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Report: Ronaldinho’s Flamengo contract terminated after legal dispute

Ronaldinho (Getty Images)

Ronaldinho is reportedly up for grabs.

According to reports out of Brazil, the former two-time FIFA World Player of the Year has won a legal dispute against Flamengo over $20 million in unpaid wages and other payments and as a result has been freed from his contract with the club. Flamengo can appeal the decision, but either way, it appears that the player's time with the Brazilian club is over, especially based on this statement released by Flamengo on Thursday.

After leaving AC Milan in 2011, Ronaldinho had been linked to MLS, specifically the Los Angeles Galaxy, prior to returning to his native country instead and signing with Flamengo. Ronaldinho, 32, has suffered a gradual dip in form since the height of his playing days. Although he has managed to score seven goals in 20 games across all competitions in 2012, his play was recently the subject of much scrutiny among Flamengo coaches and fans. He was also left out of Mano Menezes' roster for Brazil's current string of friendlies, likely ending his hopes of being an overage player on the Selecao's Olympic team.

What do you think of this development? Do you want to see a team in MLS make a run at signing Ronaldinho?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. I’d like to see him go anywhere but LAG or NY… See if the league can get these big names to other markets… Chivas would be cool tho and my union can use all the help they can get

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  2. haha dude i know. i actually didn’t include him when i first wrote it. but he’s been tearing it up, so i added him. why not, you know?!

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  3. Toronto needs to get some of that trade magic back, work it out and sign him. I’d predict an 0-2012 regardless, but it’d be fun to watch another trainwreck roll through that town. 🙂

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  4. What is the obsession with a team that hasn’t existed in decades? I know they had a good run, but really, why not support the team that’s been there since ’96.

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  5. Go RedBulls. I would love to see another Diva jump in the mix there and mess up the only good season so far in franchise history. Go to NYRB.

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  6. Donovan goes to Everton. LA gets a DP back. The bring him in.

    I actually think it’s a reasonable bet

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  7. Sounds like a move to the Red Bulls may be in the cards. Ronaldinho and Marquez in the midfield. Can you name a combo that would run/care less?

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  8. Actually he wasn’t paid the $20 Million. Thus the lawsuit. But your point is well taken. I was thinking all the exact same thing. NYC crushes LA when it comes to a party city.

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  9. Lol I know he’s been playing well but it sounds weird, “Ronaldinho, Thierry Henry and…Kenny Cooper”. One of these things is not like the other.

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  10. i really hope he signs with MLS. LA probably can’t make this one happen unless they made some trades, but i dont see it happening. which probably means it’ll be NYRB who just so happen to be needing a play maker. Dinho, Henry, and Cooper could be ridiculous…

    i wish DCU could/would sign him 🙁

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  11. Ronaldinho goes to Philly. He was talking to a “non Galaxy” team around the time we werent sure if BEcks was coming back, and news arose it WAS an MLS team but WAS NOT the LA GALAXY. If the Philly rumor is true, it does make sense, Philadelphia has cap space, transfer cash and it is a major market and they’re looking to make a splash.

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  12. ^^^ This.

    MLS is calling an emergency meeting right now to figure out how they are going to get LA a 4th DP slot just for Ronny.

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  13. He was just paid $20 million on top of the + $100 million he made during his career over the past decade.

    Ronaldinho likes to party. A lot. No way he goes to play in a place like Qatar. He enjoys women and liquor too much. There has to be little doubt that he’s at least considering coming to play in the United States. LA and NY are the party capitals of the world.

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  14. I’m a fan of MLS and all but could really care less if he played in the league.

    His work ethic is quite poor off the ball and doesn’t hustle enough.

    Hes lazy. Dont want him.

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  15. Actually somewhat likely that he’ll go to Houston because he’s been linked with LA, and AEG owns both LA and Houston. Since LA already has a bunch of expensive DPs, it’s only logical they’d want him in Houston.

    …oh wait, jk 🙁

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  16. I would be the happiest man in the world if he somehow comes to Houston. I’d say a 1/999999999999999999999999.3 chance of this happening.

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  17. This is where Red Bull need to spend their money! A true creative midfielder who would pack the Arena and create a buzz in the city! Do the right thing RBNY! Let Marquez go Buh bye and get Ronnie!

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