Ronaldo's new boots no problem

2006-06-06 14:32

Konigstein - Brazil star Ronaldo will definitely be fit for the champions' World Cup opener despite a foot problem believed to be caused by new boots he has been wearing, team doctors said on Tuesday.

Ronaldo had complained of pains and blisters on his feet ahead of Sunday's 4-0 friendly victory over the Kiwis, and attributed them to the boots he has been supplied with by sporting giants Nike.

The problem led to Brazilian officials asking the player's club Real Madrid to send them several pairs of the boots he normally wears in an attempt to ease his pain.

However Ronaldo remained in discomfort during Sunday's friendly in Switzerland, where he was substituted after opening the scoring.

Brazil team doctor Jose Luis Runco insisted however that Ronaldo was fit and was not in doubt to face Croatia on June 13 - but admitted the precise cause of the problem had yet to be pinpointed.

"The healing process and the blisters is virtually complete," said Runco. "Ronaldo won't have any more problems."

Ronaldo had trained normally with the rest of the Brazil squad early Tuesday, Runco added.

After Sunday's match Ronaldo said he believed a seam inside his boots might have caused the discomfort. However a Nike representative travelling with Brazil, Ingo Ostrovsky, told reporters the specially-moulded boots do not have internal seams.

His old boots, which he wore during the friendly with New Zealand, had been sent to the team camp from Real Madrid. It is not clear what footwear Ronaldo will don against Croatia.

Meanwhile Runco said the rest of the Brazil squad was in perfect condition.

"We are in a very comfortable situation," Runco said. "There is nobody with complaints, and the players are all at the right level of fitness."

- AFP