Ronaldo in good form to begin preparing for World Cup

Ronaldo is expected to be in good physical condition when Brazil begins it pre-World Cup training this week, the team's doctor said Monday.

Photo: Ronaldo in good form to begin preparing for World Cup

Ronaldo in good form to begin preparing for World Cup

"Ronaldo is not injured anymore," Dr. Jose Luis Runco said. "He has been practicing normally for the past two weeks. He is in good condition, just as the other players."

Ronaldo had several injuries in the beginning of the year, and he scored only five goals in Real Madrid's first 19 matches.

His latest injury, a muscle ailment picked up during Spanish league play, kept him sidelined for most of April.

"Ronaldo is fine now," Runco said after Brazil arrived in the lakeside resort town for its two-week training camp. "He will be able to practice normally."

All Brazilian players will undergo routine physical examinations on Tuesday and Wednesday. The team's first practice session is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon.

Runco said he expects Brazil's players to be in better shape this year than before the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan, when Brazil won its fifth title.

"Before that World Cup we had problems with some players, including Ronaldo and Rivaldo. They needed more attention than other players at the time," Runco said. "This time, everyone is set to begin training on time."

About 50 fans and nearly 200 journalists were on hand to watch the defending World Cup champions arrive in Weggis on Monday.

Brazil will play two friendlies in Switzerland before the World Cup against FC Lucerne on May 30 in Basel and against New Zealand in Geneva on June 4. The team will debut in Germany against Croatia on June 13, reports AP.

O.Ch.