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Ronaldo confirms plans to play for NASL Strikers

Ronaldo-Getty

By MATT STYPULKOSKI

Ronaldo is coming out of retirement to play for the Fort Lauderdale Strikers. It just may take a while for it to actually happen.

The Brazilian, who purchased a stake in the club in December, has not played in four years, but confirmed Tuesday he plans to return to the pitch as a player if the Strikers enter the post season.

“It’s going to happen,” Ronaldo told The Guardian. “I have already said so. But it’s going to be a bit later, in the playoffs.”

The NASL playoffs are hosting in November, when Ronaldo could return, assuming the Strikers qualify. Last season, Fort Lauderdale earned the fourth seed in the championship and advanced to the Soccer Bowl, before falling to the San Antonio Scorpions.

In the interim, Ronaldo will focus on getting fit. Since retiring, he has been known to struggle with his weight and the striker went so far as to appear on a Brazilian weight-loss TV show in 2012.

“For now, we are organizing it all, but I am going to have a [weight] goal,” Ronaldo said.

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What do you think of this report? Think Ronaldo should come out of retirement and play in NASL? Will he still be able to contribute?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. This guy is one of the greatest players ever. I have never seen a pure scorer as “El Phenmenao”. When he had the ball near the box you could only hope he missed. A true dominant force.

    As for the NASL appearance.. man I think its cool. He is a legend. If he can get in shape to play 25 min. It be fun for the fans. Im sure he can school those amateurs. You guys underestimate his greatness, im sure his accuracy, vision and ball skills are MILES AND MILES AND MILES ahead of anyone on the opponents team.

    Reply
    • Agreed. This guy was on 3 straight World Cup finals teams (two wins) and scored goals like it was nothing in La Liga and Serie A. I know he is beyond his prime, but is in that tier of greatest players just below Pele and Maradona.

      Reply
  2. Wow…..I think u goofs forget how good this guy was. All he needs is the ball at his feet…..shots will be on frame…..passes will be unbelievable. If they place him up top and have a couple young guys run around like whackos, plenty of goals will come. Don’t be surprised to see him long b4 the playoffs.

    Reply
  3. The whole new ownership for the Strikers has been an embarrassment. They let a bunch of good players go to Tampa and haven’t replaced them. Now this fat clown thinks he can just show up in November. Even Traffic were better owners and they sucked! Too bad Miami doesn’t want Beckham. We need a team!

    Reply
  4. He is going to get his butt handed to him.

    Anyone that thinks after 4 years of retirement he can come in and then only play the playoffs, is not taking the league seriously. Add to that, every guy will be gunning for him….As such, he will get crushed…if it even happens.

    If he takes it serious, ok he is only 38….

    Reply
      • No. This is just sad. Truly, genuinely pathetic. 38 years old and seemingly out of shape. I’m not an NASL hater. I wish them luck, but this is a bad move for that team and the league.

      • MLS is not the league rolling out Raul who couldnt even score in Arabia and is clearly done as a player. MLS players need to be at a certain level now.

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