When Ronaldo ruptured his knee ligament at AC Milan, I received alot of emails asking if he would return to football or if he would retire. My answer was short and simple, Ronaldo is the ‘Phenonmenon.’
Two years later and Ronaldo is playing for the Corinthians, scored 23 goals last season and recently scored his first goal of the season. Now who would have thought this two years ago? Most Ronaldo fans would not like to admit that they had a hint of doubt but nothing is impossible with Ronaldo.
So here we are again, asking questions about Ronaldo. Will he be going to South Africa with Brazil?
Before we answer the question, lets take a quick look at the past for those that don’t know anything about the Phenomenon. Ronaldo suffered a mysterious fit hours before the 98 World Cup Final against France. He manages to play but his performance is under par and Brazil lose 3-0 to France. End of 1999, Ronaldo suffered a recurring knee injury and test revealed that surgery was required. Ronaldo returned after recovering from the surgery, only to discover that he would injure his knee again 6 minutes after being brought on as a substitute. Skeptics say that Ronaldo’s career is over but Ronaldo vows that when he returns he will be on top again. After two knee surgeries and months of rehabilitation, Ronaldo returns to the World Cup scene and scores two goals in the 2002 final against Germany. He wins the golden boot and is again crowned ‘Fifa Player of the Year’ for the third time.
Now that we have got that over with, we know that Ronaldo is more than capable of overcoming the impossible. However, going to the 2010 World Cup is not solely Ronaldo’s decision. This is what worries all Ronaldo fans including myself. Although Ronaldo could persuade the outcome by losing a few kilos, will it be too late?
Dunga clearly does not go by form. This is evident, as Robinho and Felipe Melo have been included in the squad to face Ireland in the last friendly before the World Cup. Robinho was not even in the first team at Manchester City and Felipe Melo has been the biggest dissapointment in Serie A. On the other hand, Ronaldinho has been on fire, recently scoring a hat-trick and when his not scoring his assisting his team-mates. Now why isn’t Ronaldinho in the squad?
Then it occured to me that Dunga has already made up his mind. He was always going to leave Ronaldo and Ronaldinho out, as he believes they were the reason for Brazil’s failure in the last World Cup. Ronaldo was recently quoted saying,
“I appreciate the support from all those who want to see me in the tournament but lets be quiet, as any kind of pressure on Dunga may hinder the selection. I have to do my part, do my best so I deserve to be there. If I’m not, then it is because I do not deserve it. I will cheer for Brazil anyway.”
Maybe Ronaldo knows something that we don’t but I can assure you that not every player in the Selecao deserves to be there.
Ronaldo may look overweight and may be injury prone but he can still win games and make a difference. When a game is on the line and Dunga looks over at his bench, he will surely regret not including Ronaldo when that time comes!
75 Responses to “Will Ronaldo make the World Cup in South Africa?”
Leave a Reply
nice one!! well said
As for the NT Dunga called up now,believe me,if this would be the team which should play at the WC,people in Brazil would protest heavily! Now,there is pressure,but it’s still February,but if end of May Dunga really make such a decision and leaves Ronaldo and Ronaldinho out even they deserve to be called up,then I wouldn’t wonder if Dunga is sacked alongside Ricardo Teixeira if he supports Dunga. People in Brazil will just accept Ronaldo and Ronaldinho being out of the WC if they deserve to be out,if they don’t deserve to be out,but Dunga ignores them,the pressure on Teixeira will also be very high.Even Lula said he wants Ronaldo and Ronaldinho in the team,so IF they both really deserve to be in the NT to play at the WC2010,they will be there!I think the attitude of Carlos Alberto Torres,the former captain and legend of the brazilian NT,says a lot. He was like Dunga lost his mind,he didn’t say it this way,but he said Dunga should come to see Ronaldo personally to understand he is in much better shape and that Dunga,as someone who works for HIS COUNTRY,should really open up his mind.This was a clear criticism from a legend in Brazil and he also said his generation (a generation including some legends,brazilian heros) wants Ronaldo in the NT.So after all he said,it sounded like: “Dunga,you are really making a huge mistake,be careful,we don’t support you.” In Brazil things sometimes work differently, and IF Ronaldo and Ronaldinho deserve to be called up and Dunga ignores them,then there will be pressure not only from the fans,but also from other sites and institutions,and I am convinced even Teixeira would do pressure on Dunga if he doesn’t want to be sacked!
