Ronaldinho Freestyle

[Samps]

Ronaldo doesn't have HALF the field presence of Ronaldinho. He sees the game for what's in it for him as Ronaldinho sees the entire field like a game of chess.

Doing multiple stepovers with each possession of the ball does not constitute being one of the best players in the world.

Ronaldinho is like a better version of Carlos Valderama when it comes to vision. Cocky? Maybe but you would be too if you were he.

That kernon kid isn't even CLOSE to the top 10 in terms of world talent. Running down the field doing the seal bounce isn't going to get my vote. Also, in that video of him, you saw him finishing...NOT creating.

If you look closely, most of the players AROUND him made his goals happen. Ronaldinho creates his OWN opportunities.

Beckham = worthless. This guy is so lazy these days and has 0 work ethic. That's why he joined the MLS. American dollars for just showing up is his persona now...

 

[andregurov]

Beckham = worthless. This guy is so lazy these days and has 0 work ethic.

Lazy on the pitch? Or on the training ground? Or off of both? And what does "0 work ethic" mean? Like it or not, he did give his all during the World Cup. I think perhaps his age, injuries, and SHEER AMOUNT OF GAMES he's played in his career are catching up with him, but he can still be tremendously effective on the Continent. I am excited (as a North American) to see him come to MLS, simply because his persona will draw interest.

And if you could verify your argument about his laziness with examples I would appreciate it. I'd always heard him referenced as a true workout warrior on the training pitch.

J

 

[Mourinho18]

Oh please, Ronaldinho is the world's most overrated player. Example, the world cup.

He's such an inconsistent player who has a couple flashes of brilliance and all of a sudden, he's a magician on the field. I would take a player like Deco over Ronaldinho any day.

 

[Steve_89]

Oh please, Ronaldinho is the world's most overrated player. Example, the world cup.

He's such an inconsistent player who has a couple flashes of brilliance and all of a sudden, he's a magician on the field. I would take a player like Deco over Ronaldinho any day.

I'm gonna have to agree with you.

 

[davo]

i agree. hes as much a celebrity too which helps him. hes no a bad player or anything, but overrated.

If ronaldo gets player of the month again, he'll be the first person to get 3 players of the month in a row, beating bergkamp, shearer and ?>?>?>

 

[Samps]

Lazy on the pitch? Or on the training ground? Or off of both? And what does "0 work ethic" mean? Like it or not, he did give his all during the World Cup. I think perhaps his age, injuries, and SHEER AMOUNT OF GAMES he's played in his career are catching up with him, but he can still be tremendously effective on the Continent. I am excited (as a North American) to see him come to MLS, simply because his persona will draw interest.

And if you could verify your argument about his laziness with examples I would appreciate it. I'd always heard him referenced as a true workout warrior on the training pitch.

J

Read the articles on him as of last week. Real Madrid was going to keep him around simply to sell shirts. His playing time has dwindled down to a few minutes per game due to his work ethic. As for actual examples what are you looking for here? It's not like I'm stretching next to the guy during warm-ups or something.

Just take a look at him physically...He's a far cry from what he used to be even 3yrs ago.

He will do well in MLS because american soccer is probably closer to bottom feeding than any other country except Canada and Iceland.

Just like Valderama did in MLS...This is a place where once great athletes come to die...

I love american soccer. Played professionally myself in the MISL in the late 80's but let's be realistic please.

Even when they payed PELE' millions in the 70's to come here, it still ended in disaster. Americans have the mindset that soccer is for children...and girls in particular. It's something that parents believe kids should play to train and condition them for other "american" sports.

I am a fan of the MLS and of soccer. My son is 5 yrs old and just qualified for the National Championships at Disney in July. But, when he's around 8yrs old, I am going with him oversees during the summer months so he can train with real professionals.

Any league that embraces Freddy Adu has issues. We should be ponying up big dollars to bring other premier players here. The problem with that is that those players will outshine our existing MLS players.

Until this country takes soccer seriously from childhood through adulthood, we will always be a 3rd rate soccer power.

Mark overmars, Dennis Bergkamp, shearer, etc... they were FAR older than Beckham and almost twice as many games under their belts and were playing at a MUCH higher level than Beckham is today. That's a fact.

I won't continue the Ronaldinho vs. Ronaldo debate because it's a waste of time as everyone has their opinion. The Beckham deal though, is fact.

 

[Mourinho18]

Beckham is really more concerned about his image than his ability on the pitch. After that great year he had in 1999-2000, that's about when it went downhill for him.

MLS isn't really an attraction for me in the United States. I live in New England but I couldn't really care less about the Revolution. I'm way more interested in the Premier League, and the Portuguese Super League and that's how it is with all of my friends that are enthusiasts. Soccer will probably never be big in the United States (which is why I plan on moving to Europe ). Too much competition from other sports.

 

[andregurov]

Read the articles on him as of last week. Real Madrid was going to keep him around simply to sell shirts. His playing time has dwindled down to a few minutes per game due to his work ethic. As for actual examples what are you looking for here? It's not like I'm stretching next to the guy during warm-ups or something.

Just take a look at him physically...He's a far cry from what he used to be even 3yrs ago.

