SA Blog Number 7: Ronaldo´s Last Chance
9th October 2009
With Brazil having secured their World Cup place with three games to spare, their two fixtures this week -against Bolivia and Venezuela- are a chance for Dunga to experiment. The Selecao coach has already confirmed that he will make drastic changes on Sunday due to the problematic altitude of La Paz, Bolivia.
The strikers: Luis Fabiano, Adriano, Nilmar and Diego Tardelli, have been selected for both games on merit. One man that will be watching with a keen interest is Ronaldo, and I don’t mean that Portuguese impostor. Since returning to Brazil with Corinthians last December, Ronaldo has hit 18 goals in 29 games, a record that has caught the attention of the hierarchy at Brazil´s football headquarters.
With Adriano and Luis Fabiano both certain to be on the plane to South Africa, Ronaldo´s focus over the coming months will be proving to Dunga that he is a better option than either Nilmar or Diego Tardelli. Ronaldo, of course, knows what it feels like to sit out a World Cup; well, on the bench at least. Speaking after the 1994 World Cup, when he was an unused sub, the striker said: ´´It was difficult not to play. But I learned a lot from Romario and Bebeto. They were on top of their games.´´ Ironically, on this occasion, making the bench would be a dream come true for R9. This is certainly his last chance.
During his illustrious career, Dunga played as a ´volante´ and the captain of that victorious 1994 World Cup team has lost none of the ruthlessness that made him Brazil´s midfield enforcer, he still maintains a devotion to team ethics. Dunga´s comments ahead of the Bolivia game showed his adherence to perfection and professionalism. Even though the game is meaningless, Dunga is still approaching it in the same stringent manner that served him well throughout the campaign; leaving no details to chance.
"We will select a team with good physical conditioning” he said, “mixing experience with quality. I will talk to all of the departments [coaching and medical staff] to assemble the side. We will have time until Friday to decide who have the best conditions. Brazil have to use their technical quality. The altitude is difficult for both teams, but if we talk a lot about that [the high altitude] we will be left with something physiological which will be difficult to overcome."
When Dunga took over from Carlos Alberto Parreira in 2006 following a disastrous World Cup in Germany, he attempted to end the playboy culture of the national team, and Ronaldo was not only dropped from the starting line-up but from the squad altogether and hasn´t been selected since. From that moment, Dunga has turned Brazil into a ruthless winning machine - undefeated since June 2008 and with the best defence in South America. He places emphasis on the collective, rather than the individual.
That leaves one thing for certain, anyone selected for his final squad will be there on merit. Dunga will not take chances. When asked about Ronaldinho´s exclusion recently, he replied: "I would love to have Ronaldinho back at the team. But that´s not up to me, that´s up to him. It depends on how much he wants it and how fit he is." This is also the case for Ronaldo. The striker has recently returned to action following a hand injury three weeks ago, and scored in the Paulista derby against Sao Paulo. However, on Wednesday the Corinthians manager, Mano Menezes, omitted him from the squad for their game against Fluminense to ‘work on his fitness levels’.
Fitness is one area where Ronaldo and Ronaldinho differ- the great number nine is actually trying to get in shape. He retains the same grit and determination that helped him recover from the horrific knee injuries he suffered during his time in Italy. He is in the gym everyday and even getting liposuction to remove excess fat (whilst it has never been proven, it is widely believed that Ronaldo suffers from a glandular problem, making him prone to stacking excess weight).
There is a huge incentive for everyone involved with the Corinthians club next year. In 2010, Timão celebrate their centenary, and thanks to success in this season´s Copa Do Brasil, they have Copa Libertadores football. The highest level of club football in South America is a chance for Ronaldo to showcase his talent to Dunga, the Brazilian public and the entire continent.
What lies ahead between now and June will be a big challenge for Ronaldo. Although, it’s worth remembering he is no stranger to adversity. He had a fit in the team hotel the night before the 1998 World Cup Final, one so bad it sent Roberto Carlos running down the corridor screaming “he’s dead, he’s dead”, yet showed great courage in begging Mario Zagallo to select him and eventually played against France. He has suffered many injuries, each time being written off, but he always came back. Last year, critics thought he was returning to Brazil for a final payday, to become a part-time footballer, living the high life. And of course, they could have been forgiven for such an opinion following the unfortunate incident with the transvestites. Even then, many expected him to cower away from the ruthless fans on the terraces of Brazil´s Serie A. Did he shy away? Not a chance. Not Ronaldo.
