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Ronaldo shows big belly, little pace getting in shape for return to Corinthians
By The Associated Press (CP)
SAO PAULO — Ronaldo, sporting a large belly and little pace, acknowledged Friday he is overweight and out of shape as he tries to return to Corinthians after a thigh injury sidelined him for three months.
The 33-year Ronaldo, a three-time FIFA Player of the Year, said on Twitter that he could be in shape to play in 15 days.
Ronaldo trained on Thursday against a Corinthians youth team and showed few of the skills that made him one of the world's top players at the height of his career at Barcelona, Inter Milan, and Real Madrid.
Corinthians play Sunday against Avai, and Ronaldo will be on the bench.
"Ronaldo won't play," coach Adilson Batista said. "He's a long way from what's needed to get through the game. He hasn't played in three months so we have to be careful. Unhappily, he's not ready for 45 minutes."
Ronaldo has been plagued by several knee injuries and has battled weight problems for much of his career. Despite the setbacks, he has had a lengthy career. He was a member of Brazil's winning 1994 World Cup team but did not play. He featured in 1998, 2002 and 2006, leading Brazil to the title in 2002 in Japan.
By The Associated Press (CP)
SAO PAULO — Ronaldo, sporting a large belly and little pace, acknowledged Friday he is overweight and out of shape as he tries to return to Corinthians after a thigh injury sidelined him for three months.
The 33-year Ronaldo, a three-time FIFA Player of the Year, said on Twitter that he could be in shape to play in 15 days.
Ronaldo trained on Thursday against a Corinthians youth team and showed few of the skills that made him one of the world's top players at the height of his career at Barcelona, Inter Milan, and Real Madrid.
Corinthians play Sunday against Avai, and Ronaldo will be on the bench.
"Ronaldo won't play," coach Adilson Batista said. "He's a long way from what's needed to get through the game. He hasn't played in three months so we have to be careful. Unhappily, he's not ready for 45 minutes."
Ronaldo has been plagued by several knee injuries and has battled weight problems for much of his career. Despite the setbacks, he has had a lengthy career. He was a member of Brazil's winning 1994 World Cup team but did not play. He featured in 1998, 2002 and 2006, leading Brazil to the title in 2002 in Japan.