article_snippet: The graceful Brazilian midfielder once of Sao Paulo, AC Milan and Real Madrid has become used to such fevered adulation over the years.
article_snippet: A glittering decade playing in Europe brought Champions Leagues, Scudettos,La Liga titles and, of course, a devoted following.
article_snippet: But it wasn't the loyal apostles of Madrid's Ultras Sur, the Curva Sud Milano or even his compatriots in the unmistakeable yellow of A Selecao with whom his won a World Cup in 2002 that provided the heroes welcome in question.
article_snippet: But interest was high that a former Ballon d'Or winner would be coming to play former Ballon d'Or football in a place more commonly associated with Disney World and Universal Studios.
article_snippet: Such frenzied devotion in the U.S., so long resistant to the charms of the world's most popular sport, may seem strange to fans in Europe and South America, football's historical and cultural heartlands.
article_snippet: Moves to LA Galaxy and New York Red Bulls were mooted in the interim but never materialized for various reasons.
article_snippet: a man points to other high-profile players like Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, David Villa and Sebastian Giovinco being attracted to the league as proof of the league appeal and progress.
article_snippet: There's a lot of good players that could have another team in Europe but they chose to come here.
article_snippet: Unsurprisingly, the former FIFA World Player of the Year doesn't see it that we way.
article_snippet: A lot of players play outside (of Brazil).
article_snippet: Most of A lot of players play in Europe, but us have to change something organization in the soccer in Brazil.