Under-fire striker Ronaldo has said he was confident of doing justice to
his stature after a lacklustre performance in Brazil's opening World Cup
match against Croatia.
"The media have criticised me at length for my first performance and I
accept these opinions with humility and respect. I am convinced that I
am going to respond to the faith that has been reposed in me," he wrote
in a syndicated column in the Hindustan Times Friday.
"I know that things are going to change and I remain positive as we
approach our (second) game against Australia on Sunday. Somebody once
told me that people only throw stones at trees that bear fruits."
Ronaldo, in the news for his flab and sluggishness, conceded he had an
off-day in the defending champions' 1-0 victory in the opening Group-F
clash against Croatia at Berlin on Tuesday but hoped to regain his magic
touch soon.
"There was great interest about my health and fitness for no reason.
However, it also reminded me of the responsibility I have within this
group, and the weight of expectations that comes with the name Ronaldo,"
he said.
"I have to carry this weight and put up with the scrutiny of experts and
fans, and hopefully I will redeem myself sooner than later."
The Real Madrid striker, 29, said he would like to forget his first
match in Germany "as soon as possible".
"It has not been a great opening at the World Cup for me," said Ronaldo,
who netted a brace in his team's 2-0 win over Germany in the final of
the last World Cup in Japan and Korea.
"A few minutes into the game, it occurred to me that something was
missing in my game. It was not something I could put a finger on, but
it's something any soccer player would understand.
"When your first three or four touches are not as good as you want them
to be, you begin to imagine reasons for your lack of effectiveness.
"But I knew that the problem could be transitory and that a few good
moves would get me back in rhythm. Unfortunately, this did not happen on
Tuesday."
The below-par Ronaldo was eventually substituted in the second half by
Robinho.
"It was a decision I understood perfectly, because it was clear that it
was not my day. Although we won the game, I finished the encounter
feeling quite sad because I did not play well."
Ronaldo said his visit Wednesday to a Frankfurt hospital for a check-up
after complaining of dizzy spells was no cause for concern.
"I am happy to say I felt better and went to the gym later and even
trained with the team," he said.
Ronaldo needs just one goal to move ahead of Pele as Brazil's top
all-time World Cup goalscorer. Both currently have 12, two behind
all-time leader Gerd Muller of Germany. |
