Ronaldinho Snubs Man City for A.C. Milan

Remember those reports last year saying that A.C. Milan were willing to pay Barcelona $180 million for Ronaldinho? Maybe Barca should have taken them up on that offer. One year after that report, Milan got Big Ronnie for a lot less.

Milan will pay Barca €21 million ($33.5 million) to reunite Ronaldinho with Brazil teammates Kaká and Ronaldo, not to mention future Brazil star Alexandre Pato. The pudgy superstar, who has clearly taken Peyton Manning's advice and bought bigger shirts, accepted the offer from Milan after snubbing Manchester City, who reportedly offered £25.5 million ($51.25 million) for Big Ronnie. Clearly, this man was never going to play for Man City. Milan clearly took advantage of what Sid Lowe of The Guardian called Barcelona's ham-fisted exit strategy for their most prized asset.

The question remains, though, as to whether Milan allow Big Ronnie to play for Brazil's Olympic team next month. Barca did not want to release him, and Milan effectively blocked Kaká from consideration. He's on the roster, though, and determined to help Brazil win the gold. The Olympics might be useful in getting him back in playing shape again, too, and a fit Ronaldinho would certainly help Milan in their quest to win Europe's NIT next season.