I’m more than convinced if Ronaldo plays great at the Copa Libertadores,scores regularly,he will deserve to be called up! And then he will be called up!Doesn’t matter what Dunga really wants! Mark my words!
Dunga is a very difficult coach. No matter what Ronaldo does in this 3 month remaining, he’ll most probably be left out just like Dinho, Pato and Diego. Screw Dunga.
And site owner,maybe the last part of my comment is what Ronaldo knows and we don’t know,that in the case he plays great and scores regularly there will be people,powerful people,who will support him in a way Dunga will have no choice but to call him up.And he knows only in the case he doesn’t play great the same powerful people won’t help him.And then it would mean he didn’t deserve to be called up.
You know what I mean? As long as Ronaldo plays great and scores regularly he will be called up for the WC2010,doesn’t matter what Dunga wants!And that’s maybe what Ronaldo knows already! Just a theory.
Ok nameless so ROnaldo plays well, score goals + the pressure from the fans and all force Dunga to give him a shot. Now there’s another problem: Will Ronaldo play in the World Cup? What if DUnga keeps him on the bech for the whole tournament?
even RONALDO would be proud of ‘the finish’ of this article!
If Dunga is forced to call up Ronaldo,he surely has to play him. He can’t let him on the bench the whole tournament,the pressure won’t stop after he called him up,the pressure from the same persons would go on.I don’t say they would force Dunga to make Ronaldo a starter,only he deserves it,but surely they would make him to let him play,that’s the root of the matter!
While WC2006 in Germany a former german footballer and now football expert was asked why the coach still lets Ronaldo play,even he hardly moved in the first game and couldn’t score in the first two games. But Ronaldo was always a starter.And this guy said,people don’t know how powerful Ronaldo is in reality in Brazil.He said his power in Brazil is unbelievable,people can’t imagine. Personally I think Perreira let him play because he believed in him,even he criticised him after the WC2006 a lot.But some think there were some power behind the whole thing,the real reason why Ronaldo always was a starter even he played bad the first 2 games.As I said,I believe Perreira believed in him,but people in Germany,sports experts,were talking a lot about Ronaldo’s unbelievable power in Brazil. It was like he is one of the most powerful guys in Brazil.
But there is also Nike,and I can imagine Nike wants Ronaldo at the WC2010 just to make a new campagn like “Can Ronaldo repeat the history”, “Can Ronaldo do what he did in 2002″,they surely will start to make something like a “Superman” campagn with him. And it would really work!This would be something different to all the campagns and commercials Nike will make with other footballers. This would be something special. I can really imagine Nike will try to do something to make the CBF and Dunga call up Ronaldo.I hope it will work!
real nameless nike could also say “impossible is nothing”!
What you say is correct about the powerful forces controlling the selection but Dunga is different. he doesn’t get intimidated. its sad for me to say but everyday i lose a little of the hope that i have of ronaldo wearing the yellow jersey again.
Hopefully “impossible is nothing”.
i am a big big big fan for R9 & i hope dunga will take R9 to World cup, but sadly i dont think he will call him,coz its a big responsibility for dunga,what if R9 have injury during the competition.
i wish i can see him,,,, get well R9
I am a big fan of R from Romania. R is a genius player and he has to be taken to WC even in not the best shape. But there are many coaches who think that they are doing a great personal performance only if they use regular players. They want to prove that they can win without the big names. I hope Dunga is not this kind of coach.
