Brazilian striker Ronaldo ahead of schedule

Oct 25, 2008 - 2:38 AM RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (Ticker) -- Ronaldo's recovery from a career-threatening knee injury is ahead of schedule, according to physiotherapist Bruno Mazziotti as the 32-year-old looks to resurrect his career.

The striker ruptured a tendon in his left knee back in February while playing for AC Milan and has been working alongside Mazziotti and Brazil doctor Jose Luiz Runco in a bid to regain his fitness.

Currently a free agent, Ronaldo, who is training with Brazilian side Flamengo, has been linked with a number of European clubs and Mazziotti insisted he is making excellent progress with his rehabilitation.

"We are working to increase the knee's resistance, the results are beyond what we expected. I can say that he is 30 or 40 percent of the level he was at in the 2002 World Cup," he told globoesporte.com.

"He is now a professional athlete doing a preseason. As he doesn't have a club, his preparation is very lengthy, which will be very important when he is ready to return."