The former undisputed greatest player on the planet has left European top-flight football – after ten glory-filled years on the continent – for Brazillian club Flamengo.

The club confirmed the deal with Ronaldinho’s former employers AC Milan earlier today, and he will be playing for them until 2014.

Those headless chickens currently running Blackburn Rovers thought they had a chance of luring Ronny to Ewood Park, but that just showed how clueless they are when it comes to football. There was no way Ronaldinho would’ve ended up there.

Another interesting option for the player was to accept an offer from Corinthians, where he would be re-united with fellow Brazillian legends Ronaldo and Roberto Carlos, but he rejected that along with an offer from his hometown club Gremio.

In any case, it’s a bit of a pre-mature departure from Europe for the player who once bamboozled everyone with his unimitable skill and flair, because at 30, he could very easily have been still operating somewhere near his dazzling peak.

Ronaldinho at hs best, after winning the 2006 Champions League, where Barcelona beat Arsenal in the final.

As a Manchester United fan, for example, I wouldn’t mind having him in our squad to be honest. He’d give the whole dresssing room a lift, and the fans would absolutely love it. I thought he was brilliant when he played United in the Champions League last season.

And if we can accomodate players like Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Michael Owen in the team, why not Ronaldinho? He’d provide great cover in the attacking department. United can’t just rely on Nani and Giggs all season for creativity from midfield.

On the other hand, his fitness might have been an issue. But for a player of his skill and vision, he could easily have evolved to a more economical playing style, like Giggs has.

What do you guys think? Would you have Ronaldinho in your team?