What kind of question is that?it is not only us(fans)who want him there!imagine how can u keep da all tym scorer out of da tournament while he is capable of playing?Danga was his teammate not his enemy!but if won’t take him there i swear to God he’ll be shoted by real fans after they fail even 2qualify from group stage!remember also phenomeno starts 2score on African team in wc(MOROCO) ends again on African team(GHANA)!so should come 2African soil 2score more dat no one will ever break!R9 forever!
Ronaldinho should be in the team now, no doubt, if Ronaldo can stay fit and score lots of goals at this level then he should be picked too, but he has to get in better shape and really shine which he should do easily at this level.
Ronaldo said it many times himself that if is to be selected for the national team again, it must be based on his form not his past achievments. I think that most people are being emotional and love to see a repeat of R9′s triumphant comeback in 2002 but they should wait until Ronaldo proves himself in the Libertadores cup and the League, he only played two matches this season so its too early.
I think Dunga has already made up his mind about his squad. over the past four years he experimented alot and tested many players with the exception of Ronaldo despite his good spell at ac Milan. so given Ronaldo’s increased waistline and age its highly unlikely that he is even considering him. let’s hope I’m wrong
Carlos Alberto is an hypocrite just last year , he said Ronaldo shouldn’t be called now, and now he’s begging Dunga to put Ronnie in the team
To The Writer of this article I say:
Very well written!
Wonderful article and analysis
Let’s hope well
The best Ronaldo article i have read regarding his World cup chances is this one here http://bleacherreport.com/articles/316553-world-cup-2010-ronaldos-last-dance although its a few months old now. It is VERY good
But Kenny this Carlos Alberto said this time Ronado lost weight and Dunga should come to look himself. So I think he changed his mind because Ronaldo is in better shape now.Alberto was like it’s dumb to say he has to lose 10kg because he is in much better shape now.He said he can see it standing next to Ronaldo and also Dunga should look at Ronaldo standing next to him.
Hey folks u know wat lets jus all pray and have faith in Jesus Christ that Ronaldo will make the world cup and that things wil work out between him and dunga and that ronaldo wil train hard and score many goals.in Jesus name
Hey folks u know wat lets jus all pray and have faith in Jesus Christ that Ronaldo will make the world cup and that things wil work out between him and dunga and that ronaldo wil train hard and score many goals.in Jesus name.
All da best to ronaldo u could make it.anything is possible with Jesus Christ
http://www.aldodemarchi.com/noticias.asp?cod=224
Look how fat Ronaldo is. I had to post this.
great pic real nameless its sure to blow away all those ronaldo critics and put their mouths to rest afterall.
Everyone in Brazil loves Ronaldo.
Even Flamengo supporters will still cheer for him in the world cup
@ author : excellent point of view. sadly, but i`m sure that Ronaldo will be left out no matter how many goals he scores. and i`m also sure that no man on this earth deserves more that spot on the selecao team, and no striker will ever match Ronaldo`s skill in front of goal. and, as sadly as the first one, i`m sure that Dunga will forever regret not including R9 in the squad. europeans will rule this year, and Brazil will suffer another early throw out. i may be wrong, but for my money Ronaldo`s skill is unsurpassed.
He is big for FOOTBALLER but ist masive
I wesh he choose play for Flamengo instead to Corinthians for more money.
even though I love Flamengo, and he diddn jone becuase they offer more money all wood be forgiven if he got world Cup
I admit he does look better in that picture, he is still big for a footballer but if he continues to lose weight you never know,
lets see him stay fit and have a good run in the side at Corinthians first before crying for him to be picked.
and RAJ I agree, lets pray to GOD that R9 makes World Cup
Yeah,nothing imposible wit almighty God.pray for him 2be in shape&injury free!
