Ronaldinho has threatened to quit his Brazilian club Flamengo unless he receives over $2 million in unpaid wages, his agent and brother Roberto de Assis has claimed.
The two-time World Player of the Year only joined Flamengo in January last year but De Assis said his brother was willing to boycott Flamengo’s Copa Libertadores opener because of the ongoing dispute over unpaid wages, and maybe even leave the Rio side.
The former Barcelona and AC Milan forward is allegedly owed five months salary.
“I want to reach agreement and then he can compete in the Copa Libertadores. But I don't know if that's going to happen,” de Assis told Extra newspaper ahead of the January 25 Libertadores tie against Bolivian side Real Potosi.
Three-quarters of Ronaldinho’s salary is covered by marketing group Traffic, who have not paid in five months, amounting to $2.05 million.
“Someone has to take that on, they have to pay. We've been waiting for five months now. They (Flamengo and Traffic) have to reach agreement but that seems difficult to me. Five months have gone by and there has been nothing,” de Assis continued.
Flamengo president Patricia Amorim expressed his optimism that “things are advancing”.
Nevertheless, De Assis warned that if the 31-year-old former World Cup winner is not paid immediately he could take up one of several firm offers he has had from teams in Italy, Spain and South America.
Ronaldinho returned to Brazil in 2011 in the hope of winning back a place in the national side for the 2014 World Cup which is being hosted by his home country. He has done this, becoming a fixture in Selecao coach Mano Menezes’ squad in recent times.
Ronaldinho, whose full name is Ronaldo de Assis Moreira, started his career with Gremio aged 18 before moving to Paris Saint-Germain, FC Barcelona – whom he inspired to the 2006 Uefa Champions League – and then AC Milan.
He is regarded as one of football’s all-time greats.
The two-time World Player of the Year only joined Flamengo in January last year but De Assis said his brother was willing to boycott Flamengo’s Copa Libertadores opener because of the ongoing dispute over unpaid wages, and maybe even leave the Rio side.
The former Barcelona and AC Milan forward is allegedly owed five months salary.
 |
| The Father... Ronaldinho |
Three-quarters of Ronaldinho’s salary is covered by marketing group Traffic, who have not paid in five months, amounting to $2.05 million.
“Someone has to take that on, they have to pay. We've been waiting for five months now. They (Flamengo and Traffic) have to reach agreement but that seems difficult to me. Five months have gone by and there has been nothing,” de Assis continued.
Flamengo president Patricia Amorim expressed his optimism that “things are advancing”.
Nevertheless, De Assis warned that if the 31-year-old former World Cup winner is not paid immediately he could take up one of several firm offers he has had from teams in Italy, Spain and South America.
Ronaldinho returned to Brazil in 2011 in the hope of winning back a place in the national side for the 2014 World Cup which is being hosted by his home country. He has done this, becoming a fixture in Selecao coach Mano Menezes’ squad in recent times.
Ronaldinho, whose full name is Ronaldo de Assis Moreira, started his career with Gremio aged 18 before moving to Paris Saint-Germain, FC Barcelona – whom he inspired to the 2006 Uefa Champions League – and then AC Milan.
He is regarded as one of football’s all-time greats.
No comments:
Post a Comment