FORMER BRAZIL STRIKER Ronaldo has said he will get back in shape with a view to a sensational return to football with Fort Lauderdale Strikers in the USA.
Ronaldo recently became a minority owner with the Florida club and has said today that he will “train a lot , and if the coach needs me, maybe [return to playing].”
The 1996, 1997 and 2002 world player of the year has not taken to the field since retiring while at Corinthians in 2011.
The World Cup winner became somewhat of comedy act in his final years as he struggled with his weight and couldn’t perform to the immensely high standards that he once did. He admitted that it will not be easy to return to fitness.
“I love to play. That was my big love. But when I retired, it was because of my body. I had so much pain and so many injuries. It isn’t easy to get fit. I will try. I will train a lot.”
Fort Lauderdale play in America’s second-tier North American Soccer League, in which they will get their season started on 4 April against New York Cosmos.
The attract average crowds of just over 3,000 but Ronaldo is confident that, with the connections of the club’s Brazilian owners, they can attract better players to the club.
“We want to have all the best players,” Ronaldo said. “But we don’t have the money yet. We have a budget.”
