Despite being absent from Brazil's last two
World Cup qualifiers and the Confederations Cup, Ronaldo remains a key
player for the World Cup champion, says coach Carlos Alberto Parreira.
Parreira released Ronaldo from Brazil's qualifiers against Paraguay and
Argentina earlier this month, and Germany's eight-nation tournament,
after the Real Madrid striker said he needed to rest. Parreira had
warned then that fatigue was no excuse for missing the Confederations
Cup.
"No one is irreplaceable," said Parreira, and that Ronaldo "claimed [he
had] personal problems."
But Parreira said Monday that the three-time World Player of the Year
will be back soon.
"Ronaldo is a key player. He scores in the big matches. He'll be back
for our next [World Cup] qualifying games," he said.
Brazil's strikeforce at this two-week competition has been comprised of
Inter Milan's Adriano and emerging star Robinho.
Last month, Ronaldo ended his engagement to a Brazilian television
personality, three months after a highly publicized party at a French
castle to celebrate their impending marriage.
Ronaldo, who was out for almost two years with a knee injury, returned
at the 2002 World Cup in Japan. He scored both goals in Brazil's 2-0
victory over Germany in the final, finishing the tournament as leading
scorer as Brazil won a record fifth title. |