SAITAMA, Japan, 23 June — Brazil striker Ronaldo could miss Wednesday’s World Cup semifinal against Turkey because of an injury to his left thigh, team doctor Jose Luis Runco said yesterday.
“At times these injuries take longer than you expect. If it doesn’t improve with treatment then he will not be released for the game on Wednesday,” he said.
“He is still a doubt. Just time will tell but he hasn’t got a serious injury.”
Ronaldo was substituted in the second half of the 2-1 quarterfinal win over England on Friday complaining of a pain in his thigh muscle. Runco said the injury had nothing to do with any of the two knee operations that disrupted his career for two years and were followed by a serious of nagging muscular injuries.
“Since March 9 we have said that Ronaldo is in the same state as any other athlete. This is a common (injury) problem which could affect any other footballer.”
He will have physiotherapy today and do light running in the afternoon, but no training with the ball.
“Normally in 72 hours the problem will clear up,” Runco said. “I believe we have time to get him better by Wednesday and even more so by Sunday (June 30).”
Scolari, who will also be missing attacking midfielder Ronaldinho because of suspension on Wednesday, confirmed that Luizao — who has so far only appeared at the World Cup in the last few minutes of the 2-1 win over Turkey — was almost certain to be Ronaldo’s replacement.
“In normal circumstances, it will be Luizao,” he said. “He has my full confidence and he knows it.”
Scolari said he was worried about the problem but was confident Ronaldo would be available.
“Of course, it worries me,” he said. “But we have an excellent medical department and Ronaldo has an enormous desire to play so I don’t think he will miss the game.”
He added that Ronaldo was important for the whole squad and admitted that the player’s attitude had improved since 1998, when he failed to live up to his billing as the world’s best player.
“The group needs him a lot, he is having a marvelous cup and his attitude is very different from the Ronaldo of 1998. He is a reference on the pitch — but you can be sure that if he does not play, we can overcome his absence.”
