Is Ronaldinho's time nearly up at Milan?

Is Ronaldinho's time in Milan almost up? After a disappointing display in AC Milan's 1-1 draw with bottom club Reggina, I ask, can the one time ‘best player in the world' produce the form of 3 years ago and show Milan he deserves a place in the starting eleven.

Only 3 years ago Ronaldinho was hailed as a footballing genius, a mercurial talent, head and shoulders above his nearest challenger. He helped Barcelona reclaim La Liga and win a second European Cup, it looked as if the sky was the limit and the world was indeed his oyster. These successes came after a magnificent World Cup victory with Brazil where he scored an audacious free kick against David Seaman and England to further enhance a growing reputation.

But after a disastrous 2006 World Cup with Brazil, Ronaldinho was on sensational form on his return to Barcelona scoring 21 goals in 32 La Liga games, thus helping Barca retain the league title. Disappointment was to occur in the Champions League, as Ronaldinho and his Barca side were knocked out by Liverpool in the last 16. The following season, Ronaldinho was a shadow of his former self, only playing 27 games in a campaign plagued by injury and reports of dressing room unrest. Barcelona President Joan Laporta then put the Brazilian superstar up for sale in the summer, citing his need for a new challenge.

With limited interest from other clubs, Ronaldinho chose AC Milan over Manchester City and completed a €21 million move. Starting the season strongly with important contributions and such as the only goal in a 1-0 victory over title rivals Inter. He appeared to re-energise an aging Rossoneri squad and having scored a hatful of goals along with a number of assists, it seemed he was justifying the faith Milan had put in him.

Recently, there have been rumblings that he is back to the Ronaldinho of last year, apparently jetting back to Barcelona at every opportunity, he doesn't seem to have shifted the weight he gained last year, lost form and has subsequently lost his place to an aging star who has played the last two seasons in a substandard league. And with David Beckham's excellent form and the team putting together a 7 match unbeaten run, it seems there is no light at the end of the tunnel for Ronaldinho Gaucho, having been dropped for the previous 4 games (before Reggina).

Being given a rare start against bottom club Reggina, he was inconsistent and looked a shadow of his former self, then taken off in the 65th minute, being replaced by 35 year old Pippo Inzaghi. Milan looked a lot more dangerous when he was off the field, and eventually found an equaliser, is this a coincidence or does he just not slot into Carlo Ancelotti's formation. But still, with Kaka's injury it looks as if he will be given another chance in the Derby della Madonnina with Inter.

I for one would love to see him regain the form he showed the world 3 years ago, so he can cement his place among the greats of the game. But I fear his inability to fit into Ancelotti's system could prove to be his undoing, coupled with Beckham's permanent arrival, he may push through a transfer in the summer, possibly to Manchester City and once more try to revitalise his career.