Anytime Brazilian star Ronaldinho shows up stateside, his potential arrival in MLS is an inevitable topic of conversation.
This week he sat down with FutbolMLS.com in Los Angeles to discuss the league and whether it could be the next stop in his legendary career.
“It’s a league that's growing, and the United States is a country I love,” he said, reiterating that he is in LA “working with sponsors and looking to the future.”
Earlier this month, an ESPNDeportes.com report indicated that Ronaldinho, who is currently without a club, is considering MLS or Dubai for his next move. The 35-year-old last played for Fluminense in Brazil before mutually parting ways with the side.
Potentially tipping the balance in favor of MLS is the flood of international stars arriving in the North American league over recent years, many of whom Ronaldinho has played with over the course of his 17-year career. This past season saw the MLS debuts of Italian legend Andrea Pirlo, Spanish star David Villa and Ronaldinho's countryman Kaka.
“It motivates every single player in the world to want to come here because everyone wants to be where the best players are,” Ronaldinho said.
He said Kaka’s complimentary comments during his first year with Orlando City SC have been especially eye-opening.
“When you hear this coming from one of the biggest names in soccer, it also gives you the desire to come here,” Ronaldinho said. “… As I said before, today I’m here doing other things, but who knows what can happen in the future.”
