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Ronaldo move to Real Madrid confirmed
2002-08-31
MADRID - After weeks of negotiations, Brazilian striker and World Cup star Ronaldo finally was acquired by Spanish giant Real Madrid from Italian side Internazionale Milan on Saturday in one of the most expensive deals in soccer history. The deal was agreed to Saturday, minutes prior to the transfer deadline in Europe. Real paid more than $46 million for the 25-year-old striker and a player of Inter Milan's choice to make available in the winter transfer window. Ronaldo scored eight goals for World Cup winner Brazil, including the two in the final against Germany. He will undergo a physical examination and will meet the media Monday at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid. Inter Milan confirmed the deal and added it will purchase Argentine striker Hernan Crespo from Lazio as a replacement. Ronaldo had been sidelined or hampered by knee injuries since the 1998 World Cup. He joined Inter from Barcelona in 1997. Following the World Cup, Ronaldo said he was unhappy at Inter and wanted to leave for Spain. Ronaldo will be available to play in Real's opening Champions League match at AS Roma of Italy on September 17. The European Cup is the only silverware missing from the Brazilian's collection. He won the World Cup with Brazil in 1998 and 2002, the UEFA Cup with Inter in 1998 and the Cup Winners' Cup with Barcelona in 1997. The addition of Ronaldo gives Real one of the most talented rosters in soccer with the likes of Frenchman Zinedine Zidane, Portuguese midfielder Luis Figo and Spanish striker Raul. Real has five of the last six World Player of the Year winners, with Ronaldo and Zidane claiming it twice each and Figo once. Ticker
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