Eager to return to the soccer field, Ronaldo expressed on Thursday his frustration from being sidelined.

To worsen the situation, the player's off-the-field life has come into the spotlight, making him anxious to return in order to change the type of attention he gets from the media. Unofficially, the player may debut in a Corinthians shirt on March 8 during an away game against Palmeiras.

The game against Palmeiras will be held in the city of Presidente Prudente. It will be valid for the Sao Paulo state championship.

Ronaldo has spent the last year sidelined due to a torn ligament in his left knee. The player returned to Brazil to undergo physical therapy. He was welcomed at the Flamengo soccer club to rehabilitate, but later decided to ditch the team from Riode Janeiro and head to Sao Paulo to play for Corinthians.

After dropping five kilos, the player has as his goal to lose four more before returning to the grass.

"I know that everyone is anxious for me to return just as much as I am. But, now is not the right time. I just had some tests done comparing the strength of my left and right legs and it appears that my right leg is nearly 30 percent stronger than my left. This puts any hastened return to the field at risk of a re-injury. I will play my first game when my left leg is just as strong as my right," described Ronaldo.

Ronaldo also demonstrated his hopes of returning to the sport in front of his home crowd. However, he also recognized that the decision is not up to him, but rather the coaching staff.

As soon as Ronaldo is ready to return, the team's head coach, Mano Menezes, hopes to suit him up and test out his new weapon.

(Xinhua News Agency Feburary 6, 2009)