Ronaldo arrived at the Bernabeu in a blaze of glory in August 2002, signing for a world record 28.49million pound fee and becoming Real Madrid’s latest ‘Galactico’ alongside the likes of Zinedine Zidane, Roberto Carlos and Luis Figo. So what went wrong in the years that followed and can he now resurrect his career with AC Milan after signing an 18-month contract with the Italian giants? Despite his obvious appeal, a three-time World Player of the Year and three-time Golden Boot winner nonetheless, fans in the Spanish capital were slow to warm to their new Brazilian superstar largely because he had enjoyed a prolific spell at bitter rivals Barcelona just five years before. But warm to him they eventually did when he fired in 30 goals in his opening season, and then finished top of the scoring charts in the two campaigns that followed. But then the dream turned sour. Ronaldo was plagued by a spate of injuries and in the odd instances he did play he looked overweight and lacking in fight. The fans quickly turned against him and El Gordo — the fat one, was their new nickname.It looked as if the writing was on the wall as early as March 2003 when Ronaldo hit back at his detractors in the build-up to Real’s Champions League clash with Arsenal. He said: “The fans have never accepted me. “I’ll consider that when looking at my future.“I’ve always said that I don’t want to be where I’m not loved. I’ve never felt at home at the Bernabeu and I will look at my situation after the World Cup.“I don’t know how the fans will react to what I have said and, to be honest, I don’t care.” Not surprisingly, the fans didn’t react well, but Ronaldo showed flashes of his earlier brilliance in the 2006 World Cup and when Fabio Capello took over at the Bernabeu his fate was by no means sealed. Capello was thought to be a keen admirer of the Brazilian’s talents but when the season began it soon became apparent he was well down the Italian’s pecking order. Ruud van Nistelrooy was brought in from Manchester United and he immediately struck up a formidable partnership with Raul, leaving Ronaldo in footballing limbo.The final nail in the coffin came in December when Capello issued an astonishing attack on the 30-year-old, criticising his weight and attitude in front of the baying media. “He is getting better in training and is starting to rediscover an acceptable physical condition,” Capello said.“He’s lost a lot of weight but he still needs to lose more to become the player that everyone knows. For him, losing weight is important.”At the time Ronaldo insisted he was willing to fight for his place in the first team but he admitted the relationship with Capello was strained.“The worst thing is not to have the trust of the coach and to not know how to regain it,” the Brazilian said. He wouldn’t play for Los Blancoes again. When AC Milan tabled a 5million pound bid, the offer was eventually accepted after several days of deliberation between representatives of the two clubs, and Ronaldo now travels back to the country where he feels he also has things to prove. Ronaldo’s career in Italy was ravaged by injury and in the five years he spent at AC’s city rivals Internazionale, he started just 63 Serie A games, albeit netting 49 times for the Nerazzuri. If he can get his career back on track another World Cup surely awaits. Unlike David Beckham, Ronaldo’s international career is currently far from over, but this is surely his final chance to shine. (PA Sport)
