Brazil striker Ronaldo is set to return from injury for Inter Milan's UEFA Cup match with Brasov on Thursday after his 17-month absence since undergoing a knee operation.
"I'm coming back to Europe. I'm coming back to a real match," Ronaldo told Inter's website on Wednesday.
Ronaldo missed the whole of last season due to the injury but has taken a full part in Inter's pre-season training and played in a friendly against France's Bastia on August 31, scoring twice in a 4-2 win.
His long-awaited return had been expected at the beginning of the Italian league season but Inter coach Hector Cuper insisted the timing had to be right.
"Tomorrow will be a special day," Ronaldo added.
"But I have been training with the team for days and days so it seems very normal and nothing too special."
Ronaldo's last appearance in a competitive game was in the Italian Cup final against Lazio in April 2000 when he ruptured knee ligaments just six minutes after coming on as a substitute in his first game for five months.
"To be able to play is a great thing. But we will take each step calmly, that's the climate we need," Ronaldo said. -Reuters