Ronaldinho: 5 Reasons Fans Want to See Him Play for Brazil at World Cup 2014

Ronaldinho is by far one of the most celebrated players in Brazil's long and illustrious history, having achieved legendary status with the Selecao and Barcelona.

But currently, the playmaker is spending the final few years of his career in his homeland with Atletico Mineiro, where his tricks and flicks are as alive as ever.

After an excellent year with the Galo, guiding them to a second-place finish in the Brasileirao, there were plenty of calls for Ronaldinho to join up with the Selecao for the 2013 Confederations Cup.

But coach Luiz Felipe Scolari left the 33-year-old out of his squad, instead taking a fresh, young attacking lineup to the tournament where they emerged victorious after beating Spain 3-0 in the final.

It seemed, then, that Scolari had no place for the ageing superstar ahead of Brazil 2014, but quotes emerging in the press after the tournament have had tongues wagging.

As Goal.com reports, Felipao suggested that, while he has the majority of his 23-man squad for the World Cup set in stone, there is room for latecomers.

It looks as though Ronaldinho may be given one last chance to earn a place in the Selecao and have his moment in the spotlight in 2014 before bowing out of international football altogether.

Form

The move to Belo Horizonte outfit Atletico Mineiro in June 2013 was a surprise for many but the risk paid off as Ronaldinho underwent a resurgence in form after several barren years.

The 33-year-old was a sensation and this was no more apparent than when his stepfather, Vanderlei, passed away after suffering a heart attack. Despite the bereavement, Ronaldinho still took to the field against Figueirense the next day.

What followed was a crushing 6-0 win, with Ronaldinho rolling the years back by scoring a hat-trick, including a sensational first that echoed his strike against England in the 2002 World Cup.

In the 12th minute, Ronaldinho played a quick one-two with a teammate and curled in a shot with his right foot that evaded the entire defence and nestled beyond the goalkeeper’s reach in the far top corner.

The Brazilian was overcome with tears, dropping to his knees as teammates ran to celebrate with him. Ronaldinho then pointed up towards the sky, acknowledging his stepfather.

Ronaldinho then went on to inspire his club to a second-place finish in the Brasileirao, second only to a relentless Fluminense side featuring former Barcelona teammate Deco and ex-Lyon striker Fred.

The former Barcelona star finished the season with nine goals and 11 assists. As recognition for his performances, he was named Player of the Year and awarded the Bola de Ouro at the 2012 Brasileirao awards ceremony.

Nostalgia

He may be enjoying his retirement in his homeland of Brazil but everyone still remembers the Ronaldinho from his days at Barcelona.

For four glorious years, Ronaldinho stood alone at the top of the world. That brilliant smile, the sideways look before a pass and the vast repertoire of tricks all captured the imaginations of football fans worldwide.

The samba star captured our hearts for a brief but vibrant few years at the core of Frank Rijkaard’s Barcelona that boasted talents such as Deco, Samuel Eto’o and emerging youngster Lionel Messi.

With countless awards and showboating highlight reels of the Brazilian's talents, Ronaldinho was arguably one of the most enjoyable footballers to watch.

Who wouldn't begrudge Ronaldinho one last chance to amaze and delight viewers with barely believable skill and seemingly impossible feats with a football?

Experience

As a member of the all-conquering Brazil side of 2002 featuring the likes of Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Cafu and Roberto Carlos, Ronaldinho is not short of experience at international level.

Ninety-eight caps for Brazil is bettered only by one other active player, Lucio, and demonstrates the wealth of experience that the Atletico Mineiro star can bring to a relatively youthful side.

In contrast, Brazil's current attackers Neymar, Oscar, Bernard, Lucas Moura, Hulk and Jadson all have a combined cap total of 128 caps for the Selecao, just 30 more than Ronaldinho.

But most importantly, he is trusted by Scolari as a veteran of that 2002 World Cup-winning campaign. Felipao knows exactly what the Atletico star can bring to his team.

Considering the relative youth and inexperience of the Brazil squad, Scolari may well decide to bring Ronaldinho along to inject some seniority.

Bernard

Ronaldinho and Bernard have been a devastating partnership at Atletico Mineiro, and it may just be Scolari's plan to reunite the duo for the Selecao.

Bernard has impressed in his first few performances for the national team and looks to be winning the battle against Hulk and Lucas Moura for a place in the first team.

It would make sense, then, if Scolari was to bring Ronaldinho into the squad to help out Bernard along with the other youngsters.

With ESPN reporting a move to FC Porto is on the cards, Bernard is preparing for a breakthrough season in Europe and will aim to secure a first-team berth with Brazil.

Ronaldinho would smooth over that transition with a reminder of just why Atletico Mineiro defied all expectations and finished second in the Brasileirao last season.

Swan Song

For sentimentalists among us, this will be the key reason behind the campaign for Ronaldinho's inclusion in the squad for Brazil 2014.

Ronaldinho has enjoyed a glorious career, laden with individual honours and trophies collected with Barcelona and Brazil.

He may be back home in Brazil looking to add the Brasileirao and the Copa Libertadores to his trophy collection, but that doesn't mean he can't contribute to the Selecao.

A return to the squad for the World Cup would echo that of Zinedine Zidane's decision to bow out of football altogether with France in the 2006 World Cup.

Fans of football would dearly love to see one last swan song with Brazil, one last time on the world stage to impress and delight onlookers before gracefully bowing out of international football.

Without the headbutt, of course.