PARIS - AC Milan striker Ronaldo has admitted for the first time that he may never play football again.
The Brazilian was released from hospital in Paris on Friday as he begins his long road to recovery after rupturing tendons in his left knee.
Ronaldo is expected to be sidelined for up to a year but the striker, who has endured significant time on the sidelines due to knee injuries before, said he had not decided whether to call time on his playing career.
"If I feel good and I don't feel pain I will continue to play," said Ronaldo.
"If my body allows me to I will return.
"To leave football would be a difficult decision but now I am thinking of recovering in the best way possible as of course the injury was an extremely harsh blow.
He added: "My desire is to continue playing. My heart wants me to play but me body is sending me signals that it's tired.
"This period will be useful in that it will allow me to recover physically, also to let me lead a normal life in future."
Ronaldo is no stranger to serious knee injuries having suffered two while at Inter Milan.
The 31-year-old was operated on by the same surgeons in 2000 and recovered to help Brazil lift the World Cup two years later.
And Ronaldo will draw on his previous experiences as he attempts to get back onto the pitch.
"My motivation is the same as it was in 2000," he added.
"The first injury was a complete novelty, now I already have a similar experience behind me. We know what we have to do and we'll try to do it in the best way possible to return to playing.
"There's always the love for football, the passion for this sport and the desire to score goals. And that's the light I see at the end of the tunnel. But it won't be easy."
While Ronaldo may return to football, the player dubbed 'Il Fenomeno' may have played his last game for AC Milan.
His contract at the Rossoneri ends on June 30 and while the club claim they will not abandon the player, Ronaldo admits he could leave the Serie A giants.
"I have a deal until June," he continued.
"Milan for me is like a big family. At this moment I'm not in the right conditions to talk about a contract."
However, the 31-year-old striker indicated he may make a return to his homeland and end his career with Flamengo should Milan opt not to extend his contract.
"I have always wanted to finish at Flamengo," he said.
"Now I have to overcome a very tough obstacle: before thinking about Flamengo I have to overcome this difficulty. Until now I have always obtained everything I wanted: I succeeded with difficulty, with sacrifice, with sweat and also with tears.
"Now I feel fulfilled, both from a professional point of view and a personal. I would like to thank everyone, from the president Lula - who sent me a message - to the last stranger who is a fan of me. All this gives me the strength to overcome this moment."
