It is time for Ronaldinho to retire?

The international transfer window is always full of interesting bits of news and information.

Oh sure plenty of it is hyperbole and bombastic claims. Most of them generally involve Major League Soccer and some aging veteran. Others will include Arsenal and pretty much every major player available.

Then of course there are the always fascinating Real Madrid and FC Barcelona rumors which are mostly fascinating because it takes about five to ten minutes to figure out their depth chart.

Then there are the Ronaldinho rumors. This week the Brazilian legend left open the chance that his now-journeyman career might continue in the India Super League. This came on the heels of him scoring five goals in the India Premier Futsal League. You heard that right: Ronaldinho was playing futsal. In India.

While neither of these things is certainly something to look down on (Futsal is a very difficult style of soccer and India’s interest in the beautiful game has boomed in recent years) it is still a bit jarring to see Ronaldinho playing in such a far off area.

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Although Ronaldinho is not the first legend to take his final footballing days abroad it is a sign that perhaps it is time for him to retire.

The problem with Ronaldinho is that the end has been coming for quite some time. After finishing up with Milan in 2011 Ronaldinho has spent most of his time in the Brazilian leagues, failing to catch on with any club. His spells with Flamengo, Atletico Mineiro, Queretaro, and Fluminense all ended rather unspectacularly with the former Ballon d’Or winner leaving either because of mutual consent or under spurious circumstances.

Even when he was able to pull back the clock it was fleeting. Perhaps his best club experience as of late was with Atletico Mineiro where he helped the club claim the 2013 Copa Libertadores title. His goal at the 2013 Club World Cup against Raja Casablanca showed that there was some magic left in him.

But even one watches those highlights it is apparent that his best days are behind him and that staying in shape is an issue. Even with Mineiro Ronaldinho left under bad terms, ending his contract by mutual consent in 2014.

The problem with the way club soccer is built is that there really isn’t a time or place when players can effectively retire. Even after offers have dried up in Europe and South America there will always be opportunities in North America, Asia, and as a sub-continent the Middle East. Although the competition might not be as good as the top leagues in the world the pay is.

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While Ronaldinho is certainly entitled to continue to make money off of past glory at a certain he, like many other aging legends, has to figure out the damage it does to their legacy. We have certainly seen it here in Major League Soccer where the last memory that some of have of former legends is limping around the field and being unable to beat second or third tier players.

If Ronaldinho chooses to play in India or goes elsewhere hopefully supporters understand that he is different. He is 36, about five years past his prime, and most likely has lost two steps. While he may be able to razzle dazzle with a move or two this is not the same player that won the 2002 World Cup. Expecting a 36-year-old to be the same person they were at 22 is foolish.

In the end it is Ronaldinho’s decision to make. If he chooses to take the money and go on another adventure he runs the risk of further damaging one of the great footballing careers. Only Ronaldinho will be helped or hurt by this decision.