Just when you thought Ronaldo's goal-scoring days were behind him, the Brazilian legend is back at it again, scoring at will.
The World Cup's all-time leading scorer notched two goals on Wednesday to help Corinthians tie Ponte Preta, 2-2. One goal was on a penalty kick, but Ronaldo's second goal flashed some of the skill that made him one of the best strikers in the history of the game.
Here are his two goals:
Ronaldo has enjoyed some success since returning from major knee surgery, but is still a shell of the player who dominated Europe for so many years.
Here is the question for you. Think he could still make his way to MLS? Would you want your team to take a chance on him? Think he's washed up, or do you see him making a return to Europe one day?
Share your thoughts below.
It seems the whole world only saw his goal against FIERCE rivals Palmeiras. Take a look at his best moves during this game.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFUsvpsamn0
Palmeiras and Corinthians are leading the Paulista Championship, maybe you don’t know a lot about this championship but I’ll give you a list of players who shine in it:
Pele, Rivelino, Tevez, Kaka, Roberto Carlos, Cafu, Rivaldo, Robinho, Ze Roberto, Gamarra, Careca and other legends of football (or soccer, if you prefer).
Win… I’m still not following your argument. I would take a 400lb striker if he’s averaging a goal a game.
I don’t think any sane person believes Ronaldo will return to the player he was before all the injuries, however a striker’s job is to score, and it appears he’s still capable of doing that.
I don’t know if he can do it in MLS, however if DC United decided to use a DP slot on him, I can’t say i’d be upset.
I’m one of the biggest Ronaldo fans there are out there but ….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbQIe8Dw0hU
2:46 is all you need to know of how Ronaldo would do in MLS.
everyone’s missing the main point. it isn’t what he can bring on the field; it’s what he can bring off the field that counts.
is he a leader? does he step up the workouts? the intensity? is he a good mentor? like Juan Pablo Angel – stepping it up for all around him.
if Ronaldo can’t be that leader, then drop him, no matter how good he is on the field.
For comparison sake I would like to bring up Blanco. Despite being older Blanco is way more fit than Ronaldo. And believe me, it pains me to say that he’s fitter than anyone. Yet everyone (maybe not all of you) is saying that Blanco should go ahead and leave the Fire or retire. I’m pretty sure Blanco could have scored on both of the opportunities shown here.
Yeah Ronaldo has been injured more often than Blanco, but the fact that it was beyond him to keep his weight under control while recovering or even while actually playing speaks loads about his motivation, and We all know unmotivated players never succede in MLS
I think he could still round into great form but it will take another year or so of hard work. I’d take him over Luciano Emilio in a heartbeat.
Win,
I’m not necessarily on board to bring Ronaldo to MLS, however you’re not sure why Corinthians is playing him? He has 4 goals in I believe 4 or 5 games. I’d take that production from any striker.
He’s obviously not the player he once was, but lets not forget that when Ronaldo was in top form, he was arguably the greatest striker to ever play. A step or two below that is still a solid striker on a team. As long as he puts the ball in the back of the net, he’ll have a job somewhere.
He can play anywhere he wants, as long as he doesn’t cut that delicious chia ‘fro anytime soon.
There’s still a world-class player in there somewhere — whether or not it reappears is mostly a question of personal motivation. Not sure he will find that in MLS.
no way he leaves Brasil
Who says that’s an awful PK? Look at Ronaldo’s head. He watches the keeper move as he takes it. The keeper moves a bit, and Ronaldo calmly passes it the other way.
He’s still brilliant, and I’d love to have him in MLS, but he’s also injury prone now and that wouldn’t be good. If he wasn’t injury prone, he’s still be at a top club in Europe.
We are talking about RONALDO. One of the greatest players to every step onto the pitch. Someone above said “$350,000 sounds about right to me.” That is so far from being right.
Ronaldo will command a very large salary if he were to come to MLS. I think we’d see bigger than Blanco money. Probably $3-4 million a year. I don’t care if people say he’s fat or out of shape. A fat Ronaldo did extremely well at the 2006 World Cup. The guy still has 3-5 good years left.
why not? im sure he could help someone… he’d look great in an la galaxy shirt.
Ronaldo would need to loose at least 25 pounds to be competitive. I just don’t see him being a quality player anymore. All you’d have to do is man mark him and he would never score outside of PKs. I don’t care if this guy is a legend it’s a shame Corinthians is playing him.
Keep that washed up Tranny chaser away from my league. BTW guys, 5 games do not make a season, lets see how his knees fare.
