Ze da Fiel
11-04-2001, 06:46 PM
Brazilian striker Ronaldo's latest comeback from injury for Inter Milan lasted just 13 minutes at the San Siro Sunday. The following is a chronology of the injuries which have dogged the former World Footballer of the Year:
1998
July 12
World Cup Final, Stade de France, Paris: Journalists are stunned when the team sheets handed out 45 minutes before kick-off show that Brazil coach Mario Zagallo had omitted Ronaldo, hyped as the star of the tournament.
Minutes later a second sheet is handed out with Ronaldo's name restored to the starting line-up but the forward is clearly out of sorts as France thrash the tournament favourites 3-0 in the final.
It later emerges that Ronaldo had collapsed in the team hotel on the day of the final in an incident still not entirely explained. He had turned up at the stadium on his own and told Zagallo he was fit to play.
September 25
Tendon problems put Ronaldo on the sidelines at Inter with the suggestion that surgery may be required. The injury reoccurs at various times during the season.
1999
November 21
During Inter's match with Lecce at the San Siro he partially ruptures a tendon in the right knee.
November 30
Operated on by Professor Gerard Saillant at the Pitie-Salpetriere Hospital in Paris.
2000
April 12
Restored to Inter's first team for the away match in Rome with Lazio. But only seven minutes after appearing as a substitute he completely ruptures the operated tendon and is carried off in agony. A day later he undergoes another operation in Paris.
November-December
Undergoes a rehabilitation course in Cap-Breton, France.
March 8
Saillant declares his patient 'clinically cured'.
March 28
Plays a friendly at Rio's famous Maracana Stadium, scoring five goals in a charity match.
June 2001
Plays a friendly for Inter.
July 2001
Reports for pre-season training. Progresses well. On the 23rd he featured against Bormiese in a friendly.
August 19
Plays at the San Siro for the first time in nearly two years, completing more than half an hour and scoring in the 7-0 win over Enyimba of Nigeria.
August 31
Scores twice as a substitute in friendly 4-2 win over Bastia.
September 19
Inter coach Hector Cuper names Ronaldo in his squad for the UEFA Cup first round tie with Brasov of Romania. He plays as a substitute in the 2-0 victory.
September 26
Ronaldo comes on as a substitute during the second leg against Brasovin Transylvania but again has to leave the field injured.
November 4
Cuper names Ronaldo in his starting line-up for the Serie A match against Lecce at the San Siro, the first time in nearly two years that he has begun a competitive match.
But only 13 minutes into the match the player pulls up with an injury to his left leg and is replaced by compatriot Adriano.
1998
July 12
World Cup Final, Stade de France, Paris: Journalists are stunned when the team sheets handed out 45 minutes before kick-off show that Brazil coach Mario Zagallo had omitted Ronaldo, hyped as the star of the tournament.
Minutes later a second sheet is handed out with Ronaldo's name restored to the starting line-up but the forward is clearly out of sorts as France thrash the tournament favourites 3-0 in the final.
It later emerges that Ronaldo had collapsed in the team hotel on the day of the final in an incident still not entirely explained. He had turned up at the stadium on his own and told Zagallo he was fit to play.
September 25
Tendon problems put Ronaldo on the sidelines at Inter with the suggestion that surgery may be required. The injury reoccurs at various times during the season.
1999
November 21
During Inter's match with Lecce at the San Siro he partially ruptures a tendon in the right knee.
November 30
Operated on by Professor Gerard Saillant at the Pitie-Salpetriere Hospital in Paris.
2000
April 12
Restored to Inter's first team for the away match in Rome with Lazio. But only seven minutes after appearing as a substitute he completely ruptures the operated tendon and is carried off in agony. A day later he undergoes another operation in Paris.
November-December
Undergoes a rehabilitation course in Cap-Breton, France.
March 8
Saillant declares his patient 'clinically cured'.
March 28
Plays a friendly at Rio's famous Maracana Stadium, scoring five goals in a charity match.
June 2001
Plays a friendly for Inter.
July 2001
Reports for pre-season training. Progresses well. On the 23rd he featured against Bormiese in a friendly.
August 19
Plays at the San Siro for the first time in nearly two years, completing more than half an hour and scoring in the 7-0 win over Enyimba of Nigeria.
August 31
Scores twice as a substitute in friendly 4-2 win over Bastia.
September 19
Inter coach Hector Cuper names Ronaldo in his squad for the UEFA Cup first round tie with Brasov of Romania. He plays as a substitute in the 2-0 victory.
September 26
Ronaldo comes on as a substitute during the second leg against Brasovin Transylvania but again has to leave the field injured.
November 4
Cuper names Ronaldo in his starting line-up for the Serie A match against Lecce at the San Siro, the first time in nearly two years that he has begun a competitive match.
But only 13 minutes into the match the player pulls up with an injury to his left leg and is replaced by compatriot Adriano.