Ronaldo is just focused on rehabbing his knee, not what team he may play for in
the future.
In an interview with The Associated Press and SNTV, Ronaldo downplayed recent
comments that he would like to play for Manchester City or Paris Saint Germain.
"I'm fully concerned about my recovery, about making my knee 100 percent," he
said after a lengthy workout session. "I don't know where I'm going to be two
months from now."
The 31-year-old three-time FIFA player of the year ruptured a tendon in his left
knee in a Serie A match in February. He has been without a club since his
contract with AC Milan expired in June, but recently said he would like to play
in England or France.
"We've had some contact with Manchester City -- I'm really interested, they're a
great club," he said, although he declined to specify what type of contact he
has had with the Premier League side.
Earlier this week, City officials said their interest in Ronaldo had faded after
luring Brazilian star Robinho away from Real Madrid, along with the acquisition
of Jo from CSKA Moscow earlier in the offseason.
For the past two weeks, Ronaldo has been training in Rio de Janeiro on the
practice grounds of Flamengo, Brazil's most popular club and the team he cheered
for while growing up.
The former Brazil striker -- who is the all-time World Cup scoring leader -- has
been mocked in the Brazilian press for being overweight after being photographed
during vacation in Ibiza.
In a Friday afternoon practice, he was visibly in better shape -- but admitted
he was still heavier than he would like. While not moving with the agility of a
player fully recovered, Ronaldo was forcefully kicking the ball with both his
right and left legs -- something he has only been able to do in recent days.
Ronaldo said he would "like to return to the national team, if I can," but
declined to comment on the performance of coach Dunga, who has come under
intense pressure for the side's lackluster results in World Cup qualifiers.
After winning so many awards, Ronaldo said his motivation for battling back from
a severe injury was simple.
"After all the sacrifices I've made, I want to end my career on a high note," he
said. "My big motivation is the love I have for football. This entire battle I'm
enduring because of my injury will only be worth it when I return." |
