On a certain Ronaldinho at a certain FC Barcelona

A few days prior to the 2006 Germany World Cup, everyone was going gaga about how the wonky teethed, forever grinning Brazilian could just script himself as the best footballer ever, but now there is a distinct, even if remote possibility that he might just have blown it all. Even if he has earned his ticket to the FC Barcelona first team bus after a longer-than-usual stint on the sidelines for reasons other than footballing howsoever hard the Barca spokespersons might try to eclipse the fact, even if he has scored 3 goals in his last four matches, even if he gave a man-of-the-match display against Glasgow Rangers at home in the UEFA Champions League, even if he is only 27, even if he still retains the vintage class and caliber, there's little doubt that Ronaldinho is fast losing the plot to make a U-turn and revive the glory days of his first three years at FC Barcelona.

And the funny thing is that the Camp Nou cathedral is, reportedly, feeling happy about it all. When Samuel Eto'o says " the Ronaldinho that dribbles past nine players was four years ago," there's a weak shrug and a resigning echo from the Barca Boardroom sprinkled in of course with the wonted but vain tall talks of optimism. Indeed it's hard for anyone to conjure up the image of the Barca men-in-suits smiling and sharing a drink at the dismissal of Ronaldinho from the party to we-don't-care-where. Yet if inside information so uncannily leaked to the press is to be believed (which is, frankly, not always an easy thing to do), then Barca won't even exhibit a false pretence to pull out the handkerchief from the pocket and dab at the corners of the eyes. Instead, they would heave a sigh of relief, wave a customary goodbye with a thank-you-and-best-of-luck message and carry on.

If it's hard to suck in the harsh truth that the love affair between Ronaldinho and Barcelona have taken a sour turn, then it's harder to digest that Barca could indeed afford to call it quit. Last season, Ronaldinho was the only player out of the Messi-Eto'o-Rono triumvirate to have played throughout the season and even tucked in 21 league goals, an incredible feat for someone who is an attacking midfielder and not a striker. Yet the Brazilian ace was not Barca's best; Andres Iniesta and to some extent Messi were. Last season for the first time in three seasons, Joan Laporta failed to celebrate a silverware catwalk (Spain's Charity Shield and the Copa Catalunya can hardly be reasons for mass celebration). Last season, the conviction that Ronaldinho's form won't necessarily impress upon the performance of Barcelona surfaced for the first time. And has gained in strength and support this season.

As much preposterous it may appear to suggest that Barca can afford to see the back of the Brazilian, it is equally true that Barca no longer have to rely on Ronaldinho for midfield spark and inspiration. To underplay Ronaldinho's contribution to the Camp Nou party would be to decimate his undeniable quality but in the wake of the stupendous rise of one Lionel Messi---who has proved consistently over the last two years that he can be both an enthralling player and humble person---Barca could just dispose themselves of someone who has of late been hitting the headlines for the wrong reasons.