Ronaldo dreams of playing in SA's World cup

Twice when perennial world champions Brazil went  to South Africa to play Bafana Bafana and Ronaldo was at the peak of his illustrious career, the player acclaimed as "The Phenomenon" was too big a catch to be lured there for what were friendly internationals.

Now, however, Ronaldo Luis Nazario de Lima, to give the full name of the three-times "World footballer of the Year", is intent on going to South Africa to play in the 2010 World Cup - and miraculously bringing about for a second time what the Oxford Dictionary terms "an extraordinary event that is not explainable by nature or scientific laws."

In 2000, while playing for Inter Milan, the now 32 year-old Ronaldo ruptured the rotula tendon in his right knee and it was widely feared he would never play soccer again.

But "The Phenomenon" defied all medical opinion by not only returning to the game, but emerging the top scorer at the 2002 World Cup - he is the World Cup's all-time top scorer with 15 goals - and regaining the prized title for Brazil for what was a record fifth time.

Now, after cruelly suffering a complete rupturing of the rotula tendon again - this time in his left leg - while playing for AC Milan in a Serie A game in February earlier this year and being confronted once more with the stark diagnosis he might never play serious soccer again, Ronaldo is seeking a second miracle by regaining his place as striker-in-chief in the Brazilian line-up and competing in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

If it is achieved - and the odds this time are stacked more heavily against him because of his age than when he previously found himself in a similar dilemma - it will be the fifth occasion Ronaldo has been selected for the World Cup Finals, with the opportunity, of course, of furthering the scoring record he holds for the competition.

His achievements have already placed him on a pedestal alongside the likes of other sporting greats like fellow-Brazilians soccer players Pele and Romario, golf's Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods, tennis's Pete Sampras and Roger Federer, cricket's Donald Bradman and Olympian Michael Phelps.

But miracles don't happen every day and apart from Ronaldo's two major knee mishaps, his career has since 2000 been plagued by injuries that have curtailed, if not halted his dynamic achievements.

Recent Bafana Bafana coach Carlos Alberto Parreira, who was at the helm of Brazil when they won the World Cup in 1994 and called up the 17 year-old Ronaldo for future experience, says the player's talents are so awesome that if there is no breakdown to his recuperation - he has not played since February, but plans a comeback in a benefit game next month - "The Phenomenon" could fulfil his final objective of playing in South Africa in 2010.

"If Ronaldo puts his mind to it and he is not hampered by injury problems," says Parreira, "he can do it and make a major impact at the World Cup."

Injuries aside, Ronaldo remains an incredibly prolific striker, boasting 278 goals from the 422 games he played for Cruzeiro, PSV Eindhoven, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Real Madrid and AC Milan - in addition to the spate of goals he has recorded at international level.

Could it be third time lucky for South African soccer fans to see Ronaldo in action this time? Don't count on it. The player's agent, for one, says Ronaldo will be taking "one step at a time."

The benefit game between a Ronaldo XI and a Zidane XI in Morocco on November 17 marks the first tentative step. Initially, it was felt he might be out of soccer for a year and playing again after nine months is a sign of some sort of progress.

His career, like many of the all-time sporting greats, has been highlighted by controversies - and who can forget the eerie 1998 World Cup Final at the Stade de Paris when Brazil were outright favourites to beat France before Ronaldo was struck down hours before the kick-off by what remains an unexplained illness.

Initially withdrawn from this pinnacle clash 30 minutes before kick-off, Ronaldo ultimately made an appearance while only a shadow of his true self as a demoralised Brazil team slumped to a shock 3-0 defeat.

But the great have to pay a price when it comes to publicity - and, as a footballer, no one can doubt Ronaldo's greatness.

"Certainly his presence would further enhance the 2010 World Cup," says Local Organising Committee CEO Danny Jordaan, "and we will view his progress towards another comeback with more than passing interest."

Sapa