Former FC Barcelona midfielder Ronaldinho has signed a two-year contract with Liga MX side Queretaro.
The 34-year-old, who was released by Atletico Mineiro in July, had been linked with numerous obscure clubs around the world, including Indian Super League club Chennai Titans and Basingstoke Town of the Conference South (the sixth-tier of English football).
“We are very pleased to add to our ranks a player who has excelled in international football. A world champion in 2002, World Player of the Year in 2004 and 2005,” read a club statement.
“We hope the fans of our city and around the country join in this celebration of having Ronaldinho as a Gallos who will contribute his experience and expertise to further strengthen this great team.”
The former Brazil international added: “I’ve always been received with affection in Mexico – I am very motivated to represent Queretaro.”
Ronaldinho will wear the No. 49 shirt for Gallos.
Tiago reveals Chelsea snub
Atletico Madrid midfielder Tiago has revealed he rejected ‘a great offer’ from Chelsea to return to West London.
Jose Mourinho signed the former Portugal international, now 31, in a deal worth €15 million in the summer of 2004, and Tiago went to score four goals in 34 English Premier League appearances for the Blues, helping the club win the league title before leaving London for Lyon.
It is now somewhat clear (not really) that Mourinho was keen on bringing Tiago back to Stamford Bridge this summer, perhaps…as a replacement for Frank Lampard, who has since joined Manchester City on loan from New York City F.C.
“The summer was very difficult,” admitted Tiago.
“I want to explain to the fans what happened but there are some things I cannot explain because they are not important.
“At the end of last season, I received a great offer [from Chelsea] and it made me think about making a change.
“But I realised that the most important thing was to feel important at a club.
“I spoke to Cholo [Diego Simeone] and he told me he wanted me in the squad in the next training session.
“From then, I could only think of rejoining Atletico and wearing this shirt again.
“I am happy and grateful to everyone and to the club for having me back. I will give everything on the pitch to return their efforts.”
At the end of the day, Tiago made the right decision in staying put at the Estadio Vicente Calderón.
Had he gone to Chelsea, he would have surely spent nearly the entirety of the campaign on the bench, with Cesc Fabregas and Nemanja Matic set to feature in most of the Blues’ Premier League fixtures in 2014/15.
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