Ronaldo Eyes Return To Brazil

You don't have to follow soccer to know the name.

One of the legends of the game, Ronaldo has decided to quit European football for a move to Brazil. A possible contract may be in store at Flamengo.

The 32-year-old is returning to the game after recovering from a career-threatening knee injury eight months ago with AC Milan.

He told SporTV: ''If everything is okay, I want to stay (at Flamengo). I've been in Europe for 16 years. Flamengo are my favourite, but I don't want to play there as a favour. I want to deserve to play there.''

With Ronaldo, it's not necessarily a matter of talent.  Injuries have slowed his career down, and returning to top form could be too much to ask for the striker.

He said that if he cannot get back into good shape, retiring might be his only remaining option.

"I could hang up the boots...If I think I am not fine, I will retire. It's useless if you are physically fit but you are not fast. I already lost some weight, but I must lose more.''

The three-time FIFA World Player of the Year has played for PSV Eindhoven, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, and A.C Milan. His career is somewhat parallel to Henrik Larsson's, who played for several big name clubs before returing to his homeland at Helsingborg, which was his childhood team.

Larsson still plays for the Swedish national team, and Ronaldo too has hopes of returning to the international stage for Brazil.

''I am a wounded soldier who is recovering, but not dead. The national team is part of my life. I have big history with it, with a number of titles and defeats. I am making a big sacrifice and I do dream of the national team.''

With 62 goals, he is currently the third highest all-time goal scorer for Brazil, trailing only Zico and Pele.

The last time we saw him in the yellow jersey he was a bit overweight at the 2006 World Cup. If he can get at least half of his game back and stay healthy, I don't see why a move to Flamengo is out of the question.

However, it will be a tall order for Ronaldo to fill. Whether or not we see him on the pitch again, the Brazilian has ensured that his name goes down in history as one of the greatest soccer players of all time.