Network Bar

Reminder: Ronaldinho Is Not On Brazil's 2010 World Cup Team

by Matt O'Brien • Jun 15, 2010 7:17 PM EDT

With the heavily-favored Brazilians struggling against the mysterious North Koreans' seemingly impenetrable defense (dropping ten back will do that) for much of their opening match, you may have wondered: why don't the Brazilians put in Ronaldinho? After all, if anyone could samba their way past the North Koreans' back line, it'd be him.

Well, contrary to what Nike's ad people might have you believe, Ronaldinho isn't actually participating in the World Cup. No -- he hasn't been added to the litany of top tier players sidelined with injury. He just didn't make Brazil's team. Really.

Nike's ubiquitous (and impressive) "Write The Future" World Cup ad was in production for over a year, so they included Brazil's presumptive leader before finding out he wouldn't make it on the pitch in South Africa. So while Ronaldinho's face may be plastered on your television during halftime, you won't catch him sniping any free kicks during the action. And yes, the Brazilians are so ridiculously loaded that they decided they had no use for a 30-year old, former two-time FIFA Player of the Year. Must be nice.

Do you like this post?

Next Post: The Yankees Ripped Off The Phillie Phanatic With Disastrous Results

Previous Post: Not Your Imagination: 2010 World Cup Is Setting Records For Its Lack Of Goals

Comments

Are you sure you aren't confusing Ronaldinho with Ronaldo?

They aren’t the same person and the ad features Ronaldo who is playing in the World Cup for Brazil… I’m not even a soccer fan and I knew that.

by -Tag on Jun 16, 2010 12:51 PM EDT reply actions

Edit: He plays for Portugal, not Brazil.

by -Tag on Jun 16, 2010 12:57 PM EDT up reply actions

you are retarded!

hes not talking about cristiano hes talking about Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima

by Johnny Benvenuti on Jun 16, 2010 9:13 PM EDT up reply actions

geez

How can you both be so arrogant when you obviously don’t know what you are talking about?

He is talking about Ronaldo de Assis Moreira , also known as Ronaldinho Gaucho. Who is brazillian, is 30 years old and plays for Milan.

Ronaldo Luis Nazário de Lima is a 33 years and Brazilian, plays for Corinthians and wasn’t even considered for the brazillian squad. He is past his prime and considering retirement.

Cristiano Ronaldo is a Portuguese player for crying out loud.

Feel free to correct my grammar. Its been 22 years since i moved abroad. i could use help refining my writing.

by viktor on Jun 18, 2010 3:51 AM EDT up reply actions

When you have 10 North Korean players in the penalty box, it’s hard to squeeze through no matter what team is playing and no matter which player is on the pitch.

BRASIIIIIL!!!!!

by Los Blancos Chicca on Jun 16, 2010 2:11 PM EDT reply actions