Ronaldinho can seek return to Brazil, say Milan

Rio De Janiero: Former FIFA world player of the year Ronaldinho has been granted permission to talk to Brazilian teams about a return home, his club AC Milan said on Thursday.

Milan’s vice-president Adriano Galliani told a news conference the Italian side will seek a fee for the 30-year-old forward whose current deal ends in June. “I’d like to make it clear that Milan have not rescinded their contract with Ronaldinho,” said Galliani. “Ronaldinho is going to see which is the best decision for him and he will tell Milan. Milan and Ronaldinho will decide together.” Ronaldinho, who was also at the news conference, has failed to win a regular starting place at Milan this season and said he was keen to return home and play in the Brazilian championships. “I want to return to play the championships in Brazil. I didn’t get the chance to win many leading titles in Brazil and at this stage in my career I wanted to come back to Brazil,” he told reporters at Rio’s Copacabana Palace.“Everything that’s happening is because today (Thursday) I reached an agreement with Milan. I’m free to continue my life here in Brazil.” Ronaldinho’s brother and agent Assis added: “We have a deal with Milan that allows us to talk to Brazilian clubs. Ronaldinho is under contract but we have this freedom. “We have a very important contract (at Milan), all of you know the figures surrounding Ronaldinho (but) we will find a solution and soon we will have a decision.” He added that an announcement would be made on Tuesday or Wednesday. Ronaldinho’s first club Gremio, 2009 champions Flamengo and Palmeiras, managed by former Brazil, Portugal and Chelsea coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, are all interested in signing the forward.A World Cup winner with Brazil in 2002, Ronaldinho also hopes to convince national team coach Mano Menezes that he can be a part of his squad for the finals on home soil in 2014. Ronaldinho, FIFA world player of the year in 2004 and 2005 while at Barcelona, left Gremio in controversial circumstances in 2001 to play for Paris St Germain. There was a wrangle over a fee, with soccer’s world governing body FIFA intervening, and his possible return is seen by Gremio fans as a chance for Ronaldinho to redeem himself. Bureau Report