Ronaldo - O Fenomeno

Ronaldo has made clear once again that he would like to play for Flamengo in January providing he is fit and well.

“It is my dream to play for Flamengo in front of a packed Maracanã. They are in pole position right now,” says Ronaldo.

“It will depend a lot on how I’ll be feeling in January. I don’t want to go to Flamengo just because it is my dream or as a favour. It has to be on merit.

“Also, it seems that the Maracanã will be closed in the next year because of the 2014 World Cup project. And with all respect to the others stadiums, I want to play at Maracanã”

“It’s not a decision that can be made right now in any case. I want to wait until January to see if I’ll be in condition to get back to action again.”

Although it is public knowledge that Ronaldo will either hang up his golden boots or join Flamengo.  Siena’s Stronati has made another attempt to lure Ronaldo to Italy.

“Someone told me he’s thinking of hanging up his boots but I’d like to offer him a last chance.” stated Stronati.

“I’ve spoken with his agent and I proposed a contract for a sum of €100,000 for each goal.”

“His goals could bring salvation to Siena. My side they play in a good way, Giampaolo is a great coach but we don’t score a lot.”

Ronaldo has yet to lift up the Champions League trophy and most people said that who would be back in Europe just for that. However, that is no longer the case as Ronaldo has expressed his desire with the team that has nurtured him back to full fitness.

Ronaldo told the Bem Amigos Show: “If everything is okay, I want to stay [at Flamengo].

“I’ve been in Europe for 16 years. Flamengo are my favourite, but I don’t want to play there as a favour. I want to deserve to play there.”

However, Ronnie hinted that he may be ready to quit the game unless he can reach a decent level of fitness; he continued:”I could hang up the boots. If I think I am not fine, I will retire. It’s useless if you are physically fit but you are not fast. I already lost some weight but I must lose more.”

Although he has given up on Europe he has not given up on playing for Brazil in 2012.

“I am a wounded soldier who is recovering, but not dead. The national team is part of my life. I have big history with it, with a number of titles and defeats. I am making a big sacrifice and I do dream of the national team,” added Ronaldo.

If Ronaldo retires he will become one of best strikers to have played the game. His scoring tally in the first ten years of his career was nearly a goal per game.

Despite talking to Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain, Ronaldo says he wants to play for Brazil’s Flamengo next year, but the star player may retire if he fails to get back to his best.

“If in January I feel that something is missing, if I realize that I won’t be able to play as well as before, I will retire,” Ronaldo said.

The three-time FIFA Player of the Year, now almost fully recovered from his latest serious knee surgery, told Brazil’s Globo TV late Monday that his playing time in Europe may be over even though some top clubs have shown an interest in him.

Ronaldo said he had “very interesting talks with Manchester City,” and that Paris Saint-Germain “has been showing a lot of interest,” but his first choice will be Flamengo, Brazil’s most popular club.

“Flamengo is the favourite,” Ronaldo said. “It is my dream to play for Flamengo. (The club) is in pole position right now.”

Ronaldo, a longtime fan of Flamengo, has been practising with the five-time national champion the past few months as part of his recovery from knee surgery. The 32-year-old striker ruptured a tendon in his left knee in a Serie A match with AC Milan in February - the third major knee injury of his career.

“It will depend a lot on how I’ll be feeling in January,” Ronaldo said. “I don’t want to go to Flamengo just because it is my dream or as a favour. I have to deserve it. I know that if I don’t play well, I’ll be jeered by fans at Maracana just as the other players will.”

The striker, who has been without a club since his contract with AC Milan expired in June, is now trying to regain his fitness and says he only wants to play on if he can recapture his best form.

“It won’t work If I’m well physically but not as fast as before. And I need to able to lose weight too, which could be another problem,” Ronaldo said.

Despite making it clear that he expects to continue playing, Ronaldo said the “decision can’t be made right now.”

“I want to wait until January to see If I’ll be in condition to wear a team’s jersey again,” he said.