RK, you have no idea what you’re talking about. Scoring a PK like that is not easy. It’s much harder than just hammering the ball. You have to wait until the keeper chooses a side before you place the ball. split second decision – very difficult.
too many people posting here must be too young to have seen Ronaldo playing in the 90’s and first half of this decade. And certainly most people have no idea how well he’s already come back from two catastrophic injuries. I have no doubt he will regain enough form this time around to be effective. MLS would be lucky to have him here for the next 2-3 years, but it probably wont happen… sadly.
Lu
Ronaldo is just regaining fitness. If he keeps improving then he will probably be the best striker in the Brasilerao this year – a league that MLS teams would currently struggle in.
His ability to finish, even as a slow moving penguin is better than anything we have seen in the USA. His tally of 4 goals in 5 games(3 starts) over the last few weeks can attest to that.
That was an awful PK. He got lucky.
Posted by: RK | March 26, 2009 at 10:58 AM
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you don’t even know what you’re looking at do you?
Whoa, did anyone else notice that Ronaldo spanks the keepers ass after he scores the first goal? What a dick? He literally whipped that keep’s ass!
Is he currently playing for Brazil or is he done with? That would tell us most of what we need to know.
The US has made that mistake before, don’t do it again. No more over the hill, washed up players. Go with the young players and let’s make our own great players.
Between his age, his injury risk, his motivational risk, and the risk that he really messes up a team’s morale, I don’t see any MLS team taking a chance on him. Certainly not for DP money.
Plus, why would he want to come end his career in MLS unless the money was REALLY good? He could play horribly in Brazil for years and still be a hero to the fans, and rightfully so.
When there are no more fake plastic pitches in MLS. They hurt everybody, particularly the age advanced.
Maybe MLS will be interested…then he can hurt his knee again. But at least the tranny fan base will come out for the games.
this guy no matter what will never lose his nose for goal even when he turns 100.
maybe the Red Bull should sign him, then they might actually score a goal! ha!
NO, he shouldn’t come to MLS. If he doesn’t come that will keep my Hoops from adding another aged Brazilian who might do some ball tricks, but nothing more.
Hes still got it… a healthy, lighter Ronaldo is in the top 4 strikers in the MLS… PERIOD! I name a bunch of MLS clubs that would love to have him even for just 2 years.
I don’t know why anyone would think his goal-scoring days would be at an end. Say what you want about his work ethic or conditioning or injuries, bottom line is look at his goals per game at any point in his career. That ratio was always good, no matter what.
Did you guys see his first goal for Corinthians? It was a header and I think his vertical jump was about an inch.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSdT7QZy9s8
I pains me to see his current form, but I think we are very lucky to live in an age where he has been documented when playing at his highest level.
If you are a lover of this beautiful sport, you can never get tired of watching one of the best players in the history of the game.
For that I thank you Ronaldo. Now it is time to hang them up.
That was an awful PK. He got lucky.
i’m excited for him and hope he gets even better. i liked that second goal
He has stated that he wants to stay in Brazil (not return to Europe or anywhere else) and that’s exactly what he should do. There is no chance Dunga would choose him for WC 2010 if he came to play in MLS.
Ronaldo would not play infront of 11k fans. The man is a legend and the all time leading WC goal scorer and is still only 31 or 32.
he’ll bring the crowds, its just a matter of him wanting to live in the US
NO MORE OLD PLAYERS!!!!!
Teams need to concentrate on the next Fredy Montero, and Nyassi brothers: talented youth. Not washed up players who spend their free time gourging on food and banging hookers.
Wow, he looks really slow even in the highlights
Moving at the speed of a snail. Could you imagine what would happen to his motivation if he came to MLS and played in front of those massive audiences of 11,000 fans during weekday games in Dallas (or Giants Stadium) in July??? The guy would baloon to 250 lbs.
Well said Thomas315.
What kind of ball do they play with in Brazil? It looks like the nerf ball that I lost on top of my grade school.
I’d love to see him in MLS. Any person I know who has seen him live says that even in hit fattest days he was incredible to watch. Line him up with JPA to open Red Bull Arena.
I wouldn’t mind seeing him come to MLS, maybe Philly’s 1st DP or something. But the artificial turf in some locales may really take a toll on him, not to mention the underestimated physicality of the game here. Either way, it’s good to see him scoring again, a childhood hero of mine for sure.
The only Ronaldo I want in MLS is Christiano. It is time to move passed being an outlet for the washed up masses.
i’d like to see him in MLS, but preferably not for DP money. $350,000 sounds about right to me.
a late night fox soccer channel exclusive! the legends of soccer all you can eat team. ugh. imagine him taking that pk anywhere but in brazil? never happen.