Ronaldinho Will Not Leave AC Milan for USA Despite Lack of Playing Time

AC Milan forward Ronaldinho has told Gazetta dello Sport that he has no intentions of leaving the Serie A leaders anytime soon.

With his playing time severely decreased and a halt in contract talks, it seemed apparent that the star forward would be leaving the club to join Los Angeles Galaxy of Major League Soccer in the United States.

His brother and agent, Roberto de Assis, recently reiterated the position of his brother.

"My brother will not make rushed choices, he is fine at Milan and he has the energy to go far with the club," de Assis told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"Ronaldinho's priority is Milan and he has no intention to leave."

The Brazilian, despite getting a recall to the national team for Wednesday's match against Argentina, has not featured in Serie A since October 16, when he recorded an assist in Milan's 3-1 win. He was on the bench for the last three matches against Bari, Palermo and Inter Milan, but Max Allegri was able to get the most out of his club he has all season.

The two-time World Player of the Year is not the only star to be conceded to the bench. Andrea Pirlo was also a substitute against Bari and Inter, but was brought on in both matches.

Allegri, in his first year at the helm of the Rossoneri, has taken criticism all season for his unusual starting lineups and his apparent cowardice at putting stars on the bench.

In the last few matches, Milan have been most successful with Pato—or Robinho when Pato got injured—playing alongside Zlatan Ibrahimovic on the attack with Clarence Seedorf behind in the trequartista role. The midfield is best when Kevin-Prince Boateng plays on either side of Massimo Ambrosini, who has been excellent upon his return from injury.

Milan's strong play has seen them win seven of their last eight Serie A matches, the only stain on that run being a 2-1 loss to feisty Juventus.

With Milan's incredible 10-man 1-0 victory over Inter in the Milan Derby on Sunday, the Rossoneri retain first place in Serie A, which they reached on Wednesday with a win over Palermo.

Milan have 26 points, with Lazio a point behind. Many argue that their biggest opponent for the Scudetto are Inter, who sit in fifth just six points off the pace.

Allegri's men are now favorites to win the Scudetto for the first time since the 2003-04 campaign.

With Milan's fantastic play of late in mind, Ronaldinho is not about to leave the club, though he would like to be playing more.

"You cannot be happy when you don't play an important game like the derby," he told La Gazzetta dello Sport. "But I look at the table and I am happy. We have everything to win the Scudetto.

"My future? I have no intention to leave Milan. This club will give me the push to play in World Cup 2014 for Brazil.

"Take my name off the transfer market. I am very happy at Milan."

Ronaldinho has aspirations of playing in one last World Cup, in his native Brazil for the Selecao. The forward and his fans throughout the world were shocked when Dunga left him off the World Cup squad.

The 30-year-old is back in the mix, though. Dunga has since been fired and new boss Mano Menezes has been quite successful so far, recording wins against the United States, Iran and the Ukraine. He has mostly been calling upon very young players with little to no experience at the national team level.

Fellow Rossoneri stars Robinho and Pato as well as Barcelona's Dani Alves have been the experienced leaders of the squad since Menezes took over. However, the former Corinthians boss is giving Ronaldinho a second chance.

"Ronaldinho is in a good moment for the position we need," Menezes told the press. "Experienced, he will bring value to the Selecao. It's a position we need to improve and I've already talked about this. He can add something."

With Ronaldinho saying that he believes Milan can help his push to Brazil 2014, it sounds apparent that there will be renewed contract talks between the club and his brother/agent. Whether it is before or after the winter break, Milan fans should expect a contract to be settled in the coming future.

Los Angeles and Major League Soccer have been keen on signing the superstar for quite some time. An offer was reportedly issued as early as when Ronaldinho was known to be leaving Barcelona. He then joined AC Milan.

MLS recently brought in two former Barcelona stars. Both Thierry Henry and Rafa Marquez joined New York Red Bulls in July.

Bruce Arena would love to be able to fill out a lineup card which included a big four of Ronaldinho, Edson Buddle, former Milan loaner David Beckham and Landon Donovan, but that now seems unlikely.

With Pippo Inzaghi out for the season and Pato unavailable until January, Ronaldinho remaining with the club is very important. They keep an excellent talent in the attack and can focus their funds on other necessary positional moves—Milan's most pressing need is a fullback.

So whether you approve or not, Ronaldinho seems set to stay at the San Siro for the near and potentially distant future.