Adriano and Ronaldo - a career jumpstart back in Brazil
Posted by Gringo Maclure in Brasil Serie A, Brazil, Ronaldo, World Cup | 1 May 2009
The general consensus is that all the talent is being sucked out of South America to play in the European leagues. Sometimes, as in the case of Arsenal's Denilson or the Da Silva twins at Manchester United, the youngsters are whisked out before they've barely put in a full 90 minutes for a major club.
Two stories this week, though, suggest that for footballers in their mid to late careers, there's no place like home. Adriano, a troubled soul off the pitch, seems a lot more content back in the country of his birth and Flamengo, one of Rio's biggest clubs are trying to bag him after he declared he would leave Inter Milan.
The most surprising story of re-invention in Brazil comes from Ronaldo, the former world's best player and highest scoring striker at World Cup tournaments. Knee problems have plagued his career, and more recently run in's with transvestites and a waste line that was starting to spill over his footy shorts had some commentators and tabloid editors declaring the end of his glittering career at the age of 32.
However, Ronaldo signed papers with Corinthians a couple of months back and he is starting to hit form. In each game, he seems ever so slightly sharper and less the roley-poley Michelin Man. The Corinthian fans are some of the most fanatical in the country - or even the world - and the return to South America of a fallen hero is a cause for huge celebration (see this video after Ronaldo's first goal for the club against Palmeiras). Almost every touch of the ball he has in any game is unceasingly poured over by sports journalists. A national newspaper ran a story about a Sao Paulo fan who switched allegiances to local rivals Corinthians on account of Ronaldo's return.
Last Sunday, Ronaldo's rehabilitation seemed complete. At the moment, the state championships are in progress, not the national championships. This means that Ronaldo, who spent a decade fighting off the best defenders on the planet when he was back in Europe, has been banging in goals against village teams from the countryside most of the time. However, away to Santos (who are no slouches), and in front of Santos' greatest son - Pele himself - Ronaldo turned on the style and gave an expectant Brazilian public a taste of what he was, and perhaps still is, capable of. He netted two, the last of which was an exquisite lob with his left foot. You can watch brief highlights from the game here. With typical Brazilian over-statement, Ronaldo declared in the post-match press conference that Sunday was the happiest day of his life.
It still remains to be seen what sort of impact Ronaldo could have in the long term. The national championships start in three weeks and it will be interesting to see what the big man can produce against quality opposition week in, week out. Dunga has said the door is still open to Ronaldo for the national team if he proves himself - could we yet see him play in South Africa and even more goals to his World Cup tally? Let's not get ahead of ourselves. Mid-week, Ronaldo had to be substituted after falling and injuring his arm. Coach Mano Menezes quipped: "I don't think its serious. I think he just dislocated a piece of flab!"
Comments
Hey Ronaldo I'm your fan from west Africa Liberia I really miss you from real madri.
je serai ravi de voir de nouveau Ronaldo en equipe nationale. Il peut y arriver s'il continue à progresser et s'il ne se blesse pas de nouveau.
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