(Source: http://esporte.uol.com.br/futebol/campeonatos/libertadores/ultimas-noticias/2010/05/06/equipe-corintiana-sai-aplaudida-de-campo-ronaldo-agradece-torcida.jhtm)
One more time, the Libertadores dream is over in a traumatic way for Corinthians - one of the most popular soccer teams in Brazil, with around 30 million supporters. In the last times Corinthians played in the South American Libertadores Cup, the club was knocked out dramatically: in 1999 and 2000, knocked out by the rival Palmeiras; in 2003 and 2006, eliminated by the Argentinian River Plate; and in 2010, by Flamengo. This time, even more sadly, they were eliminated not by any of the most respected teams of the continent, but by the small, hard-worker Tolima, from Colombia.
Soccer is imposition, according to Paulo Roberto Falcao, one of the best midfielders ever in soccer history. Tolima built a score of 2 v 0 easily in Colombia because of the lack of imposition from Corinthians inside the pitch, not imposing its better technical quality and recognition in the world of soccer.
Important to point out that this one was the last international game in Ronaldo's career. From now on, he will play only national games inside Brazil until the end of his career next December, because Corinthians is not qualified anymore for any international competition. Idolized by the majority of Brazilian people, two times world champions, and three times considered the best player in the world, Ronaldo is famous around the world for his World Cup glories. However, without winning any continental title either in Europe or in South America, Ronaldo will not be remembered as an idol in any of the soccer teams where he played.
Ronaldo is not considered one of the principle idols in any of the teams he has played in his career, i.e.,Cruzeiro, PSV, Barcelona, Internazionale, Real Madrid, Milan and Corinthians. He will be definitely recognized as one of the best soccer players in the history, mainly because of his achievements with the Brazilian National Team.. But as soon as we mention his name, it is impossible to determine for sure which team he has his image most related. Besides his success in the Brazilian National Team, he deserved to be an idol in at least one of the major soccer teams in the world. His career has been phenomenal, but not only the South American Libertadores Cup but also the Europe Champions League medals are missing for him. A pity for the world of soccer!!!
Wow...never thought abt that...He never won the champions league?? Always assumed he did in 2002...so sad 4 a player who has 2 be regarded as definitely top 5 of the greatest players over the last decade...
ReplyDelete*correction....greatest player in the last century..
ReplyDeletePersonally, I think the Pele was the greatest player in the last century, but Ronaldo is definitely one of the best 10 players in soccer history!
ReplyDeleteI think over last two decades, Ronaldo was only compared to Messi, Rivaldo, Romario and Zidane. Ronaldinho, Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo were awesome in the last years as well.
Yeah, Ronaldo was recovering from an injury in 2002, so he was playing in Inter, where he lost the Italian title in the last game. After he scored 8 goals in the 2002 World Cup, he was bought by Florentino Perez in the first version of the "Galaticos". So, he did not win the Champions League in 2002