Ronaldo back in training

Brazil’s fears over the fitness of star striker Ronaldo will have been allayed by the sight of him training with the rest of the squad this week.

The Real Madrid forward’s injury was only ever a minor one – he had blisters on his feet – but there were some doubts about him making the first game against Croatia next Tuesday.

These fears have been dispelled by team doctor Jose Luiz Runco, who was asked whether Ronaldo would be fit for his country’s opener.

“Without any doubt,” Runco replied.

Runco admitted being concerned about the run of injuries which are affecting Brazil’s preparations for the summer showpiece, saying: “I’m worried as any Brazilian is.

“My function here is to prevent injuries and look for the best conditions to help players do their best.”

Playmaker Ronaldinho, meanwhile, is so confident Ronaldo will be in perfect condition for the World Cup that he predicts the striker will break Gerd Muller’s record of 14 goals scored in World Cup finals.

Ronaldo has scored 12 goals so far and Ronaldinho told Kicker magazine: “Ronaldo will be the best and he will score the goals he needs to turn into the leading striker in the tournament’s history.

“He needs only three, but I think he’ll score even more.”

Croatia, Japan and Australia are Brazil’s rivals in Group F.