…i think Dunga already have R9 in the squat,he just not list it now cuz it better this way…for everybody,for brasil,for friends,for Soccer,for R9 and for himself.there’s couple reasons that R9 not play in WC2010 is R9 is not Luis Ronaldo Luis Nazario de lima or Dunga is not lead the team anymore…so relax all R9′s fan,Ronaldo will be there(WC2010)…event just for peace…:)
Amen,ndng!
LOL im really tired now from all this reading.
Just keep ur hopes up people!
THE ROAD TO WORLD CUP 2010 HAS JUST BEGUN FOR RONALDO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Its not like if r9 gets really thin and is perfect size and he gets picked. Its about from, he can be a little heavy and be in great form say 20 goals by may and he could be picked, and still eb quite heavy, aslong as hes in form he will have a good chance to be pciked!
http://ego.globo.com/Gente/Fotos/0,,GF79495-9801,00-FAMOSOS+CONFEREM+SHOW+DE+BEYONCE+EM+SAO+PAULO.html#fotogaleria=11
On Beyonces concert last Sunday .
Latest news are that Ronaldo will play on 24th , in Libertadores .
Picture 11
You will not miss him !
Yeah,R9R9,but the pictures from the award show are more recent:
http://www.aldodemarchi.com/noticias.asp?cod=224
So what’s your point?
This was on 6th February , that is last Sunday .
We are all here to support and pray he gets in that airplane with Brasil squad to play in WC 2010.
Point of picture is that I will never ever agree with you that say he is smaller than he was in 2006.
Nevertless his body is changed now and is a lot muscular , so its heavier and bigger that it was in 2006 .
Nevermind we should all hope he plays well and without injuries and goes to WC .
edit – than it was in 2006
The pic I posted is from 10th february,it’s more recent than 6th February. And if you look to the picture and still say he is bigger than at the beginning of WC2006,well, that will be an eternal secret for me!
its very logical: after returning from the first knee injury at inter he was a completely different body type – very bulked up. even jorge valdano when madrid bought him said ‘hes built like a suit of armor’ after the second injury at milan – he’sbound to be even bigger. that is the price of countless hours recuperation in the gym, weightlifting…
as i said compare his calves to previous periods and now. they didnt get fat. ergo, neither did his upper body. he’s not fat, just enormously muscular. i wish i had a body like him.
“i wish i had a body like him.”
Me too.
Mano said Ronaldo will definitly play at 24th February, but if he is fit enough (his injury is already cured) he will maybe play at 17th or 20th February. Good if Mano doesn’t rush his return, even we are pissed off of waiting.
Dunga is a prick, true ronaldo should be in better shape but when it comes down to it, who are u gonna trust more than ronaldo in front of goal when it really matters???
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1234622/Has-Carlo-Ancelotti-Bruno-Demichelis-caught-Injuries-piled-Chelsea-form-slipped.html
Now, I’m confused. Who was the real problem at Milan for Ronaldo? The MilanLab or Ancelotti? Since he is at Chelsea trying to build up a second MilanLab, the players get more often injured and they (Anceotti’s new MilanLab staff including former Milan psychologist Demichelis) CAN’T preview coming injuries! As always! But they keep saying they can!
Why can’t they move on and try to be a normal medical department (at Milan and at Chelsea) like any other medical department? I mean it’s not like they can do something good other medical departments can’t do!
Ronaldo inclision in the yeam is hot topic but i don’t get why Ronaldhino is not in the national team-i mean he’s fit,in good form and is now a relitively senior member of the team…
Ronaldo will make it to the World cup but happens there will be the real deal!
I think we should have a death threat for dunga! everyone signs up. when an entire nation is about playing exiting football, then this small penis of a man decides to wade in, sit down and act like a blind folded fool. i think its the least we can do.
Hey tomlondon dont be an idiot wit this death threat thing do u want to throw dunga out of focus and concentration and then brazil will lose every game dont be stupid you’ll ruin everytin.
I’m supporting you tomlondon, it’s seems to me that this is one of the things that can sent R9 to the SA. Yes it is no so humanity but it’s justified when it’s about pricks like Dunga.
