Brazilian soccer star Ronaldo on Wednesday revealed that he could make his playing comeback with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers of the North American Soccer League. The former three-time FIFA World Player of the Year, now 38, hasn’t played since February 2011 with Brazilian club Corinthians. Ronaldo made the announcement at a news conference during which it was also revealed that he has become a part-owner of the NASL club.
However, the former Barcelona, Inter Milan and Real Madrid striker noted that coming back would not be easy. "I love to play," he said. "That was my big love. But when I retired, it was because of my body. I had so much pain and so many injuries. It isn't easy to get fit. I will try. I will train a lot."
Since retiring as a player, Ronaldo has become a part-owner of a marketing company called 9ine Sports and Entertainment, which represents Barcelona star forward Neymar and mixed martial arts fighter Anderson Silva. He is joining a team that averaged 3,092 fans for its home games last season and made it to the NASL final last season, where it lost to San Antonio.