RONALDO HOMECOMING : story from Wednesday posted to Yahoo Sports:
http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/soccer
Days ago, a furious Ronaldo threw a plastic water bottle at jeering fans who
yelled racist insults at him and his mother. Today, the Real Madrid striker is
all smiles.
Workouts and wind sprints started his day Wednesday, as Ronaldo prepared for
World Cup qualifiers against Peru and Uruguay. His big toothy grin was a
reassuring sign that the tension of Real Madrid was temporarily forgotten.
"He showed up eager, happy and very motivated," coach Carlos Alberto Parreira
said after the team arrived Monday in Teresopolis, near Rio. "Ronaldo is a
player who loves challenges, and I'm sure he'll be the decisive player he always
was."
Parreira knows the 27-year-old striker well. He recognized Ronaldo's potential a
decade ago, when he selected the teenager for the Brazilian team that won a
record fourth World Cup title in 1994 in the United States.
Ronaldo went on to a career of glories on PSV Eindhoven, Barcelona and
Internazionale - but nearly saw it all end prematurely. A severe knee injury
required two operations and sidelined him for months between 1999 and 2001.
When few expected he would return, Ronaldo came back to lead Brazil to its fifth
World Cup title in 2002. He was the tournament's top scorer with eight goals,
including both in the 2-0 final over Germany.
He hasn't slowed down in the qualifiers for the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
Ronaldo leads all scorers with nine goals, and Parreira expects more in this
month's matches against Peru and Uruguay.

It's very different in Spain, where Real Madrid trails Barcelona in the Spanish
league and was knocked out of the European Champions League by the
quarterfinals. On Sunday, fans shouted racist insults that brought Ronaldo to
the boiling point.
In Brazil, however, Ronaldo is a hero - even to his own teammates.
"In my opinion, Ronaldo is still the best in the world," FIFA Player of the Year
Ronaldinho said in an interview with the newspaper Folha de S. Paulo. "His team
isn't playing great, but I want to get him the ball to help him."
Team captain Cafu added: "We'll always be with Ronaldo, whatever happens."
Ronaldo may have a guaranteed spot in the lineup, but the squad could have a new
look when it faces Peru Sunday in the central Brazilian city of Goiania.
Parreira is tinkering with a new, more aggressive lineup with Juninho
Pernambucano, Ze Roberto and Kaka in the midfield, joining World Cup veterans
Ronaldo and Ronaldinho.
That formation would give Brazil more firepower against Peru and Uruguay, and a
better chance to regain first place in the South American qualifying standings.
Brazil is in second with 20 points, two behind Argentina.
Some players be even more aggressive - adding Santos youngster Robinho to the
front line and giving Brazil a three-pronged attack.
"He's a super player," AC Milan's Kaka said in an interview with Pele's web
site. "It's great to watch Robinho grow, on and off the field."
"Robinho is evolving, month by month," added Ronaldinho.
Whatever the formation, Brazil must be careful against Peru, Parreira said.
"Even playing at home, with the fans behind us, it won't be easy. Peru has a
strong team, that closes up on defense and exploits counterattacks," he said.
"If they score the first goal, it will be hard for us to win."
The team then travels to face Uruguay three days later in Montevideo, the
capital.






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