Mark overmars, Dennis Bergkamp, shearer, etc... they were FAR older than Beckham and almost twice as many games under their belts and were playing at a MUCH .

I think you make my point. Why is he not playing? Because of poor practice habits? No. Because his manager is looking for a different skillset amongst his players. That doesn't say anything about his practice habits or his work ethic. On the pitch he's obviously limited. His game has never been that of a defensive midfielder but of a wing supplier. My emphasis was that calling him "lazy" is unsupported and quite plainly wrong. If you dislike him for his jet-setting image and worldwide popularity that's fine. But don't transfer your dislike of those facets of him onto his legitimate provenance on the field. I think you post some interesting comparisons here too. Both Overmars and Shearer were plagued by injury late in their long careers, undoubtedly due to sheer # of games and traveling. Bergkamp is a bit more of a exception, as he famously (or infamously if you aren't a Gunners fan ) didn't travel to many continental games and was fortunate enough late in his career to not be an every game player but a spot starter or stylish sub.

I also find that my physical condition is quite different than it was 3 years ago, so it would be the pot calling the kettle quite black for me to claim that

Ultimately, any man willing to put in the fantastically long hours to perfect his crossing, travel worldwide on days off to maintain his image, and quietly, professionally, deal with the distractions of the last 4 weeks is far from "lazy", by the most radical definition of the term.

J

 

[varanio]

I wanted to touch on a couple of things.

Ronaldo vs Ronaldhino
I want to start with stating that I admire and respect both players greatly. I do however side with Ronaldhino being the better and more important player not only to their respective team, but for futbol in general.

Why I say this is for the following reasons. You have to watch a barcelona game in full in order to really understand what I am about to say. Ronaldhino is far more effective in the way he plays in that he is the orchestrator from midfield into the attacking third. He is deadly with his feet his passes his vision and the psychological advantage he has over the opposition. Where as Cristiano Ronaldo is a bit more predictable. There are three options... C Ronaldo will dribble past you and succeed or he will dive if touched for the most part..."there are times he uses strength to get by players", he rarely changes the point of attack which is crucial to the attack. Or he crosses the ball. Three points that hinder C ronaldo. However Ronaldhino is different he gets the whole team involved in the game. He plays ONE TOUCH he will take on defenders at will and he has vision like noone else.. he sees the play before it even happens. He also spreads the field out as much as he can by making blind runs for defenders to follow him making available lanes for teammates to get the ball. Yes Ronaldhino doesnt defend, but why should he if he has Deco Xavi and Edmilson/ Motta/ Iniesta behind him in a supporting cast. IF i was ronaldhino I would be very confident in just concentrating on attacking " which is what he does best" knowing I have a cast of world class defensive midfielders watching my back.

C ronaldo does have to play more defense to his position. C Ronaldo is more winged minded in his attack.. Yes he will cut into the middle have a shot or break away for a goal, but the high percent of his attacks are forced down the wing. Man U likes to attack their backs as well so there is more initiative in him helping in defense as its part of playing outside winger/midfielder supporting the outside backs when they attack.

About the heart and sole of their respective teams...I think the heart and sole of Man U is paul scholes hands down. He is playing his best futbol in quite some time. I think C Ronaldo is a difference maker the X factor, but not the heart and soul of the team.

Ronaldhino is the offensive heart and soul of his team. While I think Xavi is the defensive heart and soul of Barcelona there is so much cohesion in Barcelona that I think these roles can be named this way. Xavi orchestrates from the back line to half field and on and Ronnie is in charge of half to the attacking 6...thats why Barca has the best midfield in the world. The have two orchestrators on two halves of the field and thats why their attack is so fluid and elegant.

Now to comment on beckham....I think hes good and free kicks and corners. There is no doubt that he is very accurate. But its like having a sniper go into the field with a semi automatic uzzie ...."WTF do i do with this?" Becks struggled at Real because there was much more Toca Toca there than at Man U. Hell do better here in the US ...

I hate V Nistlerooy he looks like a ****** dog panting for air everytime I see him on the tube.

Benfica I completely disagree with you and wish you wouldnt have disrespected Zinedine like that. Zinedine is perhaps the most influential player in this time. He was like a sympthony when he played. It was like he walked on water.....he relaxed me when I watched him play. How would you like it if some thug was making fun of your ethnicity and was making defamating comments about your mother and wife and sisters in a "rape" sort of way? Talk about classless... Materrazi is a thug and should be banned from Futbol for his dirty tackles and mouth.

I think thats it... feel free to chime in ...Frank Rijkaard is far superior of a manager than Mourinho and not to discredit his successes at Porto and Chelsea.

 

[Steve_89]

Ultimately, any man willing to put in the fantastically long hours to perfect his crossing, travel worldwide on days off to maintain his image, and quietly, professionally, deal with the distractions of the last 4 weeks is far from "lazy", by the most radical definition of the term.

J

I'd do it too for $250 million

About the heart and sole of their respective teams...I think the heart and sole of Man U is paul scholes hands down.

101% agree with you right there.

An absolutely fantastic player.

I think thats it... feel free to chime in ...Frank Rijkaard is far superior of a manager than Mourinho and not to discredit his successes at Porto and Chelsea.

LOL...I don't think Benfica is going to like that one.

Would saying Sir Alex is better as well be too much?