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Craig HillBrazilian Ronaldo's career in the balance
February 14th 2008 04:40
Ronaldo is stretchered off after his latest injury
AC Milan and Brazil striker Ronaldo's top-flight career could be over after suffering another serious setback in his injury-plagued career.
The 31 year-old former World Player of the Year had to be carried off on a stretcher after rupturing a tendon in his left knee in a match against Livorno in the Serie A. Ronaldo fell awkwardly while challenging for a ball in the air with Jose Vidigal just three minutes after replacing Alberto Gilardino in the second half.
Ronaldo: In happier times...
Livorno goalkeeper Marco Amelia, who was close by when Ronaldo fell to the ground, was reported saying he heard a 'horrible sound' before the Brazilian went down clutching his left knee in tears.
Ronaldo suffered the same injury in his right knee in November 1999 and it took him a total of 25 months out of the world game which means if the current injury took the same amount of time to fully heal, he would be 33 years old by the time he makes a return.
A concerned Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti said: "I don't want to say it's the end of his career because only time can decide - all we can do is stand by him".
The striker, who has already hardly featured this season because of a series of niggling injuries is also out of contract with AC Milan at the end of the season and it remains uncertain whether he will be offered a new contract in light of this new injury.
Whether or not a player like Ronaldo, who has won every prestigious trophy and honour in the game, still has the motivation to make a comeback from another serious injury in the twilight of his career remains to be seen.
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