Dinho The Milanista

By: fetyani | August 5th, 2008

Ronaldinho officially signed for Milan on July 16th of 2008 and the deal was completely sealed on the 17th (after 2-3 years of rumors). The deal was that Barcelona will receive 18.5 million euro (opposed to the rumored 60 million 2 years ago) and an extra 5 million to be rewarded later in bounces with clauses, reports suggested that 2.5 million were for if Milan wins the Scudetto, and 2.5 million if Ronaldinho scores over 10 goals. The contract will keep him a Milanista for the next 3 years.

Minute 2:56. That handshake came from Galliani’s heart. FINALMENTE!!!!!

His arrival was explosive. Dinho-Mania also known as the Dinho-Effect. Newspapers had Ronaldinho’s face on the front page for days. Since he arrived in day one Milan sold 5,000 subscriptions to season tickets (20,000 so far after the Dinho-Effect, around 30,000 overall as of today). 4,000 fans showed up to greet him at his first training at the Milanello facilities. An unprecedented 40,000 gathered at the San Siro Stadium on July 17th to greet him. An astonishing 11,000 pre-ordered Ronaldinho Milan jerseys. Another upside to the deal is Milan profiting financially, although I need to affirm that the financial benefits are not our first priority. Win Win and only WIN!

Ronaldinho showing the desire to join Milan is clearly a sign of his hunger for the game, his ambition and dedication to play at a high level for Milan is appreciated. Manchester City offered 32 million euro for Ronaldinho plus a much higher salary. But Ronaldinho’s heart was set to sign for Milan, he took a pay cut out of his own salary so Milan can pay Barcelona. So he basically decided to go to a big proven champion team like Milan, instead of a very decent upcoming English team Manchester City with all due respect.

Now for the present and future, now the AC Milan Ronaldinho, the supposedly fresh new energized bunny Dinho, The Ka-Pa-Ro Trio (Kaka-Pato-Ronladinho). Dinho did great in the past, but that doesn’t matter right now, he has to start again, no credit will be given to who don’t deserve it. What is sufficient for Dinho to have a successful season? What are we expecting of him? Well speaking ignorantly, some would say we must win the Scudetto. But if we go solely on individual level, one can say 10 goals and 15-20 assists would mean he is doing great. But honestly not everything can be judged by stats alone. I say you will know when he is doing great, because by then you will see the magic and be astonished. For Ronaldinho and Milan to do great next season they need to hope and pray for one thing, injury free season. And as of now it doesn’t look good at all, but that’s another long discussion with too many uncertainties, and more can be discussed about the Milan team at AC Milan @ The Offside.