SAO PAULO: With goal after goal in Brazil, Ronaldo is showing he
remains one of the best strikers in the world.
Despite not being completely fit after spending more than a year
sidelined because of the third serious knee injury of his career,
Ronaldo is leaving his mark in Brazilian football, even showing signs of
the form that made him a three-time Fifa player of the year.
The 32-year-old striker is thriving with Corinthians, and has already
scored eight goals in nine matches since returning competitively in
March.
His performances have prompted calls by fans and local media for his
return to the national team.
"This is an answer to those who said I was an exhibition player, a
marketing move," Ronaldo said.
"I'm the happiest man in the world, I'm doing what I like to do.
"The most important thing to me is to be playing football."
Ronaldo's latest goals were scored in style on Sunday in the first leg
of the Sao Paulo state championship, when Corinthians beat Santos 3-1 to
stay one match away from the title. They can win the title even with a
two-goal loss next week.
The striker showed his skill with a difficult first touch that set up a
left-footed shot for his first goal in the first half, then used a nifty
back-heel dribble to get past a defender and clip a delicate lob shot
from outside the area over Santos goalkeeper Fabio Costa.
Even Pele -- a former Santos player who watched the match at the Vila
Belmiro Stadium -- was quick to praise Ronaldo.
"It was a goal worthy of Pele, a goal worthy of a World Cup," Pele said.
"He makes a difference. I'm glad I got to see a goal like that."
Ronaldo, the all-time leading World Cup scorer with 15 goals, was
thrilled to perform well in front of Pele.
"It was nice to be the king for a day in the King's house," the
32-year-old Ronaldo said.
Ronaldo, who had already scored a decisive goal in the semi-final
against Sao Paulo, became the biggest attraction in Brazilian football
after signing with Corinthians last December.
He was visibly overweight and struggling to regain his fitness, but when
he finally made his debut, it was in dramatic fashion, scoring a
last-minute goal against rival Palmeiras. |
