- Title: BRAZIL: SOCCER: Ronaldo set to show he's back in the game
- Date: 13th December 2008
- Summary: SAO PAULO, BRAZIL (DECEMBER 12, 2008) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF CORINTHIANS CLUB'S HEADQUARTERS CLOSE OF CORINTHIANS LOGO IN FRONT OF CLUB MAN SELLING CORINTHIAN FLAGS ON THE STREET
- Embargoed: 28th December 2008 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Brazil
- Country: Brazil
- Topics: Sports
- Reuters ID: LVA97WP32GP1HFQP2TK7SKGZN4A0
- Story Text: Brazilian striker Ronaldo officially joins Sao Paulo's club Corinthians and vows to do his best on and off the field.
Brazilian striker Ronaldo was welcomed on Friday (December 12) by thousands of enthusiastic Corinthians fans in Sao Paulo and vowed to do his best on the pitch.
The lively ceremony at the Parque Sao Jorge stadium confirmed his joining the club after months of speculation of where, or if, he would play again.
The 32-year-old player, who has recovered from a serious knee injury he sustained in February at AC Milan, preferred not to make any forecasts of when he may actually start playing.
Even before the injury, Ronaldo had been struggling for fitness and form and had not played for Brazil since his much criticised performance at the 2006 World Cup.
In a news conference, the three-time FIFA player of the year said that his quick recovery from two knee injuries allowed him to regain strength to play.
"We never know how our body will react. Thank God, in both occasions (referring to knee injuries) I had an excellent recovery. The tendon, thank God, healed entirely in six months and this makes it easier to continue working on making it stronger," he told reporters.
Ronaldo, who has scored a record 15 goals in three World Cups, pledged to live up to his responsibilities in the club.
"It's a very important jersey and I will carry a huge responsibility. I'm sure that I will be the most demanded during training, I'm sure I will be the most demanded in the games and I will not run away from this responsibility. I will honor Corinthians' jersey from the beginning until the end," he said.
Ronaldo received a warm welcome by Corinthians fans, who cried out his name and threw black and white streamers over the soccer star.
He signed a one-year deal with the Sao Paulo-based club this week with a one-year option. It included a clause allowing him to cancel it at any time.
Ronaldo has denied that he was using his new club as a springboard for a return to Europe, but said the popular team could help revive his career. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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