sport, local-sport,

Brazilian superstar Ronaldinho has declined an offer from the Wollongong Wolves to play in this Wednesday's FFA Cup clash against Sydney FC at WIN Stadium. The Wolves offered a figure close to $100,000 for the former world player of the year, but it wasn't enough to meet the 36-year-old's wage demands which are believed to be more than double the tabled bid. As revealed by the Illawarra Mercury, Wollongong had hoped to secure the hugely-talented attacking midfielder on a one-game contract for their FFA Cup clash. The match was pitched as a chance for Ronaldinho to prove to A-League clubs he was worth the risk as a marquee player for next season. Ronaldinho's agent had been in advanced talks with the Wolves but informed the club on Sunday that their offer didn’t meet his demands. "We gave what we felt was a fair offer but unfortunately he declined," a Wolves spokesperson said. "We would have loved to have him out here and seriously pursued all our commercial avenues to make that possible. With the timing of the Rio Olympics and his commitments over there, unfortunately it didn't get over the line." Ronaldinho’s arrival would have almost certainly sold out the Cup clash at WIN Stadium which shapes as a huge chance for the Illawarra football community to show the region is worthy of an A-League team when expansion occurs. The Brazilian star hasn’t played a competitive match for more than 12 months, but remains a household name around the football community. Meanwhile, the Wolves bid to avoid relegation in 2016 received a massive boost with a crucial away victory against Parramatta on Saturday. Josh MacDonald’s late goal helped Wollongong to a gritty 1-0 win at Sydney United Sports Centre. The former Western Sydney Wanderers attacker’s miss-timed effort deflected off a defender and into the back of the net. The goal provided the Wolves with vital Club Championship points which edges them 21 points clear of Blacktown Spartans. Spartans were defeated across all three grades against Sutherland on Saturday and are now all but assured of being relegated from the top flight. It will provide the Wolves with some relief before their massive Cup game against the Sky Blues. Wolves coach Jacob Timpano remains uncertain who he’ll play in the Cup clash, but said the win over Parramatta had helped some players case to be picked for the game. “I told the boys to focus on that game against Parramatta and if they played well they could cement of a spot for the FFA Cup game on Wednesday night,” he said. “There were a few boys putting their hand up last night which was great to see. “They showed great fighting spirits and were really working for each other out there. “We have definitely played better games but the spirit and fight they showed was outstanding.”

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