Brazilian striker Ronaldo has revealed he would rather remain in his homeland and earn a contract with Flamengo than join a European club.
The three-time FIFA World Player of the Year is on the brink of a return to football after recovering from a career-threatening knee injury sooner than expected.
Ronaldo sustained the injury eight months ago while playing for AC Milan and, since becoming a free agent in the summer, offers have been pouring in for the 32-year-old.
Paris St Germain are among the European outfits reportedly keen to acquire his services but Ronaldo, who has been training with Flamengo, is hopeful he will be playing for his boyhood club next term.
In Rio de Janeiro, he told the Bem Amigos show on SporTV: "If everything is okay, I want to stay [at Flamengo].
"I've been in Europe for 16 years. Flamengo are my favourite, but I don't want to play there as a favour. I want to deserve to play there."
Ronaldo, however, revealed he is thinking about retiring if he cannot get back into top shape.
"I could hang up the boots," he said. "If I think I am not fine, I will retire. It's useless if you are physically fit but you are not fast.
"I already lost some weight but I must lose more."
And the former Barcelona and Real Madrid frontman - a World Cup winner with Brazil in 1994 and 2002 - has not given up hope of an international recall.
He added: "I am a wounded soldier who is recovering, but not dead.
"The national team is part of my life. I have big history with it, with a number of titles and defeats. I am making a big sacrifice and I do dream of the national team."
Ronaldo sustained the injury eight months ago while playing for AC Milan and, since becoming a free agent in the summer, offers have been pouring in for the 32-year-old.
Paris St Germain are among the European outfits reportedly keen to acquire his services but Ronaldo, who has been training with Flamengo, is hopeful he will be playing for his boyhood club next term.
In Rio de Janeiro, he told the Bem Amigos show on SporTV: "If everything is okay, I want to stay [at Flamengo].
"I've been in Europe for 16 years. Flamengo are my favourite, but I don't want to play there as a favour. I want to deserve to play there."
Ronaldo, however, revealed he is thinking about retiring if he cannot get back into top shape.
"I could hang up the boots," he said. "If I think I am not fine, I will retire. It's useless if you are physically fit but you are not fast.
"I already lost some weight but I must lose more."
And the former Barcelona and Real Madrid frontman - a World Cup winner with Brazil in 1994 and 2002 - has not given up hope of an international recall.
He added: "I am a wounded soldier who is recovering, but not dead.
"The national team is part of my life. I have big history with it, with a number of titles and defeats. I am making a big sacrifice and I do dream of the national team."
Copyright (c) Press Association
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