Ronaldo - O Fenomeno

Ronaldo made a controversial move to Sao Paulo’s Corinthians on Tuesday despite speculations that he would join Flamengo since he has been training with them for the last four months.

Ronaldo’s decision has caused outrage in Brazil.

Speaking to TV Globo, Ronaldo made it clear that his intentions at Corinthians was not to use the club as a springboard to return to Europe.

“I have lived in Europe in the last 15 years and I do not think I will return there. I have decided to stay in Brazil and do not want to use the Corinthians as a springboard,” said Ronaldo.

The most important thing for Ronaldo is to get back to his best and regain respect.

“The most important thing for me now is to return to mark and regain credibility. I’m sure there will be problems that can stop me but if I play well then I deserve a chance to come back. I have the co-operation of some of the best doctors in the world, examining all the plates and magnetic resonance to which I submitted. Now is a question of entering into shape,” added Ronaldo.

According to reports, Corinthians will organize a high-profile friendly match with a top European club, most probably Real Madrid, where Ronaldo will likely make his official Corinthians debut. The match is expected to take place on the 17th of January, in Sao Paulo.

Corinthians will unveil their new striker on Friday 12th of December at 1pm. It will be a sight that nobody would have expected but we all must respect Ronaldo’s decision to move to the Sao Paulo club.

This will mark a memorable day for Ronaldo not only as it marks his recovery from his knee injury but will be a day where he returns to Brazil to play football. He left Cruzeiro Esporte Clube to join PSV Eindhoven at the tender age of 17.

In that time Ronaldo has won three FIFA World Player of the Year awards in 1996, 1997, 2002 and is one of two men to have won the award three times, along with former Real Madrid teammate Zinedine Zidane. He also won two “Ballon d’Or” awards in 1997 and 2002. Pelé named him one of the 125 greatest living footballers in March 2004. In 2007 France Football named him in their best starting XI of all time.

It is a dissapointment that Ronaldo’s time in Europe has ended. However, Ronaldo returning to the pitch will bring joy to many fans around the world.

Flamengo fans were outraged yesterday as they learnt of the news that Ronaldo would be joining the Corinthians next season.

Ronaldo has been linked to many clubs but Flamengo fans thought that Ronaldo would choose Flamengo as he has been training with them for four months.

Ronaldo is aware that Flamengo supporters are upset but has revealed that Flamengo did not offer him a project to stay.

“I have the club in the heart, but there no one made me a proposal,” said Ronaldo.

“I am proud of what I did. The project of Corinthians is fantastic, 2009 will be a great year.”

“The new club is fantastic and I am sure to overcome the initial difficulties due to the long stop and the bad mood of supporters of Flamengo.”

“I have already lived through these situations and I know that there will be muscle problems. But I think that, over time, the rhythm the training and everything will jump to normal.”

“I understand the bad mood of supporters. I am a flamenguista in the heart. I was training in Rio for 4 months but no one submitted a project idea, a proposal, I have to continue to be a professional, I like challenges. Being back on the field is a huge motivation.”

Flamengo fans were so annoyed with Ronaldo’s move that they threatened to use a voodoo witch to cast a spell on the star.

Jerseys and photographs of the striker were also burned- such is the outrage in Brazil.