Ronaldo will show true class at AC Milan

There is more talk about his expanding midriff than his knack for receiving the ball in midfield, charging past the most elite of defenders and firing the ball into the net, leaving his team-mates awed, the crowd on their feet and his opponents terrified of more to come from this unstoppable force of nature.

Having joined Real Madrid at the peak of his brilliance, a Ronaldo-inspired team won what was to be his only title with the Spanish club - even though the talismanic Brazilian was the team's leading scorer with 104 goals in the four seasons he was there. During the latter stages of his stay in Madrid, the critics were at it again, blaming his weight gain and off-field antics for the team's poor form.

The most remarkable fact is that Ronaldo, even with that weight increase, still remained one of the most lethal performers on the pitch. Persistent knee injuries may have robbed him of pace, but El Phenomeno still remained every bit of the brilliant striker he is. Although the Brazilian national team did not get past the quarter-finals at last year’s World Cup, Ronaldo achieved a personal best and in the process sent out a message to his critics never to doubt him and his footballing prowess.

Those who had written him off before the World Cup were amused by the masses when he became the tournament's top goal scorer, with a record aggregate of 15 goals credited to his name. In spite of the mounting condemnation he was facing, Ronaldo remained humble and diplomatic and ultimately proved that form is temporary and class permanent.

And he wasn’t finished there. After initial negotiations between Milan and Madrid failed before the start of the new season, he was raring to fire more than ever. Sadly, he was hardly given a chance by new coach Fabio Capello and when he was finally released, the three-times World Player of the Year was cursed with another drawback in the form of recurring knee injuries.

Yet he pledged 30 goals for the club and on his return to the pitch showed every bit of the magnificent player he is, even saving Madrid from a potential embarrassing 2-0 loss to Dynamo Kiev in the Champions League round of 16, after scoring a double in the dying minutes of the game.

He had done exactly what the coach wanted - lost weight and got himself fitter. If only Fabio Capello, through his designer spectacles, had seen this. The lack of respect shown to this prolific striker was abysmal. Capello simply did not like him and relegated Ronaldo to warming the bench game after game, like some sort of part-time player.

During the season, until his departure to the Rossoneri, Ronaldo scored just one goal in seven appearances, almost always coming on as a substitute and hardly given the chance to prove himself. Hence, before his career ended in misery, Ronaldo answered the call of the San Siro and is out to prove himself once more.

His recent turbulent spell will no doubt provide him with all the motivation he needs - and a player who has enjoyed such comeback stories as he has will only strive harder to prove that it ain’t over yet. The greatest striker we have seen will be back, rocking the San Siro with his Midas touch. Ronaldo’s renaissance is about to begin.

Will Ronaldo be a success with AC Milan - or is he past his sell-by date? Thoughts and comments to Sportingo.

Manisha Maligaspe