BRAZIL: SOCCER - Brazilian football player Ronaldo discusses upcoming South American Qualifying match, his career, and playing with Real Madrid

Record ID: 184237

  • Title: BRAZIL: SOCCER - Brazilian football player Ronaldo discusses upcoming South American Qualifying match, his career, and playing with Real Madrid
  • Date: 8th October 2005
  • Summary: TERESOPOLIS, BRAZIL (OCTOBER 06, 2005) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL) (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) RONALDO, REACTING TO MATCHING-FIXING SCANDAL SAYING: "A mistake made in good faith has to be forgiven but I think that because it was proven, he has to be punished and he has to pay for what he did."
  • Embargoed: 23rd October 2005 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Brazil
  • Country: Brazil
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA8TUGK8UP2PBSJQ0A2AZRXUOYT
  • Story Text: Brazil striker Ronaldo said on Thursday (October 6) that he wants soccer's authorities to listen to the players before adding to an ever growing fixture.
    At present, nobody cares about the consequences of too much football, he said in an interview with Reuters.
    "Our class, soccer players, is the type of class that sadly aren't very united. When a calendar is being worked on, the least important thing is the player's physical condition," he said.
    Ronaldo also defended the multi-million dollar salaries earned by modern-day players, described Argentine and Uruguayan defenders as specialists in provocation, and said he would continue to play for Brazil for as long as he enjoyed it.
    Ronaldo fell victim to fixture congestion problems earlier this year when he landed himself in hot water by asking Brazil to rest him from the Confederations Cup.
    Coach Carlos Alberto Parreira, who had warned that the national team was more important than holidays, eventually agreed -- but also released him from the preceding two World Cup qualifiers, including one away to Argentina.
    Although he did not enjoy being dropped by Brazil, Ronaldo says the incident is water under the bridge as he gears up for his fourth World Cup in Germany next year.
    "The goal in my life was always to play for the team and always to play soccer as long as I could. There really isn't a deadline or a period that will determine when I will stop," he said. "As long as I continue to receive pleasure from playing soccer I will always be available to the Brazilian team."
    After sitting on the bench as a 17-year-old in 1994, failing to meet expectations in 1998 and resurrecting his career from the misery of two knee injuries in 2002, he sees 2006 as what he calls the "confirmation".
    Despite reports that this will be his last World Cup, Ronaldo, who turns 30 next year, has set no date for his international retirement.
    He does not see any Greek-style Euro 2004 upsets next year and is unconcerned about who Brazil may have to face on the way.
    Being paid millions of dollars for kicking a ball around a pitch is something which Ronaldo believes is justified. He also said that teamwork is of the utmost importance.
    "The most important thing in a team is that all the players be aware of the same thing, in Real Madrid or Brazil the team are the most important thing. It isn't obligatory that all the players have to be friends, but on the field, they have to be the best of friends and each one has to help the other fight for victory," he said.
    He added that footballers also tried to make a positive contribution in return.
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