SAO PAULO, Brazil — Ronaldo approaches the 2006 World Cup in one of the worst slumps of his career. Fans have been jeering him and commentators have been criticizing him. Even the great Pele has hit out at him.
But as far as Ronaldo is concerned, everything is just fine.
"I've been faced with tough challenges my entire career," he said. "But now I know that I'm strong enough to overcome them. I'm certain that I'll be well prepared for the World Cup."
Ronaldo was going through a similar slump before the 2002 World Cup because of a serious knee injury that nearly ended his career. Many doubted he would play at a high level again, but he recovered quite nicely -- as the key player in Brazil's run to win a fifth title in Japan and South Korea.
Four years later, as Brazil goes for its second consecutive championship, Ronaldo is dealing with the same type of criticism.
The striker has become an easy target after an injury-plagued season in which he scored only five goals in Real Madrid's first 19 matches.
Pele suggested Ronaldo's career was being affected by off-field problems, including a divorce last year barely three months after being married to a Brazilian model and television hostess.
French star Michel Platini recently said Ronaldo "has too many years" and is "carrying too many kilos."
The 29-year-old Ronaldo was struck hard by the criticism -- to the point of calling Pele a "cheap opportunist" and considering leaving Real Madrid -- but he insisted it would not affect his play in Germany.
"The World Cup is my greatest motivation," Ronaldo said. "I'm not going to worry about what the critics are talking about me, I don't need that."
Ronaldo isn't the only one thinking he can rebound in the 2006 tournament. Some of those supporting the striker in recent months include former star players Romario and Diego Maradona, and even Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who wrote a letter of encouragement to Ronaldo.
"Ronaldo is one of the best players in the world and doesn't need to prove anything to anybody," said his teammate and two-time FIFA player of the year Ronaldinho. "We need him, just as he needs us."
Brazil Coach Carlos Alberto Parreira is another unconditional backer of Ronaldo.
"Ronaldo still is one of the greatest strikers in the world," Parreira said recently. "He will be ready to play in the World Cup."
