  We consider inflaton couplings to MSSM flat directions and the thermalization
of the inflaton decay products, taking into account gauge symmetry breaking due
to flat direction condensates. We then search for a suitable curvaton candidate
among the flat directions, requiring an early thermally induced start for the
flat direction oscillations to facilitate the necessary curvaton energy density
dominance. We demonstrate that the supersymmetry breaking $A$-term is crucial
for achieving a successful curvaton scenario. Among the many possible
candidates, we identify the ${\bf u_1dd}$ flat direction as a viable MSSM
curvaton.
