“I chose Mexico for the affection I have always received there. I am very motivated to represent Queretaro,” the 34-year-old tweeted.
Chennai had made concerted efforts to acquire the services of the Brazilian, even meeting his representatives in Rome, where an offer was made.
According to sources, talks fell through largely due to a disagreement in the financial terms of the contract. According to sources, Chennai offered the Brazil legend $1,25,000 (approximately Rs 75 lakh) a week, which would have taken his earning to Rs 12 crore if a four-month contract had been negotiated. Besides, there was also a signing fee and a percentage of income from sponsors after his arrival. Most marquee players in the ISL - the likes of Robert Pires, David Trezeguet, Freddie Ljungberg - have all signed for Rs 4.5 core while Alessandro Del Piero has been given approximately Rs 9 crore for a season’s contract.
Some of the world’s best footballers like Ronaldo, Messi, Neymar, Ibrahimovic and Falcao all earn between Rs 2.25 crore to Rs 2.85 crore a week.
“Ronaldinho would have been a dream signing. Life is all about winning and losing. We lost here but I am confident that ultimately we will win,” said Prashant Agarwal, CEO of Kshatriya Sports, technical partners of Chennai franchise.
It is learnt that Ronaldinho’s agent, Roberto de Assis Moreira, called up the Chennai team representatives to inform about the player’s decision. “He wanted to be close to Brazil and its lifestyle. He feels that he has more following there and a league which was already running. They didn’t know much about Indian football before the club approached them,” said a source.
With the two-time former Fifa Player of the Year not signing for Chennai, the promoters are now looking at other options. One of them is Italian World Cup winner Marco Materazzi, who was head-butted by French legend Zinedine Zidane during the 2006 final. “Materazzi might sign up as a player-manager for the club just like David James for Kerala Blasters,” said the source.
Nicolas Anelka could also be a possible replacement. The Frenchman is close to a deal with Mumbai City FC but Chennai may come into the picture at the last moment. “While Anelka is considering Mumbai’s offer, he has not yet closed the deal.
Now that the Ronaldinho talks have fallen through, Anelka could be a good buy,” the source said, adding that “another Arsenal player” is also in the fray.
A few other names like Spanish legend Raul Gonzalez, former Juventus striker Vincenzo Laquinta and former World Cup winning Italian captain Fabio Cannavaro are also being discussed, but a final decision is yet been taken.
Source: Nagaland Post
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