Report: Ronaldinho close to signing for New York Red Bulls

Ronaldinho in Atletico Mineiro

Brazilian news agency UOL claimed today that Ronaldinho is set to join MLS club New York Red Bulls.

There has been fervent interest in the erstwhile Brazilian poster-boy’s intentions since his contract with Atletico Mineiro was terminated by mutual consent earlier this week. The player apparently met with the club’s officials during the World Cup, but several clubs have since joined in the contest to recruit the 34-year-old entertainer.

If the deal with the MLS club does go through, Ronaldinho will join Tim Cahill and Thierry Henry in the Red Bulls dressing room. The MLS promises to be a much more spectacular event this following season, even though most of the stars have passed their prime.

Henry and Ronaldinho have previously played together for Barcelona in the 2007-08 season.

The playmaker with the perennial toothy grin was named South American Footballer of the Year last season despite being injured for the majority of the second half. Ronaldinho helped the club win the Campeonato Mineiro and guided the Brazilian side to its first ever Copa Libertadores title. He will be a valuable asset to any club even though he was overlooked by Scolari for the World Cup for his colourful social life off the field.

Ronaldinho was previously linked with Fluminese and Boca Juniors who have recently lost the services of Juan Riquelme, and has also received offers from England,Italy and even Australia.

Ronaldinho’s brother and manager, Roberto de Assis Moreira, refrained from confirming anything, but quashed possibilities of retirement.

"He'll play until he's 42", he said, and as his form from last season showed, the greatest Brazilian footballer of the last decade might just play till 2022.