Ronaldo - O Fenomeno

Only saying his name is enough to get many nostalgic Milan fans all teary-eyed. Marco Van Basten, the most beloved striker of the Rossoneri’s recent, and perhaps all-time history, in spite of a career which ended too soon due to a bad injury, paid a visit to Milanello today, and for many there it was a trip down memory lane.

The current coach of the Dutch national team made an important revelation regarding his future: “After this year’s European championships, I will quit my coaching career. I don’t know what I’ll do, but it will be something else.

“I hope to end things well with Holland, even though we will face Italy in our first match and it will be an interesting match…”

The Utrecht-born three-time Golden Ball winner talked about the Brazilian “Ka-Pa-Ro” trio which is fuelling the Milan fans’ imaginations.

“Ronaldo is a great player, he can do great things for the team along with Kaká, who is a complete player who aside from scoring a lot also makes a lot of sacrifices for the group. I’ve never seen Pato, but everyone here is enthusiastic about him, so I trust them…,” Van Basten concluded.

-Source Goal.com

Disgraceful display by Milan tonight as they conceded 2 goals after leading 1 - 0. IThere will be problems in the office tomorrow as pressure will be placed on Ancelotti after the lost.

This will put Milan further behind in the fight to reach fourth place.

Ronaldo came on for Alexandre Pato in the 60th minute and had an excellent chance but was forced wide and the strike was saved by Coppola.

Alexandre Pato missed an excellent chance which could have changed the momentum of the game but again thats football. He will learn as he plays more games.

Gila was no where to be seen after the 60th minute. It looked like Milan were playing with 10 men on the field.

Milan’s defense struggled again and they’re in desperate need of RB. Oddo’s performance could cost him a place on the Milan team. His crosses were way off target and the fustrating thing was that Pirlo and Seedorf continued to feed him the balll upfront.

Milan really need to sort themselves out or they will be missing out on the Champion League next year.

El Fenomeno joined the Rossoneri in January of 2007 from Real Madrid and had a fine end to the Serie A season.

However the striker had a completely disastrous start to this campaign, making only one appearance before Christmas due to injury.

This led to strong reports that Ronaldo, whose contract with the club runs out in June, would be allowed to leave, with Flamengo heavily touted as a possible destination.

However the 31-year-old has now returned to fitness and has impressed in his two games in 2008, scoring twice against Napoli and hitting the post last Sunday against Udinese.

As a result the ‘Corriere’ claims that Milan will now offer him a contract extension until 2009, with a further, later option until 2010.

Ronaldo will probably keep roughly the same wage and he will also retain 100 per cent of his lucrative image rights.

The ex-PSV star is likely to be rested during tonight’s Serie A clash at Atalanta, with Sunday’s substitute goal-hero Alberto Gilardino taking his place alongside Alexandre Pato and Kaka.

“Ronaldo and Alexandre Pato are both very fresh. But it’s most likely that Ronaldo will be rested as he is 31-years-old and he has been out of action for six months. He’s still not 100 per cent but he is returning to match fitness,” Milan boss Carlo Ancelotti said in yesterday’s press conference.

-Source Goal.com