Getting kicked around

KOENIGSTEIN, Germany – Forget all the talk about proving everybody wrong at this World Cup. Ronaldo wasn’t even able to get in shape for Brazil’s opening match.

The 29-year-old striker has, indeed, overshadowed all his teammates so far – including Ronaldinho, Kaka and Cafu – but for all the wrong reasons.

His World Cup woes started with a weight controversy that even involved the Brazilian president. Then it was blisters on his foot and a mild respiratory infection. The latest was a visit to a hospital late Wednesday because of dizziness.

Then there was his dismal performance in Brazil’s 1-0 opening win against Croatia on Tuesday, when he barely touched the ball and was replaced in the 69th minute.

“It’s not written in my manual that I’m always supposed to play well,” Ronaldo said Thursday, adding that all his problems are in the past, and that he was ready to play against Australia on Sunday.

“Sincerely, it bothers me, the repercussion of all of this,” he said, and blamed the media for making a big deal out of what he called “small things.”

But given Ronaldo’s past with injuries and off-the-field problems, it’s hard to believe something else won’t come up.

For example, hours before the 1998 World Cup final, he had unexplained convulsions and had to be taken to a medical center. Tests were negative and he got back in time to play, but performed poorly. Brazil lost 3-0 to host France.

A year later, Ronaldo seriously hurt his knee while playing with Inter Milan in the Italian league. He had surgery and was sidelined about four months.

His second knee injury in 2000 kept him sidelined for nearly 17 months.

Many doubted Ronaldo would play at a high-level again, but he recovered nicely and was the key player in Brazil’s run to a fifth title in 2002. He was the tournament’s top scorer, netting eight goals in seven matches.

There was a period of calm for the superstar striker after that World Cup, but things began going downhill again as this year’s tournament approached.

Even Pele criticized him, as did former French star Michel Platini, who said Ronaldo “has too many years” and is “carrying too many kilos.”

The speculation about his weight only increased after Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva asked whether he was fat during a video conference days before Brazil’s debut.

But he is motivated, too, because there’s a chance to break several records.

Ronaldo is only three goals shy of becoming the World Cup’s all-time leading scorer. He is tied with Pele with 12 goals, one behind Just Fontaine of France and two behind Gerd Mueller of West Germany.

If Brazil wins the title Ronaldo also will equal Pele as a three-time champ.