Ronaldo thread

Originally Posted by Oliver_Kahn

Could had been the greatest of all time

When it comes to talent and ability only Maradona can touch him in my opinion.

Medics: Ronnie will return Thursday 14 February, 2008

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The future may look bleak for Ronaldo, but there is optimism amongst medical experts and Milan President Silvio Berlusconi is confident of a return.

The former Real Madrid hitman flew to Paris at 9am this morning to receive surgery on a severed tendon in his knee amongst fears that his career is over.

Accompanied by compatriot and Milan official Leonardo, club medic Massimiliano Sala and fiancée Maria Beatriz, Ronnie was applauded by a group of fans as he left hospital.

“Ronaldo himself asked to be operated on by the same team in Paris who reconstructed his right knee eight years ago,” club doctor Pierre Meeserman explained.

“The procedure was excellent eight years ago and surgical technology has only improved.”

“If things go according to plan he can return to being a great player, but it is hard to put a time scale on that,” respected sports doctor Walter Pascale commented.

While the nation’s Press have prepared obituaries to Ronaldo’s career, Pietro Volpi – Inter doctor between 1995 and 2000 – thinks it is premature to bid farewell to Il Fenomeno.

“It is a very serious injury, but it can be repaired and technology has made huge steps in recent times,” he told Sky Tg24.

“A recovery will probably take between eight and 10 months, but I wouldn’t be so pessimistic about Ronaldo’s future.

“The real problem is that he is eight years older than he was in 2000 and that makes it harder to get to peak condition in sport.”

Rossoneri President Silvio Berlusconi, a committed admirer of the three-time FIFA World Player of the Year – is determined that Ronnie can quickly make a full recovery.

“I spoke to him on the telephone last night and I told him to believe in himself as he has such a great physical capability,” he said on Unomattina.

“At 31-years-old he is still young and I think that he can return in a number of months to being the champion of old. Everyone in the sporting community hopes that is the case.”

channel4.com - Football Italia

[Podolski]

so sad

TalkSoccer Media Player

[Jager]

Originally Posted by Joel

When it comes to talent and ability only Maradona can tough him in my opinion.

I have to admit, and he played for my club, I don't see this. However I know your a fan of his, so I will leave it at that.

For me, Batigol was better than Ronaldo, but that is me.

[sinoy1]

I dont know about that.Ronaldo in his prime...insane.He had all the technique in the world.Greatest striker in his generation I believe.Sad to see him go out like this.I dont think he can comeback to be honest.If he does all the best to him.

Galliani stands by Ronnie Thursday 14 February, 2008

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Ronaldo has undergone surgery on his damaged knee in Paris and Milan Vice-President Adriano Galliani has pledged to support the injured star.

El Fenomeno suffered a sickening injury at San Siro last night when he landed awkwardly and severed a tendon in his knee.

While there are fears that the 31-year-old’s career is over, he has been operated on by the same doctor that repaired his other knee in 2000 and there is hope he could return to action within a year.

“I spoke to Ronaldo just before he left for Paris and gave him all our best wishes and reminded him that Milan will be right behind him,” Galliani revealed.

“I think that cheered him up as he seemed a lot less down today.”

Ronaldo’s contract expires in the summer, but the Selecao star had hoped to earn a new one this term. That won’t happen now, but it seems unlikely that the Diavolo will abandon him.

“When you are talking about medical issues I can’t give any predictions and I don’t know how long a recovery will take, but we will be there for him,” Galliani insisted.

“There is great affection from President Silvio Berlusconi and myself towards Ronnie. It was a tragic thing to happen, but now we need to deal with it in the best way possible.

We don’t want such a sad image to be the last we see of Ronaldo on a football pitch. The hope is that he will wear the Milan shirt again as he is perhaps the best player Brazil has produced after Pelè.”

channel4.com - Football Italia

[G-R87]

I think he will come back.

[cerebral_assassin]

I'm so gutted by this, man i cant describe it.....

Ronaldo coming back to serie a was like a dream for me, i grew up watching ronaldo beat defenders at will, scoring goals of beauty and class, tearing up the leagues he played in....

Then when he transferred 2 inter, i fell in love, even though i was young, serie a quickly had a place in my heart following my hero... such were the days.

I remember vividly on that day in 2002, when inter lost that last game to lazio 4-2, it was heart wrenching, u could've seen ronaldo crying, it broke my heart.... fuck it....

Then after the world cup, thats when i felt betrayed, going to madrid, i ousted ronaldo from my heart, i couldnt support him anymore, after inter stayed with him 4 sooo long through his injuries, it just wasnt the same inter without ronnie....

Then alas, ronnie came back to milan, this time to the red and black side, with legends like maldini n pirlo on the team, its too surreal to rly believe, this was the highlight of this yr's serie a's season for me.

Tragedy has struck again, this reminds me of the old inter days, so reminiscent, i just cant believe it, im just too gutted.....

I really hope he can recover n give at least 2 great seasons to milan b4 he decides 2 call it a day...

[skeeta]

It is obviously very early, but it is hard not to think that this will mark the formal end of his career at the top level of international football.

Somewhat ironically, it seemed as if he only finally "got" the training thing this season, with all reports indicating that he was more dedicated to recovering this time than ever before. One is tempted to think that he realized that it was his last chance, and he tried to take it with both hands.

A genuinely remarkable player in his prime.

[Dragoen]

It would be really shocking if the doping rumours are true and the PSV ruined his carrer very early.

[Aladino]

Milan have added a feature on their webiste where fans can write in and wish Ronaldo well. It has been a huge success so far, and I wish Ronie well. A loss to football....

Here is the link;
A.C. Milan - Tutti con Ronie!

I feel really bad for his injury, this is not what I expected at all.

The only question remaisn is what will Milan do? do they take the risk and extend his contract while his knee is broken or do they wait until his contract is expired and see hwat happens?

I don't think Ronie should risk it again after what happened in 2000. But best of luck to Ronie. I hope all goes well for him.

Originally Posted by Dragoen

It would be really shocking if the doping rumours are true and the PSV ruined his carrer very early.

Not doping, just protein supplements.

PSV built him up too quickly to the point where the tendons and ligaments in his knees couldn't take the pressure of the extra muscle and weight.

Ron surgery successful Friday 15 February, 2008

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Ronaldo’s knee operation yesterday evening was a success as messages of support continue to pour in from the world of calcio.

Milan’s striking star severed a tendon in his knee during Wednesday night’s game against Livorno at San Siro and there are fears that his career may be over.

El Fenomeno turned to the same medical team that restructured his other knee in 2000. The surgery took place in Paris’ Pitie-Salpetriere Hospital where Ronnie is staying in the same room as he did eight years ago.

“It went well,” Gerard Saillant, the doctor who performed the surgery in 2000 explained having supervised colleague Eric Rolland during the procedure.

“The operation took close to two hours and there were no complications.

“Now Ronaldo must rehabilitate the knee and that will take around nine months. Whether he will play again depends on him.”

News of the injury has prompted tributes from all over the peninsula and Empoli Coach Alberto Malesani is the latest man to offer his best wishes.

“It’s such a shame,” he said. “I really hope that he can come back, even if it will be very difficult.

“I believe that after Diego Maradona he is the best player of the last 30 years, so I am devastated that he has been hit by another bad injury.

“It’s such horrible news because he is a great lad as well as a pleasure to watch.

“Unfortunately he has had too many of these accidents in his career and now he will have to fight doubly as hard as he did with his other knee.

“He would be a big loss to the world of football and I hope for the good of calcio that he returns,” the former Panathinaikos man concluded.

channel4.com - Football Italia