From the papers

April 14, 2000
Juventus Official Site

Everybody has gone out of their way to comfort Ronaldo. Juventus are no exception; they expressed their sorrow here on their official site yesterday, and they do so again in today's dailies. "Juve supports Ronaldo" is the Corriere dello Sport's unequivocal headline. Ciro Ferrara (on Inter), the Bianconeri's most experienced player, who knows a thing or two about injury, takes up the mantle in the Rome-based daily: "We footballers are not your average office worker: our bodies are put to the limit and the many pressures involved often condition decision-making. I can vouch for that in person, making a comeback even if not fully fit; obviously my problems cannot be compared to Ronaldo - as I don't know enough about his injury to comment. - What I can say though is that recovering from an operation does not mean you are ready for the rigours of match-play."

Tuttosport's headline follows in the same mould: "Juve's thoughts go out to Ronaldo", and this time Zinedine Zidane gives his verdict: "It's a great shame because football without Ronaldo will be the poorer for it. It's very sad indeed." Kind words indeed spoken by one of the game's true gentlemen.

The Gazzetta dello Sport's headline reminds us of another great player not blessed by Lady Luck in the injury department: "Del Piero knows all about comebacks." Indeed, for a moment his own crippling injury at Udine flashed back in his mind and he stresses the importance of willpower in the recovery process. Coach Carlo Ancelotti preaches patience; in his eyes it will be some time before we see Ronaldo back, but is convinced that he will be back. Finally, on a happy note, Carlo Ancelotti urges Ronaldo to thrive off the birth of his baby son: "When I was injured once, the birth of my second son helped me." What better way to be nursed through an injury.
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