NEARLY six months have passed since Ronaldo, suffering from 'severe fatigue, weariness and stress' according to the Paris radiologist who examined him, stumbled and stuttered his way through Brazil's World Cup final capitulation to France.
The world's greatest footballer, playing for the world's greatest football nation, in the final of the world's greatest football tournament.
Only 21 at the time, he could, perhaps, be forgiven for feeling the pressure.
As Brazil headed for home, many observers, former professionals and media, suggested Ronaldo needed time and space away from the spotlight to recharge his batteries. The stress of carrying a nation's hopes on his young, iconic shoulders had taken its toll, they said. He should be left alone to recuperate.
Watching Ronaldo as he sat under bright lights in the plush surroundings of the Geneva Noga Hilton last Monday, where he was launching a line of luxury watches with Swiss jewellers Montega Geneve, it was difficult not to wonder if any of this advice, unsolicited though it was, had been heeded.
His hectic itinerary began at 8.30 am with the first of a series of group interviews (Montega had flown in more than 100 reporters from 28 countries for the event).
