Ronaldo loan to Flamengo ruled out

Inter Milan said yesterday that Ronaldo will not be joining Brazilian club Flamengo on loan

Inter Milan said yesterday that Ronaldo will not be joining Brazilian club Flamengo on loan. The daily Gazzetta dello Sport had quoted Ronaldo, currently recovering from a knee injury, as saying a loan move to Flamengo may be the best way to regain his full fitness.

"There is no chance of Ronaldo going to Flamengo," an Inter spokesman said. "Ronaldo wants a light comeback and he agrees with our ideas. A loan move would be the opposite of a light comeback. We want to look after Ronaldo and allow him to return without pressure and in his own time."

Ronaldo underwent an operation in April after his latest injury setback, when he ruptured a knee ligament after coming on as a substitute in the Italian Cup final against Lazio.

In the Gazzetta dello Sport interview, Ronaldo said: "If I make my return in Italy where the tension is high, I am sure that after the first applause, the first seconds, Ronaldo will be (treated) like all the others. The game is hard in Italy. They will challenge hard, without holding back."