Former Inter striker Ronaldo has spoken on the injury hell he went through during his career and recalled the first serious injury that he sustained whilst on Inter’s books.
The Brazilian is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time and there will seemingly always be questions asked about what he could have done if he did not sustain several serious knee injuries which ultimately hampered him for large spells of his career.
“In my first season at Inter I started to suffer from chronic tendonitis. I went under the knife and when I came back, I got injured,” he remarked in an interview with Forbes Brasil.
“I was in despair and my head was all over the place, I thought my future was at risk. I was very young and I struggled to return and then I suffered that unprecedented injury in the world of football and it was not know if I would return.
“After eight months out I went to one of the best specialists in Orlando who told me that I would have to go under the knife again to have any hope of having a normal life and that I could no longer play at the top level.
“When I returned to training, muscle problems appeared but despite this I had confidence in the doctor and in my knee. I had a lot strength but I did not know the strength I had inside me to recover. I spent two months in the same position but at no time did I think of giving up. I had to continue fighting for my dream.”
The now 43-year-old, who is the majority owner of Spanish side Real Valladolid, joined Inter back in the Summer of 1997 in a then world record transfer deal and would spend five years with the club.
The two-time Balon d’Or winner made just 98 appearances during his half-decade with the Nerazzurri due to injuries. He scored 59 goals for the club and also provided three assists for his teammates.
