AC Milan captain Paolo Maldini has expressed hope that injury-hit Brazilian striker Ronaldo will be ready for the team's opening match in the Club World Cup next Thursday. "I feel sorry and concerned that a player like Ronaldo, who has experienced many world-class competitions, cannot play to his potential," Maldini said Friday.
Ronaldo has missed two training sessions with the team since the European Champions League and Super-Cup winners arrived here late Thursday for the tournament of continental champions. The 31-year-old dubbed "Phenomenon" has featured in just one match this season, starting against Cagliari about 10 days ago in his return from a thigh problem.
But he picked up a calf injury in training last week. Milan vice president Adriano Galliani earlier said Ronaldo had "a small contraction." "Ronaldo's calf has got considerably better but he still has a problem," Maldini said. "I will pay attention to his recovery from the problem." AC Milan and Boca Juniors of Argentina are seeded into the semi-finals set for the middle of next week.
The tournament was to kick off Friday with a play-off between Iran's Sepahan and Waitakere United of New Zealand. The winner will face Asian champions Urawa Reds of Japan in the quarter-final on Milan's side of the seven-club tournament.
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