It’s not easy being a fan of the A-League. There hasn’t been a lot to smile about lately.
In the last few months we’ve had Brisbane Roar not pay its players or staff.
We’ve had Central Coast Mariners technical director Tony Walmsley conclude a worldwide search for a coach by appointing himself.
We have Western Sydney Wanderers fans this season, who from my understanding of the new police practices, must keep breathing to a minimum - never mind atmosphere.
We’ve got the players and the governing body going head-to-head over a pay dispute, with rumorus of a potential strike if unresolved.
We all love the domestic game, but gee it's a tough slog sometimes.
So this is a plead to any and all of the A-League clubs.
Please, please, please try and sign Ronaldinho.
All incompetence will be forgiven if you bring this supreme football being to Australian football stadiums.
There may have been better players than Ronaldinho in the history of football but none have been more exciting.
And this is an A-League season that desperately needs an injection of excitement.
With respect to the other international marquees this season, none of them have fans looking ahead to the fixture list to work out when they'll get a first chance to watch them play.
Never mind matches, Ronaldinho would have fans looking at training schedules to see if they could sneak away from work just to watch him caress the ball.
Should he sign for Perth Glory, the lengthy flight from all parts of this vast land would be worthwhile just to watch his goofy smile as he inevitably nutmegs another opponent.
The Brazilian would be the biggest signing in A-League history - sorry Alessandro.
In case you forget how good this guy was, he won everything there is to win in football by the time he was 26 (league titles, a Champions League, a World Cup and two FIFA player of the year awards).
And he did it all with a nonchalance and a smile that reminded the world of why we love the game in the first place.
The 35 year-old may have mutually terminated his contract with Fluminense but the A-League has to take this golden opportunity. It doesn’t matter which club gets him, as long as fans Down Under get to see him every week.
This is a player who transcends club rivalries. Someone so outrageously talented and joyful he had the Real Madrid crowd give him a standing ovation as he ripped Los Merengues apart with Barcelona in El Clasico.
His control makes the illuminati jealous, while his tricks have David Blaine scratching his head. He is the football embodiment of pure joy.
Yes he is old, yes he is slow, and yes he isn’t what he once was – but all the same could be said about Alessandro Del Piero before he joined Sydney FC.
It was only two years ago that Ronaldinho led Atletico Mineiro to Copa Libertadores glory – South America’s premier competition – scoring six and setting up seven in 14 matches.
And who could forget the excitement of having the great Italian - ADP - playing in the A-League. That first free-kick in his first 20 minutes against Newcastle Jets, those four goals against Wellington Phoenix and that overflowing arrivals gate at Sydney airport as he arrived.
If Ronaldinho came to Australia attendances, TV ratings, shirt sales and mainstream interest would all increase - something FFA is desperately trying to achieve.
The league needs that. Ronaldinho can bring that and more. Yes it is a risk, but it is one that needs to be taken.
Who needs him to run when he can do this?
