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Transfer Rumor: Ronaldinho to Orlando City?
Surprise! Orlando is the latest destination in the neverending saga of where Brazilian star Ronaldinho will land, now that he’s apparently out of favor with Mexican side Querétaro FC. A report from Medio Tiempo today has Twitter stirred up about a potential move to Orlando City SC. The report also mentions Angola club Kabuscorp Sport Clube do Palanca as a possible future destination for Ronaldinho.
Rumors of the former Barcelona and AC Milan star man have been swirling for a while, including this report of a potential move to the LA Galaxy before Christmas. Earlier today, this tweet offered up the possibility of Ronaldinho heading to a different Florida location.
Rumors circulating in south Florida that @FTLStrikers are interested in signed Ronaldinho. Could certainly be a game changer if true. #nasl
— The Kartik Report (@Fla_Soccer) December 29, 2014
The tweet did not offer up any sources or link to a story.
Ronaldinho is still under contract with Querétaro, and reported for preseason training as scheduled on Friday morning after missing some time, reportedly with family issues. He is signed with the club until 2016.
Does this rumor even make any sense?
On the one hand, yes. Orlando City has shown a fondness for Brazilians. Ronaldinho is a player with some star power and name recognition, and would certainly create even more buzz for the Lions in the build-up to the 2015 inaugural MLS season. His name alone would sell tickets and the thought of him playing with Kaká would generate a whole lot of interest. Who wouldn’t want that for their club?
On the other hand…no.
Although he has played forward, at this stage of the 34-year-old’s career he seems better suited for the midfield, which is already looking a bit crowded in Orlando. The Lions have Brek Shea, Kaká and Kevin Molino as a potential starting attacking trio. Other midfielders include Pedro Ribeiro, Tony Cascio, Harrison Heath, Estrela, Lewis Neal, and Amobi Okugo. (Admittedly, several of those players are defensive midfielders, but not all.) Shea could also move to left back, but I think that’s less likely.
Ronaldinho would also be a pricey signing and Orlando City doesn’t seem prepared to add that kind of a salary on top of Kaká and underage Designated Player Bryan Róchez.
The TL;DR version: it’s an interesting rumor. We don’t think there’s much to it but crazier things have happened.