"He does not do physical exercise - I cannot make him run because he doesn't like it." The damning words of Queretaro fitness coach Roberto Bassagaisteguy summing up Rinaldo's effort levels behind the scenes for the Mexican club and perhaps the biggest reason for his decline in recent years.
When Ronaldinho left Queretaro in June the footballing world rolled its collective eyes as the latest disappointment from the Brazilian superstar once toted as the greatest ever player.
His time in Liga MX was at best moderately successful and at worst hugely disappointing. Having appeared fairly interested in helping his side through the Apertura, after failing to make the playoffs, his performances and interest appeared to slide downhill.
Having arrived for the 2015 Clausura pre-season three weeks late, before jetting off to Brazil and celebrating new year in a particularly flamboyant fashion, upon returning to the field the two time FIFA World Player of the Year seemed to be a million miles from the player that once wowed football fans all over the world with his extraordinary talent and showmanship.
Throughout the mid 2000s Ronaldinho starred with a Barcelona side that conquered Europe and took the Brazilian from being a talented prospect to the world´s most famous footballer.
Since leaving the Catalans in 2008 the Brazilian has been in relative freefall, drifting from club to club and continent to continent.
Having agreed to join Fluminense in his native Brazil in July, fans of El Flu were naturally excited by the prospect of the former great inspiring them to their first Campeonato title since 2012.
Having made his debut for the club last weekend, Ronaldinho showed the flashes of quality he was once known for, and despite his clear lack of physical fitness the player managed the full 90 minutes and even had a hand in Fluminense´s only goal of the game.
',width:'100',height:'100'" width="100" height="100" />Deep down fans of football all over the world will be hoping that Ronaldinho can regain a least some of the form that brought him so many admirers and won him so many prizes.
You can't help but think, however, that this is now a man who will never regain the work ethic needed to become great again.
The example set by Kaka at Orlando City is one that shows what is possible when a player dedicates himself to his sport, even if his best days are behind him.
For all of Rinaldo's public promises and ambitions for his time at Fluminense perhaps his true intentions at the Rio club can be summed up by the fact that upon signing for the club he ensured that he received two weeks holiday before reporting for his training session.
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