Four months into his remarkable return to soccer, veteran striker Ronaldo helped Corinthians clinch the Brazilian Cup. Ronaldo also won the Sao Paulo state title with Corinthians in May. Wednesday’s win caps off the striker’s successful comeback to competitive soccer.
“I have to be thankful,” said the 2002 World Cup champion who was out of the game for a year because of a knee injury. “My return to soccer has really been fantastic. I couldn’t imagine things would happen like this.” Although he is yet to reach the form that made him a three-time world player of the year, Ronaldo has been key for Corinthians since debuting with the popular Brazilian club in March.
He has scored 11 goals, including decisive ones in the final of the Sao Paulo state championship and in the first leg of the Brazilian Cup final two weeks ago in Sao Paulo, when Corinthians won 2-0. Ronaldo didn’t score Wednesday in the 2-2 draw in Porto Alegre, but set up the team’s second goal.