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Nine years after last playing a full match for Brazil and four years after having given up professional football for good, Brazilian legend Ronaldo has said that he is aiming to regain fitness to take the field again for Fort Lauderdale Strikers in the American 2nd division. The three-time FIFA World Player of the Year was speaking to reporters at a press conference after becoming a minority stakeholder in the North American Soccer League(NASL) club based in Florida.
Ronaldo, winner of two World Cups and two Ballon d’Or awards, told reporters with a smile, “I will try to play some games. This year I want to train a lot. The last three years I didn’t because I was too busy in other stuff.”
Asked about a possible comeback, the 38-year old said, “To play a soccer game you have to be in very good shape. I will try for myself, it’s another challenge, I am sure it will help the league, help the team.
“I will train a lot, and if the (coach) needs me, maybe,”
“Maybe if we get to the final and I’m feeling good, why not? I will put my name in.”
Ronaldo has scored 62 international goals for Brazil spread over a period of 12 years, and 352 domestic goals for clubs like Barcelona, Inter Milan, Real Madrid and AC Milan, but is aiming for a difficult feat after having announced his retirement as a Corinthians player in February 2011.
Can never be a manager: Ronaldo
“I can’t be a manager, because I think it’s too tough managing 30 players thinking in different ways. Being an owner is a new challenge for me.
“I’ve been working a lot in different things. Last year I was involved in the World Cup as a member of the organizing board, and I was also commentating matches during the World Cup for TV Globo. And now it’s a great opportunity to manage as an owner of a great team.”
On why he picked Fort Lauderdale Strikers, Ronaldo said, “This team is a team with history, tradition.”
George Best, Gordon Banks and Gerd Mueller had played for the club in the 1970s. This, however, is the most tangible brush with greatness the Strikers have had in many long years.
