Ronaldo closing in on return

Brazilian forward Ronaldo will be fit to return in one month after recovering from a career-threatening knee injury sooner than anticipated.

The three-time FIFA World Player of the Year, who is currently a free agent and had been linked with Manchester City, was injured while playing for AC Milan in Serie A in February.

The out-of-contract 32-year-old has been training with Flamengo and is on course to return soon, according to physio Bruno Mazziotti.

Ronaldo, whose illustrious career with PSV Eindhoven, Barcelona, Internazionale, Real Madrid and Milan, has been punctuated by injuries, was expected to require more than a year to recover, and Mazziotti praised the striker for his hard work.

“Because of Ronaldo’s dedication, the recovery period has been shortened,” Mazziotti told SporTV.

“He has been following a treatment for almost eight months and now he is the final stage of the recovery.

“Clinically, he has fully recovered since August 15. We remain optimistic about his return to football action as soon as possible. The prediction depends on a number of factors but we think that, within one month or maybe less, he will be able to play again.”

Ronaldo is now poised to take a full part in training with Flamengo before deciding where his future lies.

“He is in the final stage of the recovery and, from this week, he will be able to train with the Flamengo team as if he were just another player,” added Mazziotti.