Brazilian striker Ronaldo’s football career is on the edge after the 31-year old AC Milan player suffered a serious injury on his left knee and his Italian employers fear that it could force the palyer into an unfortunate early retirement from the game. Nicknamed the ‘Phenomenon’ for his unprecedented talent, Ronaldo suffered the latest setback when he fell down heavily on the field during Wednesday’s 1-1 home draw with Livorno.
The three-time World Player of the Year has a bad history with his knees. Playing for AC Milan’s city rivals Inter, the former PSV Eindhoven, Barcelona and Real Madrid player sustained two injuries to his right knee in 1999 and 2000 but recovered in time to guide Brazil to a record fifth World Cup win in Japan and Korea in 2002. But that was six years ago and time would tell whether Ronaldo’s immense physical and mental determination could again see him through at this particularly difficult moment. AC Milan’s club owner Silvio Berlusconi has however revealed that Ronaldo is not sure about a successful recovery this time around.
In an interview with Italy’s RAI TV, the former Italian Prime Minister and business tycoon Berlusconi said,
Ronaldo has hardly played for Milan this season since joining from Real Madrid in January 2007 due to various injury-related problems and replaced Alberto Gilardino in the game against Livorno just three minutes before being carried off in tears.He(Ronaldo)fears for his career. I called him last evening and told him to believe in himself. He has enormous physical potential. As a 31-year old, he’s very young. He has an extraordinary physique, and I think within a few months he could return to being the champion that we all know him as.
Although the kneecap injury is a serious one, Ronaldo is being treated in Paris by the same doctor who treated him in 2000 for his troubled right knee. Surgeon Gerard Saillant oversaw the two-hour operation in France to repair the ruptured kneecap ligament. The injury itself sidelines Ronaldo for a minimum of nine months and the world hopes that one of God’s greatest gifts to the game of football would be able to continue his glittering career even after this serious injury. One thing is for sure, to get Ronaldo fit and running again the great Italian club AC Milan would always be at his side providing all the support he needs at this testing moment.
Source Link: BBC
Comments
he was already on the decline. he has not remained the player he once was.
He is one of the greatest footballers of the time. I just love watching him playing on ground.
i thought he was a bald head