After more than a one-year injury layoff, Ronaldo
finally returned to action with his new club
Corinthians.
Ronaldo may have only played 29 minutes, but he looked very lively,
and even came close to getting on the score-sheet.
He replaced Jorge Henrique in the 21st minute of the second half
and one minute later he had his first touch of the ball.
The excited crowd at the Juscelino Kubitschek stadium in Itumbiara
roared each time Ronaldo came close to the ball, and the former
FIFA World Footballer of the Year tried to impress them with some
of his trademark trickery.
He showed no signs of an injury, although it was evident that he
was lacking the necessary fitness to play a competitive football
match.
But Ronaldo, 32, constantly asked for the ball, and instead of
passing the ball as soon as he got it, he preferred to take on his
opponents, and with good results.
Towards the end of the match Ronaldo looked to mark his debut with
a goal.
He fired a long-range effort wide of the right post, and minutes
later he forced his way into the area, but was penalized for
pushing.
The former Barcelona, Real Madrid, Inter and AC Milan striker was
without doubt the main focus of attention in a match that
Corinthians won 2-0. The match corresponded to the first round of
the Copa do Brasil.
At the final whistle several excited reporters mobbed Ronaldo, and
he was hurt in the process. He quickly made his way into the tunnel
while touching his sore head.
Ronaldo is likely to start for the first time in the
top-of-the-table Paulista derby with Palmeiras on the weekend.