The great Ronaldo looks to be finished

[Chris]

Still capable of dismantling teams on his own as he's shown on the few occasions he's been fit at Milan but this looks like the end.

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/feb13r.html

Milan have now confirmed Ronaldo has completely severed the tendon in his left knee, effectively ending his career.

The striker collapsed as he jumped to reach a cross during tonight’s 1-1 draw with Livorno and immediately the situation seemed to be serious.

His teammates waved for medical staff and called for a substitution as he was stretchered off the field in tears.

Ronaldo was rushed to a local hospital to undergo tests and initial reports suggesting he had completely severed the tendon were confirmed on the official Rossoneri website.

Ronnie has already suffered this type of injury twice before in 1998 and 2000, but that was in his right knee.

As there was talk of a possible retirement at the end of this season, if the diagnosis is confirmed then it is likely Ronaldo’s career is over.

An injury of this type requires a player to be out of action for between nine months and a year.

[Red_Polo]

That is very sad. Been an absolutely phenomenal player, even after all the injuries.

[-V-]

Im stunned that he actually played today.

He was supposed to be doing his recovery and taking his time. I wonder if they rushed him back.

He was great a long time ago

[Lee]

What a horrible, horrible ending to what was once an outstanding player

[-V-]

13 HOURS AGO- Ronaldo Is Back & Is Not Retiring – Ancelotti


Milan boss Carlo Ancelotti has dismissed rumours that Ronaldo will be retiring and will name him on the substitutes bench for tonight’s game with Livorno.



Reports were circulating in Italy yesterday that El Fenomeno’s constant injury problems had depressed him so much that he was considering hanging up his boots at the end of the season.

The 31-year-old picked up another physical problem during the weekend clash with Siena, however it seems that this was not as serious as first thought and he will be on the bench for tonight’s Serie A match with Livorno at San Siro.

"You'd have to ask him [about retirement]," said Ancelotti.

"In any case, he appears fit to me and hasn't said anything else."

“On Sunday he was not in the best condition to play, if I had other possibilities I wouldn't have sent him on the pitch. Paloschi from the first minute was excessive in my opinion, so not to charge him too much.

“On Sunday I appreciated Ronie's will to help out, despite the fact that he wasn't in good condition.”

Ronaldo’s contract is set to run out at the end of the season, and Ancelotti has gone one step further and said that he will be offered a new deal providing he proves his fitness.

“If Ronaldo finds the right conditions, his contract will be renewed,” Carletto concluded.
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[-V-]

Ancelotti Defends Decision To Play Ronaldo

Carlo Ancelotti has defended the decision to play Ronaldo tonight after it was revealed that the Brazilian had a massage on his knee before the match

El Fenomeno collapsed in the penalty area following a cross, and was stretchered off the pitch in agony and floods of tears.

He was immediately taken to hospital where tests revealed that he has completely severed the tendon in his left knee.

"Investigations are going to be done at the hospital in the next few hours so we will know how this happened," said Ancelotti.

Before the game Ronaldo received a massage near the tendon which, presumably succumbed. Ancelotti was asked if this was related to the injury he picked up.

"No. I do not know what happened, if he played it meant that he was able to play. We are not that crazy," he blasted.

"We had practically no choice, because Ronaldo and Inzaghi had not yet 90 minutes in their legs, and didn’t have continuity.

“Ronaldo needed work to improve his condition. It was an obvious choice, given the absence of Seedorf, Kakà and Pato.”

There have been suggestions that fans could well have seen Ronaldo on the pitch for the very last time, as given his history of knee problems, the chances of a full recovery, sufficient to withstand match conditions again, is being deemed almost impossible.

There will surely be questions asked, as the massage indicates there was probable cause for worry, which was why the extra attempt was made to get the knee appropriately warmed up. That the problem occurred just three minutes after he came on, will surely leave plenty of doubts, as much for Ancelotti as the Milan medics to clear up.

[Maxiedge]

This is really sad. I used to idolise this guy.

I think he played in an era where pain injections and sponsorship came before the actual health of a player. Hopefully we can learn from this and progress.

R9

[bigfooty]

A real shame.

[AFII]

One of the best ever players and the best one the last 15 years, Zidane included.

[spud_gun]

In his pomp his was a wonderful player. Shame it had to end of this way for him.

[AFII]

Ancelloti and the physios deserves to be sacked. They put the club before the player and that should never happen.

[spud_gun]

Ancelloti and the physios deserves to be sacked. They put the club before the player and that should never happen.

And you know that for certain?

[AFII]

And you know that for certain?

There will surely be questions asked, as the massage indicates there was probable cause for worry, which was why the extra attempt was made to get the knee appropriately warmed up. That the problem occurred just three minutes after he came on, will surely leave plenty of doubts, as much for Ancelotti as the Milan medics to clear up.

That proves that they knew that he had a problem and that they gambled IMO.

[Joe King]

Could have been something even more special if it wasn't for his injuries.

I am of the opinion that because of his blistering speed, great athletism and so on, it unfortunately led to his downfall. A combination of possibly bad surgery, little recovery time has cut short one of the greatest Brazilian strikers of all time.

[-V-]

Same way Owen and Fowlers careers couldnt last till mid 30's. These guys who get brought in at 17 and play twice a week constantly can't last that long.

There are common factors in top players like them. They start too young, play too much, run incredibly fast and eventually their legs cant take it anymore

In my opinion Milan have been struggling and were without Pato and Kaka again tonight so they decided to rush Ronaldo again when he wasnt ready