away." Daurio said "By nature, I'm a skeptic of all rumors, especially those that are generated in the European press."

Milan re-offered Ronaldinho a $25 million deal to the Blaugrana for the 28-year-old Brazilian midfielder and he will be meeting with Milan director Adriano Galliani when he goes to Barcelona in hopes of coming to a conclusion, early next week.

How would he fare in the Serie A, would he be able to impact the team in a good way or underachieve?

"I think he would have a positive impact." Daurio said "I think that the whole world knows the kind of player that Ronaldinho is. Granted, his season this year was supremely sub-par by his standards, but that doesn't change the magic that he can provide if given the chance." Greg said "Ronaldinho is at his finest from the left side of midfield, where he can run at defenders, exploit gaps in the defence for his teammates and have the option to shoot or pass."

The Brazilian's spell, while short, asserted himself as an elite player instantly. The former Gremio and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) prodigy had "pretty big shoes to fill" facing high-expectations to follow the footsteps of the clubs past No. 10's, like Rivaldo and Romario.

He achieved much success, winning the Spanish La Liga in both 2004-2005 seasons, Spanish Super Cup in 2005-2006 seasons and crowned Champions League winners in 2005. The two-time FIFA World Player of the year received the prestigious title in 2003 and 2004 seasons.

With a new manager assigned, he will probably put in a new system or style of soccer that both the fans and some of the players may not enjoy and are not accustomed to because Barca has always been an attack-orientated, dazzling style.

"Barcelona has always played an entertaining, flowing, attacking style of soccer. This dates back to the days of Cruyff, continued in the days of Romario and Stoichkov, and is still alive today." Daurio said "The fans will not allow Barcelona to be anything other than beautiful on the pitch."

It will be interesting to see what will happen to Ronaldinho during the off-season. Are Barcelona serious about keeping their Brazilian midfielder, or will he pull a last-minute-surprise and break the hearts of either club? Whatever the outcome, it will surely be exciting to watch him wherever he ends-up playing.

For the last month or two the only club that seemed highly-enthusiastic in signing was Manchester City which looked like he might agree to their terms or possibly move to Chelsea ever since Luiz Felipe Scolari was officially named manager right after the Euro Cup.

All talks of heading to England were destroyed when Barca finally agreed upon an offer of $33.4 million from Milan yesterday the Brazilian's dream came true.

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