His contract will run out in June. if we're not gonna abandon him like Galliani says, then there should be a renewal...

Medics: Ronnie will return

The future may look bleak for Ronaldo, but there is optimism amongst medical experts and Milan President Silvio Berlusconi is confident of a return.

The former Real Madrid hitman flew to Paris at 9am this morning to receive surgery on a severed tendon in his knee amongst fears that his career is over.

Accompanied by compatriot and Milan official Leonardo, club medic Massimiliano Sala and fiancée Maria Beatriz, Ronnie was applauded by a group of fans as he left hospital.

“Ronaldo himself asked to be operated on by the same team in Paris who reconstructed his right knee eight years ago,” club doctor Pierre Meeserman explained.

“The procedure was excellent eight years ago and surgical technology has only improved.”

“If things go according to plan he can return to being a great player, but it is hard to put a time scale on that,” respected sports doctor Walter Pascale commented.

While the nation’s Press have prepared obituaries to Ronaldo’s career, Pietro Volpi – Inter doctor between 1995 and 2000 – thinks it is premature to bid farewell to Il Fenomeno.

“It is a very serious injury, but it can be repaired and technology has made huge steps in recent times,” he told Sky Tg24.

“A recovery will probably take between eight and 10 months, but I wouldn’t be so pessimistic about Ronaldo’s future.

“The real problem is that he is eight years older than he was in 2000 and that makes it harder to get to peak condition in sport.”

Rossoneri President Silvio Berlusconi, a committed admirer of the three-time FIFA World Player of the Year – is determined that Ronnie can quickly make a full recovery.

“I spoke to him on the telephone last night and I told him to believe in himself as he has such a great physical capability,” he said on Unomattina.

“At 31-years-old he is still young and I think that he can return in a number of months to being the champion of old. Everyone in the sporting community hopes that is the case.”

If people want to do a 'get well' letter thingy, I'll be happy to collect comments and make sure it's sent to Milan.

Ronie will be operated on this afternoon in Paris.

Galliani stands by Ronnie

Ronaldo has undergone surgery on his damaged knee in Paris and Milan Vice-President Adriano Galliani has pledged to support the injured star.

El Fenomeno suffered a sickening injury at San Siro last night when he landed awkwardly and severed a tendon in his knee.

While there are fears that the 31-year-old’s career is over, he has been operated on by the same doctor that repaired his other knee in 2000 and there is hope he could return to action within a year.

“I spoke to Ronaldo just before he left for Paris and gave him all our best wishes and reminded him that Milan will be right behind him,” Galliani revealed.

“I think that cheered him up as he seemed a lot less down today.”

Ronaldo’s contract expires in the summer, but the Selecao star had hoped to earn a new one this term. That won’t happen now, but it seems unlikely that the Diavolo will abandon him.

“When you are talking about medical issues I can’t give any predictions and I don’t know how long a recovery will take, but we will be there for him,” Galliani insisted.

“There is great affection from President Silvio Berlusconi and myself towards Ronnie. It was a tragic thing to happen, but now we need to deal with it in the best way possible.

We don’t want such a sad image to be the last we see of Ronaldo on a football pitch. The hope is that he will wear the Milan shirt again as he is perhaps the best player Brazil has produced after Pelè.”