Of course Ronaldo isn´t the same player he was five or ten years ago. Gone are the dazzling step-overs, the breath taking speed, the samba like hip movements- components that left the world´s top defenders terrified. What remains still, however, is that ice-cold, deadly instinct in front of goal. The skill that helped contribute to ´R9´s´ 15 World Cup goals- making him the highest scorer ever in the competition. Ronaldo also has experience at the highest level, on the biggest stage, and he knows how to win international football´s greatest prize - a valuable trait to have in any dressing room.
Last week, Ricardo Teixeira, the president of the Brazilian Football Association(CBF), backed Ronaldo to return, "Ronaldo is always in the plans (of the national team), as long as he is in the same form as in 2002, when he starred in the World Cup." With a friendly against England coming up in November, and depending on form and weight loss, we could once again see, in my opinion, the greatest player ever, in the famous Selecao kit once more.
B. Maxwell.
Follow us on Twitter - @MaxwellSAF @SouthAmFooty
Qualifying is back this weekend and it´s going to a massive few days for Argentina, Ecuador, Colombia, Uruguay, Venezuela and Chile, who will be fighting it out for the final three qualification spots. Make sure you check out www.southamericanfootball.co.uk for all the latest team news and match reports over the next week or so.
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Dano
:::2009-10-09 22:36:49
I really hope Ronaldo does make it, he is one of the greatest players the game has ever seen!!
Can´t wait for this weekends qualifiers, would be crazy if Argentina don´t make it to South Africa.
How have Brazil prepared for the altitude?
B. Maxwell@southamericanfootball.co.uk
:::2009-10-10 04:04:09
Hi Dano. Brazil will travel to altitude just hours before the game- as most countries do. They are currently at their Granja Comary training base and the players being monitored closely by the medical team. Dunga said he will select the 11 he thinks are in the best physical shape to cope with the conditions. With the current club calendar, it´s impossible for the players to get the time to properly adapt to altitude. This usually takes three-four weeks. Going just hours before the game isn´t ideal, but it´s the best option medically. Not even the great perfectionist Dunga can cheat science.
B. Maxwell@southamericanfootball.co.uk
:::2009-10-10 19:45:56
Slight worry Ronaldo fans. The big man is suffering from tendonitis in his knee. Although, he is fit enough to start tonight.
http://www.southamericanfootball.co.uk/files/articles.php?article_id=582
Will the real Glasgow Rangers please stand up
:::2009-10-11 16:02:13
If Ronaldo were to make the squad i would be delighted! he is sucha quality player, and has showed he is a true great by overcoming such hampering and psychologically damaging injuries. Just look at his club history, Cruziero, PSV, Barcelona, Inter, Real Madrid, A.C.Milan and Corinthians......SUPERSTAR RONALDO!!
I cant wait for R9, el fenomino to increase his world cup tally in South Africa.
Soapy
:::2009-10-12 12:02:42
I hope R9 makes it. It would be a great international swan song for one of the true greats of world football.
I just wish Ronaldinho wanted it too. Just imagine a Brazil team with Ronaldo, Luis Fabiano, Kaka, Ronaldinho, Diego. Its the stuff footballing dreams are made of!
Ronaldinho could have been remembered as one of the best ever. As it is, he´s just another "should´ve been".
Will the real Glasgow Rangers please stand up
:::2009-10-12 20:09:59
YO soapy, Ronaldinho is not a ´should´ve been´. He has won the Champions League with Barcelona FC, World Cup Winner at under 17 level, senior level, Confederations cup winner, Copa America winner and won a bronze at the Olympics.
He has also played for PSG, Barcelona and A.C.Milan.
to end on a quote.... as Marcus does!
"On the field, He is simply a magician" - Frank Rijkard
Much Love
Soapy
:::2009-10-13 13:29:04
I see your point and im not disputing what he has won, but the ability he has, he should still be the best. He is at an age where he should be at his peak, physically.
He shouldnt be the unfit, out of shape player struggling for Milan that we see week in, week out.
He was the best in the world for a year. Maybe two at Barcelona, no doubt.
He should be talked about as one of the best ever. Not someone who could have been the best ever.
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