Ronaldo playing for his reputation - Junhino

Juninho has warned Brazil’s World Cup rivals that Ronaldo is determined to prove to everyone he is still the best player on the planet.

Ronaldo has finally emerged from his two-and-a-half-year injury hell and will spearhead Brazil’s quest to lift the most coveted prize in world football.

The buck-toothed Inter Milan striker scored his first international goal in over two years in last Saturday’s friendly win over Malaysia and Juninho has no doubts that he is back.

Speaking at Brazil’s training camp in Ulsan, Juninho said: ‘‘He’s a big name in the world and it’s been two or three years we’ve been without him.

‘‘He’s back now and he has the motivation to return and to be the best again.’’

Ronaldo will lead Brazil’s three-pronged attack along with Rivaldo and Ronaldinho, which has been dubbed the ’three Rs’, in their opening Group C game against Turkey in Ulsan’s Munsu Stadium on Monday.

Juninho’s place is not as assured and he is vying with Kleberson for a midfield berth.

The former Middlesbrough star, who now plies his trade back in Brazil with Rio club Vasco da Gama, is philosophical about his chances of starting.

‘‘We will have to wait and see what happens,’’ he said.

‘‘All 23 players want to play and it is up to the manager to pick the first XI.’’

The Brazilian public would certainly prefer to see coach Luiz Felipe Scolari opt for Juninho because

he would bring some flair to the side.

If Scolari chooses Kleberson in his much-derided 3-5-2 formation, that would mean the ’three Rs’ would be his only attacking players.

Such a line-up would be tantamount to heresy for Brazilians who not only want their country to win the World Cup, but win it in style.

Juninho knows this could strengthen his case for inclusion and he said: ‘‘With me in the team, then, yes, we would be more offensive.

‘‘But as I said before we will have to wait and see what the coach does.

‘‘Certainly I am fit and ready to go.’’

Juninho seems to be winning the battle and for the second day running in training he played for the expected starting XI against the reserves at Ulsan’s Mipo football ground.

The Juninho-Kleberson debate is just about Scolari’s only selection dilemma and the rest of his

team virtually picks itself.

Scolari, whose nickname is ’Big Phil’, has no major injury worries unlike virtually everyone of his rivals.