Ronaldo Chasing Record, Not Envious Of Ronaldinho

Filed in archive Ronaldinho on May 6, 2006

image: todayonline.com

Ronaldo says he isn't envious that Brazilian teammate Ronaldinho is considered the best player in the world.

"No, because each of us does our own thing." the chunky superstar told Veja magazine. "Whatever he does does not detract from me as a player and vice-versa. But I am proud to be able to call him a friend and I hope he has learned from me in terms of marketing strategy, my way of being and the way I play the game."

I hope not. Ronaldinho plays with enthusiasm and a smile on his face, while Ronaldo lurks around the opposition defence, hands on hips, only looking interested if and when the ball falls to him in the penalty area. He's still got it, he just doesn't want to run around and use it the way Ronaldinho does. This would be a little more understandable if Ronaldo were in his mid-30s, but he's still only 29 years old.

In his defence it seems a long career (he's been playing professional football since he was 16) and some very serious injuries (two major operation on his knee) have made Ronaldo a slightly more cynical player. Cynical or not, Ronaldo needs just 3 more goals to pass Germany's Gerd Muller and become the World Cup's all time top scorer (Ronaldo has 12, Muller 14). If that doesn't get hands off hips then nothing will.