Ronaldo to join the Fire

By: Tom | April 11th, 2007

That’s Ronaldo Viano, of course, not either of the two Ronaldos you’ve actually heard of. He’s a Brazilian midfielder who has been playing in Trindidad for seven years and is now on trial with the Fire.

According to this Trinidadian site, Ronaldo sees the Fire as a step-up in his career from Vibe CT 105 W Connection:

Although the 28-year-old player is rooted as a W Connection player he is committed to his quest of reaching a higher standard. The MLS is getting better; they have signed on very big international stars like David Beckham, Blanco, Bellamy and others. Chicago Fire is also a very good Club with some big named players and I would try to give my best.”
“I am never satisfied as a player. I always want something more and to play in Europe and in the Champions League is my goal. So I am looking to use the exposure in the US as another stepping stone,” added the soft-spoken Ronaldo Viana.

I hate to be the one to break it to Ronaldo, but if he’s 28 and is still only on trial with an MLS club, his chances of playing in the Champions League are about as likely to come true as my long-held goal to captain England in a World Cup final. But a man must dream.

I was also somewhat confused by the Bellamy comment, so I watched this interview with Ronaldo on the T&T league website from which the quotes were drawn. He is certainly mightily confused about MLS and the Fire, but he’s actually under the impression that Zidane (not Bellamy) has signed on with the league and that the Fire still have Beasley. Seems like a good chap, though, and it can’t hurt to give a Brazilian midfielder a shot.

I also hope this isn’t him getting stamped on in W-Connection’s very odd web banner.
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