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Ronaldo dropped from Brazil's foster
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-05-31 10:08
Ronaldo was dropped Monday from Brazil's roster for two World Cup qualifiers
next month and the Confederations Cup.
"Ronaldo claimed personal problems that prevent him from dedicating himself
to the Brazilian team at the moment," Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira said.
Ronaldo greets people as he arrives to a
hospital in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Monday, May 30, 2005. Three-time
FIFA Player of the Year Ronaldo was dropped from the Brazilian national
team for two upcoming World Cup qualifiers and the Confederations Cup, the
Brazilian soccer confederation announced Monday.
[AP] | Grafite will take the roster spot of the
three-time FIFA Player of the Year for the qualifiers against Paraguay on Sunday
and at Argentina on June 8. Julio Cesar will replace him at the Confederations
Cup, an eight-nation tournament to be held in Germany from June 15-29.
Ronaldo had hoped to be excused from the Confederations Cup, a tournament
many players and coaches claim is unnecessary. The forward, a star for Real
Madrid in the Spanish League, said he wanted time off because it would be his
only break from playing until after the 2006 World Cup.
Parreira warned last week that he wouldn't accept fatigue as an excuse for
not playing in the Confederations Cup. The decision to drop Ronaldo from the two
qualifiers was a surprise.
"I was prepared to play both games," he told the Globo TV Network. "I was
ready and motivated, but the Brazilian Soccer Confederation has decided and I
have to respect that decision. Now I just want to rest, get away from it all and
get ready for next year."
Ronaldo was sidelined for nearly two years with a serious knee injury that
required two operations. He turned to lead Brazil to the 2002 World Cup title,
scoring both goals in the 2-0 victory over Germany in the final. Ronaldo scored
eight goals in the tournament, moving into a tie with Pele for the third-most in
World Cup history, trailing only West Germany's Gerd Mueller (14) and France's
Just Fontaine (12).
Ronaldo was voted world player of the year in 1996, 1997 and
2002.
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