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| Monday 5 May, 2008 |
| Blog: Time for the hook? |
| Surely the latest sorry chapter in Ronaldo's San Siro story spells the end of his career in Italy. Steve Wilson looks at Il Fenomeno's fall from grace |
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It feels like the 100th time I have written this, but surely this time will be the last. There can be no more serious consideration of Ronaldo as a viable protagonist at Milan next season. We were all surprised when against the odds he finally found the fitness to make a return for the Rossoneri earlier this season and we all felt sorry for him when he suffered yet another injury setback. But has he earned this loyalty from his own Milan fans - has he really given them enough in return for the backing they, and the club, have given him?
I doubted on his comeback whether he would be of any use to Carlo Ancelotti's side, I suspected that his best days were a long way behind him and that his misfortune with injuries would surely rear its head again. I take no pleasure in having been proved right, but what I did find unusual was how much support there was from the tifosi for the famous No 9. His seven goals in 14 games in 2006-07 were impressive, but had he really done enough in the Rossonero shirt to warrant such feverish loyalty?
Part of me hoped he would come back to Italy and recapture his best form, and I sense that feeling was behind the more vocal supporters; defence of the errant Brazilian. However, can those same people still be standing by their man? The pictures of him at a carnival dressed like a Latin American Austin Powers and the latest sensational stories involving the three Brazilian transvestite prostitutes - no it's not a gag, there is no punchline - don't suggest he has his mind entirely on getting back in shape for the new campaign in Serie A.
Yes, it may be his private life, and who are we to judge, but does he not have a responsibility to Milan to keep his head down and his nose clean while he is recovering from his injury? If he thinks these kind of shenanigans are okay there can really be no place for him in the Diavolo's future plans, especially when they have such a talented gem as Alexandre Pato on their books. The youngster looks up to Ronaldo but, while he can certainly learn from videos of him playing for Inter, as a social mentor he would be a disaster.
Ronnie has even stated that he would rather stay in Brazil and play for Flamengo while he recuperates. That may be a wise choice, rather than jumping straight back into the hurly-burly of Serie A. But on the other hand, shouldn't he be getting himself in shape at Milanello and remaining part of the squad at San Siro rather than doing his own thing on the other side of the world. It doesn't seem very loyal to me, and surely his last defenders at Milan must now relinquish their faith in him.
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