Ronaldo boost but Marcos misery

No sooner had Ronaldo given Brazil an injury boost than goalkeeper Marcos dealt them a fresh blow by being carried out of training today.

Marcos now looks a serious doubt for Wednesday’s semi-final against Turkey after he needed to be helped off the pitch with what looked like a knee injury.

At least striker Ronaldo seemed to have shaken off a thigh problem that caused him to be substituted in the second-half of Brazil’s 2-1 triumph over England.

It was less positive news for the 28-year-old Palmeiras keeper, who collapsed to the ground after going up for a cross in a crowded goalmouth during a practice match.

Ronaldo has been undergoing intensive physiotherapy treatment as well as taking anti-inflammatory tablets in a bid to face Turkey, and he looks to be winning the race.

He was training this evening for the first time since Thursday, and he admits his World Cup exertions are taking their toll.

‘‘I went two years without playing and now we have played a lot of games in a short space of time I’m more tired than the others,’’ he said.

‘‘But I’m fine, I’m recovering and in two or three days I will be better.’’

Ronaldo has been plagued by injuries for the best part of two and a half years, undergoing two operations on his right knee and suffering three muscular injuries in quick succession.

He played only a handful of games for Italian club Inter Milan last season and Brazil’s friendly against Yugoslavia in March was his first international since October 1999.

At the World Cup he has played five games in 17 days and scored five goals.

Team doctor Jose Luis Runco has refused to confirm that the two-time FIFA World Footballer of the Year would play against the Turks. Runco, however, said the pain had subsided.

‘‘It has been a good World Cup with a lot of surprises and great goals,’’ added Ronaldo in a Japanese television interview.

‘‘I hope it finishes even better.’’

Meanwhile, Rivaldo, who scored Brazil’s first goal against England and has also scored five in the tournament, has spoken about his sadness at the criticism he received from Brazilian fans prior to the World Cup.

‘‘I’m happy with the way I’m playing because I went through some difficult moments but I always had confidence in myself,’’ he said.

‘‘A lot of things were said. There were even jokes and all sorts of comments about my knee and this made me a bit sad.

‘‘I worked very hard but people didn’t realise and they criticised me. They said I was crocked and another player should be picked.’’