AC Milan have yet to commit to a new contract for injured Ronaldo after the Brazil striker was ruled out for at least nine months following knee surgery.
The 31-year-old's deal runs out in June and, with question marks hanging over his career, the European champions are not guaranteeing him a fresh contract despite saying they hope he plays for them again.
Former Real Madrid player Ronaldo underwent surgery on his left knee in Paris on Thursday after being carried off in Wednesday's 1-1 Serie A draw with Livorno, only his sixth appearance in an already injury-plagued season.
The three-times World Player of the Year sustained a similar injury while with Inter Milan in 2000 but came back to help Brazil win the 2002 World Cup.
"Milan will do everything so that Ronaldo's desire to be a great champion returns," coach Carlo Ancelotti told a news conference on Friday, without mentioning a new contract.
RONALDO DESIRE
Dutch midfielder Clarence Seedorf told the BBC he feared his team mate's playing days could be over but Ancelotti said that was premature.
"No one can know if Ronaldo's career is over or not," said the coach. "I can't know and neither can Seedorf.
"Only Ronaldo can know and he knows what he is up against. It all depends on his desire."
Milan said before the injury Ronaldo's deal would be renewed if the often-overweight striker recovered his fitness and form.
The club are not rushing into a decision over whether to give him a short-term contract as a carrot to get fit.
Chief executive Adriano Galliani said the injury was not as bad as the one suffered eight years ago and Ronaldo would probably stay in the Paris hospital for a week.
The Brazilian could continue his rehabilitation in Milan or with his son in Madrid, he added.His father Nelio Nazario da Lima told reporters in Paris: "My son is used to fighting and I am sure he will return to playing."
Ronaldo is the all-time leading scorer in World Cup finals with 15 goals in three tournaments.
The 31-year-old's deal runs out in June and, with question marks hanging over his career, the European champions are not guaranteeing him a fresh contract despite saying they hope he plays for them again.
Former Real Madrid player Ronaldo underwent surgery on his left knee in Paris on Thursday after being carried off in Wednesday's 1-1 Serie A draw with Livorno, only his sixth appearance in an already injury-plagued season.
The three-times World Player of the Year sustained a similar injury while with Inter Milan in 2000 but came back to help Brazil win the 2002 World Cup.
"Milan will do everything so that Ronaldo's desire to be a great champion returns," coach Carlo Ancelotti told a news conference on Friday, without mentioning a new contract.
RONALDO DESIRE
Dutch midfielder Clarence Seedorf told the BBC he feared his team mate's playing days could be over but Ancelotti said that was premature.
"No one can know if Ronaldo's career is over or not," said the coach. "I can't know and neither can Seedorf.
"Only Ronaldo can know and he knows what he is up against. It all depends on his desire."
Milan said before the injury Ronaldo's deal would be renewed if the often-overweight striker recovered his fitness and form.
The club are not rushing into a decision over whether to give him a short-term contract as a carrot to get fit.
Chief executive Adriano Galliani said the injury was not as bad as the one suffered eight years ago and Ronaldo would probably stay in the Paris hospital for a week.
The Brazilian could continue his rehabilitation in Milan or with his son in Madrid, he added.His father Nelio Nazario da Lima told reporters in Paris: "My son is used to fighting and I am sure he will return to playing."
Ronaldo is the all-time leading scorer in World Cup finals with 15 goals in three tournaments.
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