Ronaldo eager to play on

ROME: AC Milan’s Brazilian striker Ronaldo insisted on Tuesday that he was determined to return to top-level football despite making a long and painful recovery from a knee injury.

The 31-year-old has ruled out retirement after undergoing surgery in February for a ruptured tendon in his left knee, stating that he still had an immense desire to play football. “I can’t yet imagine life without football,” the three-time FIFA world player said.

“During the first few weeks, I was destroyed, physically as well as morally,” he said. “Then things began to progress. I can now move after so much time being like a vegetable.

“There’s still a long way to go, maybe four months before starting to run, but the return will be quicker than the first time.

“During my last medical visit the doctors gave me all the hope and guarantees that I needed. Almost two months after the operation the left knee is much better than the right knee after my previous operation,” he said.