Filed under: São Paulo State Championship | Tags: AC Milan, Barcelona, Corinthians, Cruzeiro, Inter Milan, Neymar, Pelé, Real Madrid, Ronaldo, Santos, Soccer legends, Vila Belmiro, World Cup
From his box at Vila Belmiro, Santos FC’s home ground, Pelé was hoping to watch his beloved team and its new star Neymar beat Corinthians in the first leg of the Campeonato Paulista (São Paulo State League) final. But what the King of Football saw was another brilliant exhibition of Ronaldo, who scored two goals and led his side to a 3-1 victory. Ronaldo’s second goal was such a beauty that deserved a special comment from Pelé.
“That goal was World Cup class. Ronaldo made the difference. He has proven he is back and fit again,” said football’s all-time greatest, who arrived at Vila Belmiro bragging he had not seen Santos lose any home match in more than three years.
Ronaldo has scored eight goals in ten matches for Corinthians and he is very close to win his first trophy at his new club – and his first piece of silverware in Brazilian football since the Campeonato Mineiro (Minas Gerais State League) for Cruzeiro in 1994 when he was only 17. Corinthians now holds a two-goal advantage over Santos ahead of the second leg on Sunday.
The man of the match himself was cautious as he believes it is too early to celebrate. With a history of long recoveries during a career plagued by knee injuries, Ronaldo has got used to waiting. Once again written off as finished he is just a week away of one more amazing comeback.
“To be king for a day in the stadium where Pelé scored so many of his goals is great. I am proud and happy that I did my best to help the team. But we still have 90 minutes to play,” said the former Inter Miland, Barcelona, Real Madrid and AC Milan striker.
Santos manager Vagner Mancini refused to admit the home defeat put an end to their title hopes but he acknowledges his side has a mountain to climb after Ronaldo’s performance.
“Corinthians did not have many chances, but when they did the ball went to Ronaldo’s feet. He is a genius and his second goal showed that. If it were anyone else, that goal would not have happened,” said Mancini.
Related news on FC Brazil: Ronaldo’s road to recovery: ‘What a pace, Gordo!’
Filed under: São Paulo State Championship | Tags: AC Milan, Barcelona, Corinthians, Football legends, Inter Milan, PSV Eindhoven, Real Madrid, Ronaldo, Soccer legends, World Cup
Ronaldo scoring a goal is hardly a reason to stop the presses. But the Phenomenon latest blast made the headlines because of how it was done.
Ronaldo’s career was put in jeopardy back in February 2008 when he blew his left knee. Many thought that, at age 31 and having to face major reconstructive knee surgery, the 2002 World Cup leading scorer would choose what seemed to be the the logical way out and simply quit football.
However, once again Ronaldo defied logic. Despite all the struggle to lose weight and be in game shape, not only the former PSV, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Real Madrid and AC Milan striker came back to professional footbal, but he also came back to Brazil, to play for Corinthians.
Last Sunday, Ronaldo scored Corinthians second goal against São Paulo, putting the finishing touch on a 2-0 win that propelled his team to the São Paulo state championship finals, where they will face Santos.
The goal came with Ronaldo’s usual soft touch. What was unexpected, though, was the fact that Ronaldo outpaced defender Rodrigo to the ball before slotting the shot past goalkeeper Bosco.
It was such an amazing run that Corinthians’ manager Mano Menezes joked with Ronaldo when they were celebrating the goal: “Que velocidade, gordo!” (“What a pace, fatty!), he said, refering to Ronaldo’s (in)famous bout with the weight scale.
After the match, Ronaldo took a shot at one São Paulo director who said he was an “ex-player”, by saying: “There is always some j****** talking some b*******. Let’s see if he shows up now to say anything.”
Related news on FC Brazil: Ronaldo’s goal delights Pelé: ‘World Cup class. He is back’
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