Al Shabab in talks to sign Brazil legend Ronaldinho

Ronaldinho is currently plying his trade in his native Brazil for Atletico Mineiro where he has six months left on his contract. The former Barcelona and AC Milan forward is enjoying a new lease of life since returning to his homeland and is now in the frame for a return to the national squad ahead of the 2014 World Cup on home soil.

However, according to local Arabic reports, Ronaldinho’s brother and agent Roberto de Assis has offered the two-time World Player of the Year to Al Shabab and is demanding a contract of €6million (Dhs 28.7m)-a-year.

Al Shabab Board of Directors member, Mohammed Al Meri, is quoted in the local media as saying: “Ronaldinho would be a great asset not only to Al Shabab Club but also to the Arabian Gulf League because of his fame, international experience and the widespread interest he would create.

“He would be a major star for Al Shabab or any other club in the UAE.

“The club is dealing with the offer very seriously and we are exploring ways in which we can make it a reality,” Al Meri added.

“If Al Shabab can get companies to sponsor the contract, it would transform the offer into a genuine deal. If the club can make it happen, it will elevate both the club and the league.”

Al Shabab, who finished fourth in the league last season, already boast a strong South American contingent, with Brazilian trio Edgar, Ciel, and Luiz Henrique, while Chilean Carlos Villanueva will return to the Maktoum bin Rashid Stadium for the new season after excelling on-loan at Universidad Católica.

UAE football operates on a three foreign player policy – with the addition of an Asian player – so as things stand, Shabab already need to give one Latin star their marching orders, before factoring in the potential arrival of Ronaldinho.

While the Ronaldinho revelations have the ability to excite the Shabab faithful, it must be remembered that it’s not the first time the Brazilian has been touted for a move to the UAE.

In two successive summers, Ronaldinho was ‘offered’ to Al Ahli and then to Sharjah before ultimately remaining in Brazil.

With his Atletico deal expiring in six months, some may argue that the perceived interest in moving to the UAE is a ploy to begin negotiations over a contract extension.

As Al Meri said, Ronaldinho moving to the UAE would have a huge impact on both the club he signs for and the local league in general. But whether that remains a realistic possibility, we will have to wait and see.

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