| The once known for his ability to score and his | | | | the club in April. Ronaldo, with overweight and |
| quickness to react under pressure during a soccer | | | | struggling for fitness, Real Madrid fans accused |
| game, has now been signed by the AC Milan for a | | | | the striker of opting out of the season in order to |
| “very few bucks”. Ronaldo has signed an | | | | focus on the World Cup. |
| 18-month contract until June 30, 2008 for an | | | | He recovered on time to play in Germany and |
| undisclosed fee. | | | | went on to set a record of 15 goals at the finals |
| The 30-year-old striker, who was three-times | | | | however his lumbering performances did nothing |
| named FIFA World Player of the Year quit the | | | | to enhance his reputation. |
| Real Madrid’s team following the footsteps of | | | | Ronaldo's departure encloses an irony: together |
| Luis Figo, Zinedine Zidane and David Beckham. The | | | | with goalkeeper Iker Casillas, he has been Real's |
| Real Madrid is looking to renovate the squad since | | | | most consistent performer over the past four |
| they haven’t been able to win a major | | | | years, scoring regularly and often spectacularly. |
| trophy in the last four years. | | | | The Brazilian striker was the driving force that |
| Even though he had a stellar first season at Real | | | | propelled Real to their last major trophy, the 2003 |
| Madrid in which he fired the club to the league | | | | league title. But since then his presence hasn’t |
| crown, the Brazilian never received the recognition | | | | brought Real Madrid the success the fans long for. |
| he feels he deserved and insinuated he was going | | | | A single league title in four seasons is a small |
| to leave around a year ago. | | | | reward for having the world's best striker on their |
| His 2005-06 season ended ahead of time when he | | | | payroll. |
| limped off shortly after scoring his 100th goal for | | | | |