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Ronaldo could call time on career

MILAN - Brazilian striker Ronaldo may retire from soccer after his latest serious knee injury, the 32-year-old said yesterday.

MILAN - Brazilian striker Ronaldo may retire from soccer after his latest serious knee injury, the 32-year-old said yesterday.

Ronaldo ruptured a tendon in his left knee playing for AC Milan in February and made his return earlier this week when he appeared for just 22 minutes in a charity match in Morocco.

His Milan contract ran out in the close season and offers from big clubs have failed to materialise for the Brazilian, who has turned down an approach from Serie A midtable side Siena.

"I thank them but I really don't know what the future holds for me," Ronaldo told Gazzetta dello Sport.

"I don't know if I will continue playing or retire. I still haven't taken a decision. There is no rush. I want to complete my recuperation. I could decide tomorrow or in a month. I really don't know."

England's Manchester City have been linked with a move for the 1997 and 2002 Ballon d'Or winner, along with Brazil's Flamengo. But the former Real Madrid player is nowhere near ready for action after struggling and looking overweight in Morocco.

"I am tired because my rehabilitation work has been hard and my legs are heavy," added Ronaldo, who suffered serious injuries to his right knee while playing for Inter Milan in 1999 and 2000 but recovered to help Brazil win the 2002 World Cup.

l Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp sacked the club's goalkeeping coach Hans Leitert yesterday after a series of costly mistakes by Heurelho Gomes.

Brazil keeper Gomes has made several high-profile errors since his pre-season move from PSV Eindhoven and Saturday's latest gaffe in Tottenham's 2-1 defeat at Fulham proved the final straw for Redknapp.

Leitert, 35, had been working closely with Gomes since the Austrian was hired by Redknapp's predecessor Juande Ramos and paid the price for the keeper's dismal form.

A statement on Tottenham's website confirmed: "We should like to thank him for his contribution and wish him well. An announcement regarding a new appointment will be made in due course."

Redknapp still believes Gomes can turn things around at Tottenham . - Reuters and Sapa-AFP

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