Ronaldo

Sao Paulo: Ronaldo approaches the 2006 World Cup in one of the worst slumps of his career. Fans have been jeering him and commentators have been criticising him. Even the great Pele has hit out at him. But as far as Ronaldo is concerned, everything is just fine.

“I’ve been faced with tough challenges my entire career,” he said. “But now I know that I’m strong enough to overcome them. I’m certain that I’ll be well prepared for the World Cup.”

Ronaldo was going through a similar slump before the 2002 World Cup because of a serious knee injury that nearly ended his career. Many doubted he would play at a high level again, but he recovered quite nicely ? as the key player in Brazil’s run to win a fifth title in Japan and South Korea.

Four years later, as Brazil goes for their second consecutive championship, Ronaldo is dealing with the same type of criticism.The striker has become an easy target after an injury-plagued season in which he scored only five goals in Real Madrid’s first 19 matches.

Former France star Michel Platini recently said Ronaldo “has too many years” and is “carrying too many kilos.” Pele suggested Ronaldo’s career was being affected by off-field problems, including a divorce last year barely three months after being married to a Brazilian model and television hostess.

The 29-year-old was struck hard by the criticism ? to the point of calling Pele a “cheap opportunist” and considering leaving Real Madrid ? but he insisted it would not affect his play in Germany. “The World Cup is my greatest motivation,” Ronaldo said. “I’m not going to worry about what the critics are talking about me, I don’t need that.”

Ronaldo isn’t the only one thinking he can rebound in the 2006 tournament. Some of those supporting the strikerinclude former star players Romario and Diego Maradona, and even Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

“Ronaldo is one of the best players in the world and doesn’t need to prove anything to anybody,” said his teammate Ronaldinho.

Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira is another unconditional backer of Ronaldo. “Ronaldo still is one of the greatest strikers in the world,” he said recently. “He will be ready to play in the World Cup.”

Most Brazilian fans remain behind Ronaldo, as well. And there’s plenty of reason for that, because Ronaldo’s numbers with Brazil are more than impressive:

• In 97 matches with Ronaldo on the field, Brazil have lost only eight times.
  
• He is the nation’s greatest scorer in World Cups with 12 goals, tied with Pele.
• Three goals in Germany would make Ronaldo the tournament’s leading scorer. He has two goals less than Gerd Muller of Germany and one less than Just Fontaine of France.
• Ronaldo also could equal Pele’s feat as a three-time World Cup winner. Despite being only 17, he was a member of Brazil’s team that, led by Romario, won the 1994 World Cup in the US.

Ronaldo’s latest injury isn’t nearly as serious. A muscle ailment during Spanish league play kept him sidelined for most of April. But Parreira already has guaranteed his spot on the roster for Germany.

Ronaldo’s place in the starting line-up is not as secure, however. He faces strong competition from several countrymen, including Adriano and Robinho. “I just want Brazil to win the title,” Ronaldo said. “Everything else doesn’t matter as much.”

(AP)