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Ronaldo, Bebeto,
Dunga, Rivaldo
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Ten Best: Failed Brazilian rumors
January 9, 2012
While Metro had a Brazilian World Cup winning coach, Carlos Alberto Parreira, and a Brazilian World Cup winning player, Branco, the names of other Brazilians who graced the team are not exactly of that caliber (we're holding out hope for Danilo da Silva, who is currently playing for Dynamo Kyiv). Of course, that hasn't stopped Brazilian superstars from being linked to Metro...
10) Neymar
When he showed up at a Metro-LA playoff game last year, wearing a RBNY scarf, some thought it was a sign of things to come. Wrong! Neymar is a Red Bull athlete, and was flown in by the mothership, not even staying for the second half.
9) Aldair
Unfortunately, we can't pinpoint the exact time of the rumor, but it most likely came during Parreira's time in 1997. Aldair, another 1994 World Cup winner, spent over a decade at Roma, so this happened in the middle of that stint. He wrapped up his career well into his 40s... playing in (where else!) San Marino league.
8) Edmundo
The psychopathic striker attacked three players on the opposite team's bench, killed three people while drunk driving, and got a chimp drunk. Brazilian press linked him to Metro in 2007. Area chimps were immediately put on alert.
7) Romario
FIFA Player of the Year, World Cup winner, supposed Metro target in 2006 after Red Bull took over. Romario did come to the US... but to minor-league Miami FC.
6) Rivaldo
FIFA Player of the Year, World Cup winner, supposed Metro target in 2007 when ESPN Deportes reported that he agreed to a deal. Soccer America chimed in: "a source says that New York has used its second Designated Player slot, supposedly for Rivaldo". Nope.
5) Dunga
There were two names we constantly heard during Parreira's loan year in charge of Metro. Branco and fellow World Cup winner, Dunga. The defensive midfielder was playing in Japan and decided to stay there. He later coached Brazil, replacing (who else!) Parreira.
4) Ze Roberto
A constant rumor during the 2010, when the German-based midfielder was linked by the German press. Bild said that RBNY had a three year, $15 million offer on the table, which included a position as "Red Bull ambassador". He deiced to stay with Hamburg, before moving last year for a cash grab in Qatar.
3) Bebeto
Romario's attack partner during the 1994 title run, his name first popped up during Parreira's 1997. It was heard even louder in 1999, when Bebeto's agent was quoted, "I am negotiating with a MetroStars representative and he may join them in July". He obviously didn't.
2) Giovane Elber
How is this for a scenario; after the MetroStars signed Lothar Matthaus, it was reported that Bayern Munich wanted to keep him, and offered Giovane Elber instead (the Metros rejected). At that point, Elber was one of the best strikers of the Bundesliga, if not Europe. His name also crept up during the 2004/05 off-season.
1) Ronaldo
FIFA Player of the Year, World Cup winner, World Cup leading scorer of all time, one of the greatest players of all time, telenovela actor, lover of (transvestite?) prostitutes, fat man. Sigh. MetroFanatic broke the rumor back in 2006, and it was then confirmed by multiple sources. The Associated Press went as far as saying RBNY gave Ronaldo a 10 year, $120 million offer, which was quickly denied by the club.
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