Brazil striker Ronaldo says that continued speculation about his weight is
sparked by lack of knowledge and the media having nothing better to talk about.
The striker
endured a frustrating season at Real Madrid, puncuated by a series of minor
injuries and suggestions that was fighting a losing battle against the flab.
"It doesn't bother me in the slightest," said Ronaldo, who has already been
named in Brazil's starting line-up for their opening FIFA World Cup match
against Croatia on 13 June.
"I think it's all down to a lack of knowledge. After all, what is fat," he
said, looking in the direction of a group of radio reporters amid laughter.
"People have been talking about it for so long that nowadays I just take it
as a joke.
"Nobody ever talks about exact numbers, about the percentage of fat. It's
down to a lack of knowledge, a lack of information and a lack of something
better to talk about."
Ronaldo, 29, has not played a competitive game since 8 April, when he limped
out of Real Madrid's 1-1 draw with Real Sociedad with an injury to his right
thigh.
He has taken part in Brazil's training as usual and says he only needs to win
back match fitness.
"This is like a pre-season for me, I'm coming back from injury and I haven't
played for one and a half months," he said. "I'm very happy and I'm getting on
with my job."
Ronaldo, who will be taking part at his fourth FIFA World Cup, finished as
topscorer in 2002 with eight goals as Brazil won an unprecedented fifth world
title.
He also scored four goals in 1998, but refused to set himself a target for
Germany.
"It's very difficult to make a forecast like that," he said.
"The principal target is the collective triumph - to help Brazil win a sixth
World Cup. My personal success takes a back seat.
"In any case, if I score goals, I'll be helping Brazil to win the title."
