Partners: GoodsFromJapan | JapanVisitor | PortugalVisitor

Ronaldo makes big impression at new club Corinthians

Tim Sturtridge on Ronaldo

Ronaldo was left in the starting blocks by his new team-mates at Corinthians' pre-season training camp.

The three times FIFA Player of the Year offered up little signs of having the stomach for the challenges ahead as he performed sluggishly in both resistance and speed work exercises. In fact, Ronaldo came out last of the 28 strong squad assembled in Sao Paulo.

Hardly a dream start for the player who was welcomed by 6,000 fans in full carnival mode with fireworks and rolls of paper when he was officially unveiled last month.

The hope is that the World Cup winners' goals can fire his latest employers to victory in the Copa Libertadores for the first time and that is why Corinthians have shelled out the big bucks.

The club tabled a one-year deal with the option of another year and a clause stating Ronaldo may cancel the contract anytime he sees fit. The 32-year-old gobbled up the $169,000 a month pay packet which puts his team-mates' earnings in the shade.

However, the striker does not expect jealously from the other players as he tucks into his pay packet.

"I'm just another player, with the same rights and duties. I will not have any type of privilege. I'm going to carry immense responsibility. I'm sure people will demand more of me in training and in matches. Ronaldo said before reiterating his commitment to the club.

"I'm not going to run away. I will honour the Corinthians shirt from start to finish."

The former PSV striker was quick to dismiss the idea that he was hankering after a final trip on the gravy train of European football. The Brazilian told TV station Globo Esporte that he was returning home for good and had recently chewed over a move to Serie A side Siena and promptly spat it out.

Ronaldo has not played since he broke down last February whilst playing for AC Milan in a 1-1 draw with Livorno. Few saw a way back for the man with 62 goals for Brazil after the third major knee injury of his career.

He is being helped in this latest quest for fitness by specialist coach Flavio de Oliveira who was philosophical about the outcome of the pre-season training camp with Corinthians.

"We always knew Ronaldo wouldn't fare as good as the other players," de Oliveira is quoted as saying in Il Corriere Dello Sport. "However, he will get better with time and we are sure of this. He just needs plenty of training to recover from his injury."

Ronaldo, who has not represented Brazil since the 2006 World Cup, made it clear that he will not be rushed back ahead of schedule and concedes that he has a lot on his plate.

"The supporters must understand I will not hurry back onto the pitch. I must respect the timetable set by the doctors. I'm coming back from a very serious accident , that usually requires a year and three months. I am concentrating on gaining muscle strength and losing weight."

Previous to signing with Corinthians the leading scorer in World Cup history had been rehabbing with Flamengo, the club he supported as a boy while growing up in Rio de Janeiro. Fans of Flamengo are still up in arms that Ronaldo defected to their great rivals but it was Corinthians who put their money were their month was and offered a deal.

"I still have to pay for my bread every day," The former FC Barcelona and Real Madrid player said in defence of the move and assured he was no traitor to Flamengo.

Ronaldo's fall from the top echelons of the game has parallels with his new club's recent slump. In 2004 Corinthians signed a multi-million dollar partnership with London based Media Sports Investments (MSI) and brought in big names such as Javier Mascherano and Carlos Tevez.

A league championship in 2005 followed but as the deal MSI unraveled players left like rats from a sinking ship and the team were relegated in 2007.

Under coach Mano Menezes the club has managed to bounce back and now find themselves back in the top-flight with a two-time Ballon D'Or winner among their ranks.

Corinthians president Andres Sanchez fully expects Ronaldo to finish his career with the Sao Paulo club. Sanchez sees the hitman as the catalyst for a turnaround in fortunes on and off the pitch.

"The player really is the saviour and answer to all of our problems. Within one month, we have sold some more than three million Ronaldo jerseys," said the team president.

Sanchez is hopeful that having signed the striker he can enjoy a mini 'Beckham effect' on the club's popularity around the world, raising their profile in the Chinese, Asian and Arab markets. The president also has other far reaching ambitions, he aims to convert the team's training facility at Sao Jorge Park into a mega complex where Corinthians will play their home games.

"Ronaldo is the focus of our innovating program. The department of marketing at Corinthians was sleeping." Sanchez said.

So the stage is set for Ronaldo to resurrect his stellar career and only one question remains, has he still got the appetite?

"The Onside In-Site" Copyright © From 2000. All rights reserved. Soccerphile Ltd.