Ronaldo Career Virtually Over

Koozar · 02-13-2008, 11:56 PM

The career of Milan striker Ronaldo is virtually over after it was confirmed that he has completely severed the tendon in his left knee.

Ronaldo collapsed in the penalty area in agony just minutes after coming on as a substitute in tonightâ€™s 1-1 draw with Livorno.

El Fenomeno was stretchered off the pitch in serious distress and he was in floods of tears.

The seriousness of the situation could be seen immediately as the Milan players were clearly shaken up by what they had seen.

Ronaldo was immediately rushed to hospital where tests revealed that he had completely severed the tendon in his left knee.

The 31-year-old has already suffered this injury twice before, first in 1998 and then in 2000. In total these kept him out of the game for the best part of three years.

With this in mind, and also considering the fact that reports yesterday suggested that he was already considering retirement at the end of the season, it seems highly likely that the great career of Ronaldo has come to an end.

Sad, if he is forced to retire, to see such a great player bow out like that!

Catman · 02-14-2008, 12:43 AM

It's a shame but he did very well off of football so good luck to the lad.

lions · 02-14-2008, 01:52 AM

Has been a major factor in teams being winners over the years,and it would a great shame for the guy to bow out in this fashion,from a lustrous career that deserves a greater exit than this maybe.

ANTON · 02-14-2008, 08:13 AM

He was the greatest player in the world , and its a shame to see this happen to such a good player. Hope he can recover.

'Chopper' · 02-14-2008, 09:19 AM

Quote:

MILANO - Livorno proved itself a tough team, capable already during the league to win poitns against teams like Inter, Roma and Udinese. The Rossoneri did not go further than a 1-1 and lost the chance to overtake Fiorentina in the Champions League zone.

More than the result, the disappointment goes towards what happened to Ronaldo. The Brazilian in fact came on the pitch in the 57th minute, but he had to leave the pitch after a few minutes due to a serious injury. For him it's a problem to his left knee. Everything occurred in the 15th minute of the second half. Oddo crossed towards the middle, where Vidigal intercepted the ball with a handball. Ronaldo falls to the floor in the attempt to jump and intercept the ball, holding his knee. The sensation is immediately that it is something serious, which is understood by his team-mates who call up for the intervention of the doctors. The player then leaves the pitch after a few minutes covering his face whilst crying.

The following penalty kick is scored by a cool Andrea Pirlo, who is good enough to send Amelia the wrong way. It's the equalizer of the Rossoneri which arrives 10 minutes after the Livorno goal.

After a balanced first half, Camolese's men took advantage of a defensive mistake by the Rossoneri and Pulzetti went through the spaces and with a wonderful shot beat Kalac under the goalpost.

In the second half, Paloschi and Gilardino were replaced by Inzaghi and Ronaldo, who is then later substituted by Serginho due to the injury. Livorno had to do without Tavano who left the pitch at the end of the first half due to a muscular problem and suffered the return of the Rossoneri who equalized from the penalty spot.

The final minutes of the game saw Ambrosini and team-mates pushing forward for the winning goal, but it's Livorno who goes close to win the game again with Pulzetti who does not take advantage of a Rossini cross.

Therefore the opportunity to overtake Fiorentina in fourth place fades away, but the Rossoneri right now are more interested in knowing what Ronaldo's conditions are.

16 stone by Xmas?

'Chopper' · 02-15-2008, 10:04 AM

One too many injuries I reckon. He'll be putting on weight already and by Xmas he'll be a ball faced ex-player who'll look like he should be playing darts!"munch""munch""munch"

Quote:

Ronaldo faces a tough decision on any attempt to return from another serious knee injury, says his doctor.

The AC Milan star ruptured a tendon in his left knee in a match earlier this week and had an operation on Thursday.

Asked if the 31-year-old striker would ever play again, French surgeon Gerard Saillant said: "It will depend on him."

Team-mate Clarence Seedorf said: "It's a long way to come back. I just hope he makes the right decision at the right time. His decision would be respected."

Ronaldo fell awkwardly when challenging for a ball in the air with Jose Vidigal, shortly after replacing Alberto Gilardino in the second half against Livorno.

He faces nine months on the sidelines and AC Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi admitted: "He fears for his career."

Brazilian international Ronaldo, a three-time Fifa world player of the year, suffered the same injury in his right knee in November 1999.

He lasted seven minutes on his comeback in April 2000 before taking another 20 months to make a full recovery. Saillant also operated on that injury.

Berlusconi remains hopeful, however, telling Italy's RAI TV: "I called him and told him to believe in himself. As a 31-year-old, he's very young.

"He has an extraordinary physique and I think within a few months he could return to being the champion that we all know him as."

Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti added: "We're all very sorry and worried about what happened.

"I don't want to say it's the end of his career because only time can decide - all we can do is stand by him."

Ronaldo, who is out of contract at the end of the season, struggled with his weight at Real Madrid before joining Milan in January 2007 for Â£4.95m.

Dutch midfielder Seedorf added: "Let's see what happens in the next six months and then maybe we will have a better idea of where his head is."

