Ronaldo
Who were your heroes when you were a kid? Who was the greatest: Pele or Maradona? And is it true that Brazilians rate Garrincha above Pele?
Dean Brown, Yeovil
When I was a child, my hero was Zico who was a big star for Flamengo and Brazil. My father was a Flamengo supporter so I began watching them and Zico was my favourite player – he very skilful and scored lots and lots of goals.
On the rivalry between Maradona and Pele, let me remind you that I’m Brazilian – that should give you your answer. And as for Garrincha, he was one of the best ever Brazilian footballers, but I never had the chance to see him play. Many people have told me many good things about him, though, and all Brazilians still love him.
At the start of your career you changed your name from Ronaldinho to Ronaldo then a few years later a certain goofy young Brazilian did the opposite. Why all the confusing name changing?
Hannah Moore, Liverpool
Actually, I’ve never changed my name. It has always been the same. My family name is Ronaldo, so when I was younger I was called Ronaldinho, which means “little Ronaldo”. But when I got older, it just became Ronaldo.
What was Jose Mourinho like as an interpreter at Barcelona? Would you say he was a special one?
Tom Cleavin, Ealing
I had a good professional relationship with him. At that time he was a nice man. Today I can’t claim to know him very well and people change during their life, but I know that at least he used to be a nice person.
How close were you to Bobby Robson? Did he really try to lure you to Newcastle?
Jonathan Hill, Newcastle
Robson is a really nice gentleman and I had a great time with him in Spain. He helped me a lot when I moved there; helping me to settle down when I was still very young. When I was at Barcelona, my first time in La Liga, I think I played the best football of my whole career. But moving to Newcastle? From what I know, he never tried to take me to Newcastle.
What’s the closest you’ve ever come to moving to the Premiership?
Jim Cox, via e-mail
The truth is I’ve never had a real chance to move to England. Maybe it’s a pity that I never played in Premiership. Perhaps I would have liked it. But I must say, I’m more than happy with the career I’ve had. I’ve played for several years in Italy and Spain, two of the best leagues in the world, and I’m completely satisfied with that.
Who’s the best coach you’ve worked with?
Grace Whale, via e-mail
There are several I like but if I have to say only one name I would go for [Brazil’s 1970 World Cup-winning coach] Mario Zagallo, who was the coach of the Seleçao in 1998. A great coach and a great man.
Which Brazil team is the best you’ve played in?
Keith Anderson, Kings Lynn
At the 2002 World Cup, we had a great team, the best I ever played in. Rivaldo, Ronaldinho, Roberto Carlos, Cafu, me… It was a team where we could find a goal in every minute in every way, and win every game. That’s why we won all seven games and that’s why we were world champions even though at the beginning of the tournament people doubted us.
Were you too hasty to leave Inter Milan for Real Madrid after they paid for your rehab for two years prior to the 2002 World Cup?
Stuart Staves, via e-mail
Not at all. People should remember I never asked to leave. I was forced to leave. Inter sold me to Real Madrid. That was their choice. That’s why I have no problem playing for Milan now – there’s no reason for me to feel bad. I have no regrets.
Steve McManaman says that when you play golf, you employ a number of questionable tactics to ensure you win: distracting other players, moving your ball to a better position, etc. Is this really acceptable behaviour for a sporting legend?
Bernie, via e-mail
[Laughs] It’s true that I like talking when I play golf. To me, it’s normal to enjoy and relax while playing golf, but I also know the rules and when I have to stay in silence. That said, it’s not true [laughs] that I make tricks to win.
David Beckham says he’s swum in your pool. How close were you two, really?
James Frith, via e-mail
We are really good friends, and we’re still in touch. The reason is that although I can’t speak English very well, I could make myself understood so when David moved to Madrid I tried to help him. We spent lot of time together, not only the two of us, but also our families and children. For me he was, alongside the Brazilians in the squad, my best team-mate.
In your opinion, which nation has the best-looking women? And what do you think of British women?
Graham Smith, via e-mail
[Thinks for long time] I have to say that first are the Brazilians. [Another long pause as he thinks again] Second the Swedes. [Long pause] And third the Colombians. British girls? I don’t know what to say because I don’t go to England very often even though I like London very much.
What’s your favourite career goal?
Fiona Kerr, Aberdeen
I can’t pick just one, it has to be two. And my choice is simple: the two goals I scored during the World Cup final in 2002. Not only because they were two good goals but especially for the value they had. It’s not every day you win the World Cup.
Have you made up with Pele since you called him a ‘two-bob opportunist’ last year? Why have you two had such a turbulent relationship?
John Ryland, Wilmslow
We are not friends, we don’t know each other very well, but on the other hand, you can’t say that we are enemies. I respect him and his history and I think he could say the same about me. So, really there’s no problem with Pele.
What was your relationship with Real Madrid coach Fabio Capello like? Was he the reason you left Madrid?
Gwynne Dixon, Surrey
I don’t have any relationship with him, it’s as simple as that. He was not the reason why I moved. I left Madrid because I wasn’t playing regularly and I wanted to. I know that at the end of the day it’s up to Capello to take decisions but I never had particular problems with him for the simple reason that we never had any relationship.
Why did you decide to wear the number 99 shirt for Milan? Are you a big fan of the 99 ice cream (the one with the flake stuck in it)?
Ravi Beeharry, London
It’s a funny joke but I’m afraid it’s not true. When I moved to Milan, the number 9 shirt was already on Filippo Inzaghi’s back so I couldn’t have that. So instead, I decided to go for the double 9. Nothing to do with ice creams.
Having played for Barcelona, Inter Milan, Real Madrid and now Milan, which set of fans have you had the most flak from? Can you rank them?
Andrew Johnston, Birmingham
I don’t want to rank the teams individually, but I will say that the Italian fans are the best because they support their team for the entire 90 minutes. In Spain, people go to the Bernabeu or Nou Camp in the same way that they go to the theatre or to the cinema: for them football is a show, they want to be entertained. I don’t think they ever support in the same way that the Italians do.
What do you plan to do once you retire?
Clive Stevens, via e-mail
I’m looking forward to chilling out, to relaxing, enjoying the life and not having any more commitments or deadlines. I love to think that when I retire I won’t have any clock in my life any longer. That will make me happy.
From the July 2007 issue of FFT