And Raj, do you really think that Dunga is the reaseon for this last successes of the Brazil NT ? Because most football experts sayd (and i’m agree) that he just ruin “THE SAMBA STYLE” of the team, and this is what makes this team so loved and great.
No badboy i dont think its dunga who is totally responsible for the teams success but what am saying is it is better to wait and see what happens in the next 3-4months for now have some patience leave dunga alone dont send any death threats that would only make dunga scared &worried and it could affect the team negatively making it worst am against this whole death threat thing. its jus senseless u wouldn’t want to hurt the whole team jus because your favourite player didnt make it.come on i agree that dunga has no right 2 leave him out. ronaldo deserve to be there right now as a matter of fact he should of been chosen for the ireland friendly dont mind he’s injured dani alves is also injured presently but he got picked so dunga is being very unfair i agree.but threating with death will only make brazil play badly.yes we should pressure dunga to pick him but not in that negative way because when u put in negative things in a coach head negative things will also come out which in return can affect the team in a bad way & u dont want brazil to lose ok.
You are right about this, and the only one thing that worries me about that leave him alone thing is that that he may decide he is of the hook and if there is no many time before WC, this people who may pressure him (Lula,Parreira etc) might not be able to push him hard enough, because they can’t fire him a month before WC cuz then will be too late. In my point of view there are two options:
1. Dunga just want to be sure that R9 will be in good shape and not getting injured and that’s why he doesn’t call him up by now, but there are some unanswered questions about that possibility: Why he said about 2 months ago that he is made up his team for the upcoming friendlies and Ronaldo will not be a part of the team for this games. Also why he didn’t call Ronaldo since 2006 cause lets face it Roni weren’t in bad shape all the time since then and ok maybe hi were trying some new players but come on Adriano isn’t a new player.
2 option:
Dunga doesn’t want R9 in his team, and his decision is final, therefore he just make excuses for not calling him, and when the time is comeing closer to the WC he will tell that this is a new team and R9 doesn’t have a place there cuz he has no play hours with this players, he is not worked out with them.In the mean time Dunga hopes that R9 will be injured by then so he will not have to give explanations about cutting him off.I hope it’s not like that, and i hope something will happen by then and Ronaldo will make it cause he is the greatest ever no doubt for me and for real fans of him like you guys.
The Phenomenom
http://esporte.uol.com.br/futebol/campeonatos/paulista/ultimas-noticias/2010/02/13/recuperado-de-lesao-ronaldo-aguarda-aval-de-mano-para-retornar.jhtm
The physiotherapist says Ronaldo is ready and it depends on Mano if Ronaldo will play Wednesday or not. Monday Ronaldo will start to train with the team again,but they surely will evaluate to be sure he won’t have another injury,so maybe Mano won’t let him play. It’s better for him to play next week,on Sunday,I guess.
to be honest, they should just sack dunga.only problem is if there is another coach hanging around waiting for a job who is competent enough?that is the only sticking point.also, we need a coach who is fair and looks at form and fitness before all else.
^^ Guus Hiddink.
the real nameless should be the coach lol
Well,I’m a diehard Ronaldo fan, but I really dont believe he is truly motivated on going to the WC, if you he is not old at being 32,other Soccer players at his samee age arent as out of shape as he is.If you see just take Totti for example ,he has also suffered from injuries and does’nt look out of shape.I believe its just the way of lifestyles.Ronaldos talent is not questioned,is just he doesnt look committed.So I dont believe he will go.I would to be wrong but just look, he trains but no results ,he need to get a better nutritionist and a personal trainer like Bernard Hopkins did to lose weight and gain strengh on his knees.That committment on Hopkins behalf saved his career and became world champ at a different division,if I was ronaldo i would contact tha same trainer Emanuel Steward and lets see what happens.Good Luck ROnaldo
lol 9
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/sports/2010-02/14/c_13174911.htm
Yeah,about wat u say,i thnk it’s the truth,guys.nd i’m still hope 2 see ronaldo’skills again here in our continent,nd i kno he is the best finisher and also the best player i ever see.i agree 2 u Mr.real nameless.so,wat can we do now?we must go ahead and prayer for R9!impossible is nothing…
http://globoesporte.globo.com/Esportes/Noticias/Futebol/0,,MUL1490865-9825,00-RONALDO+JA+ESTA+NO+RIO+DE+JANEIRO+PARA+CURTIR+O+CARNAVAL+CARIOCA.html
Ronaldo is now, after the Sao Paulo Carneval, at Rio de Janeiro’s carneval and there he met the doctor of the NT,Runco (on the pic) and talked a bit with him about his condition.
