He left as he arrived: with misdirection and mystery. Whispers of discontent. A request to play at the testimonial of Deco in Portugal. A missed flight. A few days off the radar.
For Ronaldinho, it was ever thus. Football's great travelling entertainer has always mixed one part frustration and two parts inspiration during a career that now looks likely to draw to a close away from Brazil. After two years of magic and madness with Atlético Mineiro, the medicine show is now set to roll on – possibly to the MLS, possibly pretty much anywhere where there are parties and girls and fans who know his name.
Not that Atlético can have failed to leave an imprint on his heart. From the moment the Galo were revealed as his destination after some all-too-public football club speed dating in 2012, this was always going to be a match made in heaven. There was R10, his toothy grin diminished by wage disputes and a loss of form at Flamengo. And there was Atlético, Brazilian football's ugly duckling, without a major title since... well, for longer than anyone cared to check.
Together they were stronger. The club indulged Ronaldinho's occasional dalliances and he repaid them with healthy dollops of his genius, as well as an international profile they had hitherto lacked. With the playmaker forming a lethal attack with Bernard and Jô, Atlético came close to winning the title in 2012. A year later, the levy finally broke: the Belo Horizonte club won the Copa Libertadores for the first time in their history.
It was a dizzying high and was followed by a hangover to match – both for club and player. As Atlético focussed on the Club World Cup Ronaldinho's domestic season was disrupted by injury: while he managed 7 goals and a WhoScored rating of 7.33 in last year's Brasileirão, he only managed 14 appearances. The trend continued downward this term: 2.9 key passes a game in 2013 fell to 0.5 over two measly games in 2014.
With his influence having waned, the task of replacing him arguably began months ago. Here, then, are the players that will need to step up as the Brazilian season progresses:
Guilherme
The former Cruzeiro man has mainly been used as a back-up for Ronaldinho: of the six times the veteran started for Atlético this year, Guilherme replaced him in five, indicating that Levir Culpi feels he can do a similar job. His statistics, though, indicate that he might struggle to hold down a first-team spot. His passing accuracy is higher than Ronaldinho's was last term (77.6% to 70.9%) but he affects games less, making only 22.9 passes and 1 key pass per game. He has also only tried 0.9 shots per game compared to Ronaldinho's 2.6 last year. That would need to improve.
Jesús Dátolo
With 2 goals and 2 assists so far, the Argentine is perhaps a more likely option, even if he is more workmanlike than R10. His 1.8 key passes per game are not matched by any other regular, while his 20 accurate crosses suggests he can influence a game even when used out wide. Often undone by his own versatility, he could grow into a central playmaking role.
A number nine in the eyes of most before he came to Atlético, the 29-year-old has proved himself a versatile presence for the Galo over the last two years. Often used on the flank and given licence to cut inside, he has the passing ability to thrive behind the main striker if given the chance. He averages 1.7 key passes per game and has a respectable passing accuracy of 83.4% in his 8 appearances so far. He also provides a goal threat and will be looking to improve on his 7 goals in 2013 even if he does play deeper.
The best of the rest
Wiry former Udinese man Maicosuel will add some cutting edge in attack but claims that he is not suited to creative duties ("It needs to be someone who has the intelligence to put someone through on goal... I don't really have that"). Stocky wideman Luan certainly has the personality and managed 6 assists last term but has struggled for consistency in 2014. Rosinei completes an impressive 89.6% of his passes but looks likely to remain a bit-part player under Culpi.
Do you think Ronaldinho can be replaced? Where would you like to see him move to next? Let us know in the comments below
