Ronaldo was at the Maracana on Sunday to watch a Rio de Janeiro state championship match between Flamengo and Botafogo, wearing a white T-shirt with an "I Love Flamengo" slogan.

The 31-year-old has stated he would like to play for a couple of months at Flamengo before making his comeback with Milan, while Flamengo president Marcio Braga claimed negotiations will start this week.

But Ronaldo said: "I dream about playing for Flamengo, but it will be a difficult dream to achieve."

Braga confirmed he intends to meet the player's agent Fabiano Farah.

"I will sit down with his agent this week. Ronaldo does not need to prove anything," Braga said.

Ronaldo ruptured tendons in his left knee in a Serie A match against Livorno in February and has been making use of Flamengo's medical facilities, led by club doctor Jose Luiz Runco.

Braga said: "He has talked to Dr Runco almost every day.

"However, we will be able to think about playing only in 2009."