‘Original’ Ronaldo considering comeback with Fort Lauderdale Strikers

Brazilian star Ronaldo says he will attempt to make a playing comeback this spring with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers of the second-tier North American Soccer League.

The world player of the year in 1996, 1997 and 2002, Ronaldo is now 38 and hasn’t played since February 2011 with Brazil’s Corinthians. He spoke at a news conference called to announce he has become a part-owner of the Strikers.

Sometimes called by fans the 'original', or more harshly 'fat' Ronaldo to differentiate him from Cristiano Ronaldo, he said his return to the game would help the league and football in America.

Asked whether the former World Cup winner would play, Ronaldo responded in English and said “that is not easy.”

“I love to play,” he said. “That was my big love. But when I retired, it was because of my body. I had so much pain and so many injuries.

“It isn’t easy to get fit. I will try. I will train a lot.”