Brazil - Ronaldo: "My real aim is for Brazil to finish up as World Champions"

30.06.98 21h38 CET

- Three days away from the quarter-final against DENMARK, what kind of physical shape are you in?

• " I have a slight pain behind my left knee, which is why I didn't train this afternoon (Tuesday 30 June). But there's been a lot of unnecessary song and dance about all that and there's absolutely no reason to get worried about it as regards the match against DENMARK (match no. 58). As for the rumours about my possible weight problems, that was a misunderstanding between the team doctor and the physical trainer. The press has been put in the picture since then. I'm the same weight as I was in 1996 before the Olympic Games in Atlanta: 83.4 kilos. It's my fighting weight, though it's true I could lose a few grammes..."

 

• Do you aim to finish top goalscorer?

 

• That's not the most important thing for me. My real aim is for Brazil to finish up as World Champions. That's the goal I have in front of me, and that's the only thing I'm concerned about. It means beating DENMARK first. I think they're a team who'll play like CHILE did against us, meaning that they'll adopt a defensive position and try counterattacking a lot. We've already shown that this strategy doesn't pose us the slightest problem."

 

• Which player has most impressed you since the beginning of the competition?

 

• Thierry HENRY (12) has really surprised me. I find him extremely skilful and extremely fast at the same time. What's more, I really like FRANCE team's way of playing. Other than that, the best goal of the tournament in my view was the one scored by Miguel BENITEZ (15) of PARAGUAY, in their match against NIGERIA (match no. 39, on 24 June).