/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46161366/GettyImages-487130067.0.jpg)
Ronaldinho has a reputation for being somewhat fond of the party life, but if you want to see how quickly he can get down to business - threaten his livelihood.
On April 15, Extra, a Brazilian news outlet specializing in stories involving people wearing swimsuits (also, in fairness, crime and other matters), reported 'Dinho was organizing a retirement party for himself, to be held on his return to Brazil at the end of the current Liga MX season. And Ronaldinho arranged a press conference to counter the rumor before the week was out.
As reported by Goal.com, 'Dinho was quite clear about his near-term plans for his career:
"First of all, I had to tell you that the rumour about my retirement is not true. I'm so happy at the moment and the idea of quitting is not in my thoughts."
Over at ESPN FC, the report of Ronaldinho's not-retiring announcement also carried words from Joaquin Beltran, president of Queretaro, present employer of the rarely-boring Brazilian soccer star:
"(Ronaldinho) feels good, he is at his best and we intend him to stay throughout his contract."
Currently, Queretaro is on the edge of the playoff positions in the Liga MX Clausura table, very much in the mix for the post-season. Ronaldinho's last start for his current club was on April 10, in Queretaro's 2-1 home win over Tijuana.There was some evidence of the best-level 'Dinho referenced by Beltran:
He was on the bench for the team's next game, on the road against America. When that game started, 'Dinho had 17 appearances and three goals in Liga MX. When it ended, he had added two more to his career total for Queretaro, in less than 10 minutes on the pitch.
And his contract is expected to run to 2016, which means New York Red Bulls fans can set aside any fears that we will never again hear rumors linking Ronaldinho to RBNY. He's not retiring. And rumors about his career plans won't retire until he does.