Milan face Premier League leaders Arsenal in the first leg of their last 16 Champions League tie on 21 February.

lions · 02-15-2008, 07:32 PM

Unfortunately i can't see the once majestic player coming back a third time round myself.He's 31 facing at least 9 months on the side-lines and thats only if he doesnt do what he did 8 years back and end up out the game for 20 more months....so sorry to say it i think the world of football has seen the last the player on a pitch.."shakehead2"

Villa · 02-16-2008, 04:58 PM

I'll echo what Lions said about him not returning to the game

A great shame for a true footballing icon - the things he could do with a football was pure quality - not many rated him towards the World Cup but it just shown that class was permanant and temp the way he answered them

IMO he come back a much stronger player when he come back the last time - but he won't come back this time i'm afraid

theblues08 · 02-16-2008, 08:52 PM

Not a nice way to end your career obviously would hope somehow he could come back from it, even just to sign off from football in a better way.

'Chopper' · 02-18-2008, 04:13 PM

The fat boy will be out of contract at the end of the season so if he does return to football it'll be off his own back as he'll not have a club to take care of his rehab. Paying for a physio and fitness trainer isn't exactly a problem but one-on-one rehab isn't the same as working with a squad of players. No, I think he'll turn to media work within a few weeks and call it a day when his contract is up."oldboy"

02-13-2008, 11:56 PM	#1 (permalink)
Koozar Semi-Pro Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: London Posts: 737 Thanks: 2 Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts Nominees Submitted: 0 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts Has Not Won Any TOTM Yet	Ronaldo Career Virtually Over The career of Milan striker Ronaldo is virtually over after it was confirmed that he has completely severed the tendon in his left knee. Ronaldo collapsed in the penalty area in agony just minutes after coming on as a substitute in tonightâ€™s 1-1 draw with Livorno. El Fenomeno was stretchered off the pitch in serious distress and he was in floods of tears. The seriousness of the situation could be seen immediately as the Milan players were clearly shaken up by what they had seen. Ronaldo was immediately rushed to hospital where tests revealed that he had completely severed the tendon in his left knee. The 31-year-old has already suffered this injury twice before, first in 1998 and then in 2000. In total these kept him out of the game for the best part of three years. With this in mind, and also considering the fact that reports yesterday suggested that he was already considering retirement at the end of the season, it seems highly likely that the great career of Ronaldo has come to an end. Sad, if he is forced to retire, to see such a great player bow out like that! __________________

02-14-2008, 01:52 AM	#3 (permalink)
lions Graphics Moderator Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: sunny kent Posts: 620 Thanks: 8 Thanked 12 Times in 12 Posts	Has been a major factor in teams being winners over the years,and it would a great shame for the guy to bow out in this fashion,from a lustrous career that deserves a greater exit than this maybe. __________________ In Life we dream,but in Football we beleive [quote:kate_wwfc] You made a wolves sig look fantastic your now a legend! Lions the Legend!

02-15-2008, 07:32 PM	#7 (permalink)
lions Graphics Moderator Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: sunny kent Posts: 620 Thanks: 8 Thanked 12 Times in 12 Posts	No return Unfortunately i can't see the once majestic player coming back a third time round myself.He's 31 facing at least 9 months on the side-lines and thats only if he doesnt do what he did 8 years back and end up out the game for 20 more months....so sorry to say it i think the world of football has seen the last the player on a pitch.."shakehead2" __________________ In Life we dream,but in Football we beleive [quote:kate_wwfc] You made a wolves sig look fantastic your now a legend! Lions the Legend!

02-18-2008, 04:13 PM	#10 (permalink)
'Chopper' Semi-Pro Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Norwich, "A fine city! .... full of inbreds! Posts: 722 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts Nominees Submitted: 0 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts Has Not Won Any TOTM Yet	Out of contract. The fat boy will be out of contract at the end of the season so if he does return to football it'll be off his own back as he'll not have a club to take care of his rehab. Paying for a physio and fitness trainer isn't exactly a problem but one-on-one rehab isn't the same as working with a squad of players. No, I think he'll turn to media work within a few weeks and call it a day when his contract is up."oldboy" __________________ There *ARE* two teams in Edinburgh, Hearts .......... and Hearts reserves!

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

02-14-2008, 12:43 AM	#2 (permalink)
Catman Grassroots Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 26 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Nominees Submitted: 0 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts Has Not Won Any TOTM Yet	It's a shame but he did very well off of football so good luck to the lad.

02-14-2008, 08:13 AM	#4 (permalink)
ANTON Banned Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: worcestershire Posts: 1,462 Thanks: 4 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts Nominees Submitted: 0 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts Has Not Won Any TOTM Yet	He was the greatest player in the world , and its a shame to see this happen to such a good player. Hope he can recover.

02-16-2008, 04:58 PM	#8 (permalink)
Villa Hot Prospect Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: In your Garden Shed ''St Andrews to you lot'' Posts: 233 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts Nominees Submitted: 0 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts Has Not Won Any TOTM Yet	I'll echo what Lions said about him not returning to the game A great shame for a true footballing icon - the things he could do with a football was pure quality - not many rated him towards the World Cup but it just shown that class was permanant and temp the way he answered them IMO he come back a much stronger player when he come back the last time - but he won't come back this time i'm afraid

02-16-2008, 08:52 PM	#9 (permalink)
theblues08 Grassroots Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 17 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Nominees Submitted: 0 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts Has Not Won Any TOTM Yet	Not a nice way to end your career obviously would hope somehow he could come back from it, even just to sign off from football in a better way.