Ronaldo not finished yet

Heavyweight Samba star Ronaldo has warned Brazil’s rivals his appetite for goals and glory has not been satisfied just yet.

The legendary forward carved a special niche in World Cup history for himself yesterday, barging his way past Germany’s Gerd Muller to become the most prolific marksman in finals combat.

Ronaldo’s eye-catching early effort against Ghana was his 15th in three tilts at the major prize, which has so far brought him two medals, as a winner and a runner-up.

With first France, then either England or Portugal to face, few would bet against Ronaldo appearing in his third successive final in Berlin on July 9.

And the 29-year-old is still hungry enough to ensure they get there.

“I want more, more and more,” he said.

“I want to go on scoring goals and winning tiles. I still have plenty to give to this team and only those with something to give can expect to receive.”

With three goals in two games, Ronaldo has rammed the taunts of his many critics straight back down their throats.

Indeed, should Brazil make it to the final, the Real Madrid star could yet become the first player in history to finish top scorer in two World Cups.

Merely having the chance to do so is amazing considering he spent the second half of the Spanish season being jeered by his own supporters, with constant sniping about his weight and the effect the extra pounds was having on his game.

The excess around his waist remains but the famous toothy grin is back now too and Ronaldo is eagerly looking towards the next landmark.

“To make history is very difficult,” he said.

“You need to work hard and make sacrifices.

“Beating the record for goals in World Cup finals was never my main aim, it has just happened that way. All I want to do now is continue helping the team.”

A bit like England, the South Americans are yet to hit top form. Ghana created plenty of chances against them in Dortmund yesterday and with better finishing could have provided much more of a threat.

However, in stark contrast to Sven-Goran Eriksson’s men, Brazil are moving in an upward direction.

Ronaldinho may not be quite as influential as he is at Barcelona but he still gets on the ball often enough to represent constant danger.

Kaka has consistently been Brazil’s best player, Cafu and Roberto Carlos still bomb down the flanks with gusto and in Adriano, they have a player capable of taking some of the goalscoring responsibility away from Ronaldo.

Crucially, Brazil are also getting a bit of luck when required, particularly yesterday when John Mensah’s downward header fortuitously came bouncing back of Dida’s legs when Ghana looked certain to equalise.

However, as Gilberto Silva accepts, the challenges will only get harder as Brazil look to defend their title, although the Arsenal man believes the men in yellow are capable of rising to the test.

“Our form is getting better,” he said. “We are doing well now, especially at the back.

“But we have to keep improving because the next game will be harder than this one.

“France are a quality team with lots of experience. But we cannot afford to lose. We need to reach the semi-final.”

Having played the entire second half against Ghana following the knee injury which forced Emerson out of the action, Gilberto is hopeful of getting his first start against France, surprising last-16 conquerors of Spain.

The game pitches Gilberto into combat with a few familiar faces, notably his Arsenal captain Thierry Henry and the man who previously wore the Gunners’ armband, Patrick Vieira who, like Ronaldo, is enjoying a welcome renaissance after being written off as a spent force.

“It will be nice to meet up with Thierry and Patrick again,” he said.

“I really enjoyed playing with Patrick and Thierry is obviously such an important player for Arsenal.

“By signing his new contract, he has made sure the team will be really strong next season.”