Ronaldo not giving up hope

AC Milan's Brazilian forward Ronaldo entering the training ground in Yokohama on Tuesday.Photo: AFP

Injury-plagued AC Milan striker Ronaldo said Tuesday he was still hoping to play in the Club World Cup, amid mounting sympathy from teammates over his injury woes.
The 31-year Brazilian joined the team's training for the first time since the European Champions League winners arrived here last Thursday as they gear up for their first match against Japan's Urawa Reds.
"I feel fine," Ronaldo told reporters before working out alone with 30 minutes of light jogging.
The star forward is unlikely to take part in Thursday's match, but asked if he would be fit should AC Milan reach the final on Sunday, Ronaldo replied: "I will see. I will be trying in the next days."
Ronaldo has featured in just one match this season, starting against Cagliari two weeks ago in his return from a thigh problem, before injuring his calf in training.
Fellow Brazilian and playmaker Kaka earlier said Milan teammates had been talking to Ronaldo here "because we want him to feel" part of the team.
The 25-year-old Kaka said Ronaldo had gone through "more difficult times," pointing to his two-year layoff with a knee injury before coming back to help Brazil win the 2002 World Cup in Japan.
Ronaldo scored twice in Brazil's 2-0 win over Germany in the 2002 final at the Yokohama International Stadium, which is also the venue of AC Milan's semifinal in this year's Club World Cup.