MADRID, Nov 3 (Reuters) - Brazil striker Ronaldo says he does
not understand what he has to do to earn a return to the Real
Madrid starting line up under coach Fabio Capello.
'The worst thing about not playing is not having the confidence of
the coach and not knowing how to win it back,' Ronaldo said in an
interview with Spanish daily ABC on Friday.
The 30-year-old international was Real's top scorer with 14 league
goals last season despite suffering a number of niggling
injuries.
But with Capello now installed as coach, Ronaldo has lost out to
Dutchman Ruud van Nistelrooy, with the Italian rigidly adhering to
a system that plays with one out-and-out striker.
Ronaldo underwent a minor operation on his left knee after the
World Cup finals and missed the start of the season.
But since then he has only played 100 minutes in the league and the
Champions League, has yet to score a goal and has yet to start a
game.
'I don't know what the criteria are to win a place in the starting
line up. I am in very good shape, with my weight and everything.
What I have to do is to try and prove it,' said Ronaldo.
'Capello doesn't have faith with me at the moment. If he did he
would have played me more.'
After a close season of speculation over Ronaldo's future with the
nine-times European champions, the player reiterated his desire to
see out his contract with the club, which ends in 2008.
'I expect to complete my contract here and then to have two years
more in Brazil or the United States. I will retire at 35,' Ronaldo
added.
'I am a fighter and this is the moment to do battle. It is a small
problem compared to others. I am happy when I play football... and
at the moment I am not playing much.'
Real, who are third in the standings, are at home to Celta Vigo in
the league on Sunday.