Milan coach: Ronaldo will be ready

MILAN, Italy (Reuters) -- Ronaldo will be fit to play in AC Milan's first game of the Serie A season against Genoa on Aug. 26, coach Carlo Ancelotti said on Wednesday.

The Brazil striker pulled a hamstring towards the end of the previous campaign and has yet to feature in preseason.

The 30-year-old Ronaldo will miss Thursday's friendly at Real Betis although attacking colleague Alberto Gilardino is back after knee surgery.

"Ronaldo will be available for the first match of the championship," Ancelotti told a news conference dominated by questions about Brazilians.

New signing Alexandre Pato, who according to media reports cost $30 million from Internacional, cannot feature for Milan until January under the terms of the deal but Ancelotti has already been impressed by the 17-year-old forward.

"In January he will be able to play immediately," he said. "In theory he could play with us today. He could calmly demonstrate even in this team the characteristics he has already shown."

Ancelotti also denied fresh speculation in the Italian and Spanish media linking the European champions with Barcelona playmaker Ronaldinho.

"Ronaldinho? Talking about him in April could have made sense but today, almost in the middle of August, it seems to me it is a 'no' really," he said.

Ronaldo claims favourites tag

Milan star Ronaldo has denied that Inter are the dominant force in Europe and believes that the Rossoneri are favourites for all competitions.

Most experts in the peninsula feel that the Nerazzurri will be hard to stop after dominating so completely last term and adding Romanian star defender Cristian Chivu this summer.

By contrast, the Diavoli have made few new signings and looked lifeless in several of their pre-season friendlies, but Ronaldo isn’t in awe of the city rivals.

“We won’t start below Inter in the pecking order,” he insisted. “On the contrary, we have the advantage as we have such history and so many great champions in the squad.”

The ex-Inter marksman also took time to talk about the arrival of 17-year-old countryman Alexandre Pato from Internacional.

“I think he’s ready for Serie A,” Ronnie claimed. “There are no hard and fast rules that state a player can’t play here if he doesn’t weigh enough or is too young - it’s all to do with what he can do with the ball.”

Despite reacting angrily to his side’s sloppy performance against Lokomotiv Moscow on Sunday, boss Carlo Ancelotti claims he is happy with the way his men are approaching the coming campiagn.

“I agree with Ronaldo and I’m happy with the mentality of my players, and especially him,” the ex-Juventus Coach told the Press.

“We have finished in the market. We aren’t after Emerson and Ronaldinho is a target for another day.”

Ronaldo train spanish homeless team

Thanks Cindy

PATO: "The phenomenon is Ronaldo"

RIO DE JANEIRO - New Milan purchase Alexandre Pato refuses to be labeled a 'phenomenon': "I am not a star and neither a phenomenon - he said to "Zero Hora" - the real phenomenon is Ronaldo and I want to learn from him, I'll ask him for a lot of advice. When I arrived at Milanello for the medical tests, Ronaldo came to me, he was at my side and told me to speak to him if I ever needed something. I've always dreamt of playing alongside him, now I'm happy I can do it."

You're welcome.

Ronaldo and Pato :

Thanks Cindy and LuNo

never knew that ronaldo was a lima guy

MILAN-SEVILLA

GOALKEEPERS: Dida, Fiori, Kalac;

DEFENDERS: Bonera, Cafu, Digao, Favalli, Jankulovski, Kaladze, Maldini, Nesta, Oddo, Serginho, Simic;

MIDFIELDERS: Ambrosini, Brocchi, Gattuso, Emerson, Gourcuff, Kaka, Pirlo, Seedorf;

STRIKERS: Aubameyang, Gilardino, Inzaghi, Ronaldo.

ENTHUSIASTIC OF MILAN

"They have been three difficult months for me, but now everything's over. I have to think about training to be ready as soon as possible. I'm still very enthusiastic about being here." - THE WORDS OF RONALDO -

MILANELLO - Going back to work makes Ronaldo happy as he leaves behind the problems of the start of the season and is preparing to give his contribution on the pitch. Today the Rossoneri Phenomenon talked exclusively to Milan Channel's microphones. Here is what he said:

'Three months have passed since my injury, it's been a difficult period for me but now, I think, my problems have passed. I leave behind an injury that caused me many problems. Now I only have to use the trainings with the team and get back in form as quickly as possible.'

'Staying out of the team is never easy, mentally it was very difficult for me, also because I wasn't sure when I would return. It's been tough, but we had the necessary calmness to heal and work and now I think it's all over. I see the end of my problems.'

'I'm still very enthusiastic about being here and have the possibility to help this team. Last year things went well, I did well in the league. Now a new season starts for me, even if a little later. We are there now.'

SHAKHTAR-MILAN

GOALKEEPERS: Dida, Kalac, Fiori;

DEFENDERS: Bonera, Cafu, Favalli, Kaladze, Maldini, Nesta, Oddo, Serginho, Simic;

MIDFIELDERS: Ambrosini, Brocchi, Gattuso, Gourcuff, Pirlo, Seedorf;

ATTACKERS:Gilardino, Inzaghi, Ronaldo :hell yea!: , Kakà.

THE PHENOMENON RETURNS

On Tuesday in Donetsk, Ronaldo could come on the pitch after the injury to make his seasonal debut against Shakhtar on the 4th matchday of the Champions League.

MILAN - Ronie is ready, and he will be present on the plane which tomorrow will fly Milan to Donetsk, because this morning his name appeared on the list of 22 Rossoneri players called up by Carlo Ancelotti for the Champions League match against Shakhtar.

'El Fenomeno' never left the heart of the Rossoneri fans who don't wait for anything but to see Ronaldo come on the pitch with his number 99 shirt to transmit enthusiasm to all his team mates.

Ronie's last game with Milan was Reggina-Milan, on 27 May 2007, the last matchday of the previous championship. Then on 31 July came the day of his injury, at San Siro, on the occasion of the presentation of Milan's new shirts for the 2007/2008 season.

The contribution given by the Brazilian since joining Milan in the January 2007 transfer window has been important.

During Milan-Livorno, on 11 February 2007 (2-1), the day of his debut, Ronaldo played the first 27 minutes in front of the San Siro public, but it was the Siena-Milan match of 17 February 2007 which saw the Phenomenon take to the pitch from the first minute, scoring his first brace (16', 81') with the Rossoneri shirt.

He's made fourteen appearences in total in the 2006/2007 season, scored seven goals, and gave many important assists to his team mates.

Last season, Milan had Ronaldo playing in fourteen matches, and won 10, drew 2, lost 2 of them for a total of 32 points. Milan and its fans need the 'Phenomenon' and are eagerly awaiting his season debut.

Ronaldo Delighted About Return

Milan star Ronaldo is overjoyed to be back from injury and can’t wait to get back on the pitch playing again.

05/11/2007

El Fenomeno has yet to make an appearance this season after a long-running injury riddle that seemed as if it was never going to end.

The Brazilian finally returned to first-team training last week and he has been included in Milan’s Champions League squad to face Shakhtar Donetsk in Ukraine tomorrow night.

“I’m so happy to be back in the squad and to be a player again,” Ronaldo told the Press.

“I have always reacted well to pressure and I know what I am capable of and what I have to offer Milan.

“Of course it hasn’t been the best start to the season, but this is my beginning. I have been doing well in training and I think I’m ready to go.

“Now I just want to get on the pitch and score.”

Ronaldo has yet to play for Milan in the Champions League since he signed for the club in January of this year. The 31-year-old was cup-tied last season, having already played for Real Madrid, and missed out on the Rossoneri’s victorious run to Athens.

Thank you very much Diego Bion