Ok,it’s not a big deal,but I hope the doctor had a good impression of Ronaldo.
http://www.espbr.com/noticias/patrocinio-corinthians-quinto-maior-mundo
Wow,Corinthians has the 5th best sponsorship deal among football clubs. The others are Real Madrid, Bayern München, Liverpool and Manchester United. Means,Corinthians has a better sponsorship than Chelsea, both Milan clubs and even Barcelona!
But this is for 2010.Don’t know when the sponsorship for Corinthians ends,if it’s just for one season.
Cos r9 is a legend
Mr.real nameless, ur comments make me feel so good
^^ GAY ^^
he looks belly big wit tha DOC.
RONALDO BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!! RONALDO WORLD CUP 2010!!!!!
Lets Pray for RONALDO … i think this is the best thing we can do and speak out for him too… dunga is kinda of a mean person but he is afraid and thinking about ronaldo so i hope things worked out i wanna see the legend one for time … dunga brazil and all the world wants to see Ronaldo .. King Needs a last Run coz he deserves …
I will not watch he Brazil team play in the 2010 World cup without Ronaldo in.It will be the most boring World cup ever.
If Brazil loose the Worldcup without Ronaldo, Dunga will be cursed up to the end of his life but if Brazil could not make it to the final with Ronaldo playing, the fans will always be OK.
Ronaldo should go to South Africa because of the following reasons:
- He will help Brazil win the world cup by his experiences
- He will help himself and Brazil set the record of the most goal-scoring player in the World Cup finals, maybe 16, 17, 18 goals this year, who knows
- He will help himself and Brazil set the record of the most world cup final participating player, 5 world cup finals in a row
- He always inspires the other Brazilian players whenever he’s on the field
- Who knnows he may be the best FIFA player the fourth time
Roldo’s going to South Africa is the happiest-ending I have ever felt. The world cup finals in South Africa would be so boring and lifeless without Ronaldo. He deserves to be there because of the following reasons:
- He has done a lot for Brazil and for the world for the past 16 years (since 1994) in terms of football games
- Just the first three times of his participation in the world cup finals, Brazil got the championships 2 times and one time as a runner-up; who else could be compared with him?
- In his four times at the world cup finals, he scored 15 goals and broke the record of Muller which had been kept for decades; who else could be compared with him?
- He’s now in his full swings at Conrithians and always performs as the best striker there (He has scored more than 24 goals for Conrithians even though he still feels hurt from his previous injuries). His efforts are just more than ‘great’!
I will cry bitterly and will never watch any matches between Brazil and its opponents without Ronaldo
Most of the factor for the World Champion 2010 are saying Spain will win the title. But usually it isn’t the big favourite that will win the tournament, so I think Brasil will make the race.
Sadly, no Ronaldo to call in on the minutes of need in South Africa…Fire Dunga!
this bloddy hell dunga cause brazil to lose world cup trophy by dropping great Ronaldo behind,,,,crazy Dunga,,,,GET LOST
But Legend is legend hope to see R9 playing great football which splendour goals,,pray to god,,,may god bless him with a power to come all the troublesome pains and injury! R9 u r great,,,please paly for us always
RYAN FROM NEPAL,,,
LOVE YOU RONALDO….