Close to one hour after saying that he would withstand the insults of fans due to Corinthians´ bad moment, Ronaldo couldn´t contain himself and exploded by giving a rude sign to fans, an action that isn´t typical of the player. Ronaldo pointed his middle finger to a group of around 30 fans after Corinthians were beaten 1-0 by Paulista.

The Corinthians squad needed the help of police to escape from the insults. Ronaldo was the most insulted player of the squad, with the fans calling him “fatty” after a poor display. One of the fans claimed that Ronaldo was “robbing from my team.” Tired of the insults Ronaldo entered his BMW and took off.

Ronaldo has experienced a dip in form in recent weeks, and this has played against his chances of making Brazil´s 2010 World Cup squad.

With only seven wins from 16 matches Corinthians are currently in fifth position of the Paulista State championship with 26 points, nine points behind league leaders Santos.

Gregory Sica

Southamericanfutbol.com

Former Brazilian international Roberto Carlos has agreed to join Corinthians in 2010, signing a two-year contract that will see the player reunite with Ronaldo as the side intend to win the Copa Libertadores for the first time. Roberto Carlos, 36, confirmed that he plans to retire at the conclusion of his Corinthians contract.

Roberto Carlos returns to Brazilian football after spending 15 years in Europe, where he starred for Real Madrid, Inter Milan and Fenerbahce.

“It’s an important year for Corinthians, playing the Libertadores in their centenary year,” he said. “This title would mean the same, or even more, than the (Champions League) I won with Real Madrid in Europe. It’s one of few titles I haven’t won in my career.”

Roberto Carlos, who will always be remembered for his trademark freekicks, was welcomed to Corinthians by more than 3,000 fans at the Pacaembu stadium.

The left-back is delighted to have the opportunity to play with former teammate and close friend Ronaldo at this stage of his career.

“Ronaldo is not only my friend, I can call him my brother,” Roberto Carlos said. “I’ve learned a lot with him and it’s great to see him scoring goals again.”

Between 1991 and 1995 Roberto Carlos played for Corinthians´ arch-rivals Palmeiras.

Gregory Sica

Southamericanfutbol.com

Andres Sanchez, the president of Corinthians, rejected any type of slacking from his team for the Brazilian league match against Flamengo in Campinas on Sunday. The president reaffirmed the words of manager Mano Menezes and promised that Corinthians will be strong and committed opponents against Flamengo.

“We would never lose on purpose. The champions will have to earn the title. If it happens to be Flamengo, it will be on merit. Corinthians will not make things easier. This does not happen here,” said the president.

For Sanchez, the goalless draw between Flamengo and Goias in the previous round at Maracana tilted the title Sao Paulo´s way.

“I believe Sao Paulo will be the champions,” he claimed.

Sao Paulo leads the Brazilian league with 62 points. Flamengo comes next with 61. Internacional and Palmeiras follow with 59 points.

Lucas de Aragao

Southamericanfutbol.com

Two-time world champion, Ronaldo, admitted to the press that he is overweight and not worthy of playing for the Brazilian national team at the moment, even if he is scoring on a regular basis for club side Corinthians in the Brazilian league.

“Right now, I wouldn´t choose myself. The Brazilian national team are at a very high level. I want to confess it, I´m fat. The television fattens you three kilos. Here I have three cameras beside me. Imagine, three kilos for every camera,” joked Ronaldo.

Ronaldo (33) also spoke about his chances of making Dunga´s delegation for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

“I think it will depend a lot on the first semester (of 2010). It is the centenary year (of Corinthians), and we will take part in the Paulista championship and the Copa Libertadores.“

Despite a number of injury setbacks, Ronaldo has continued to be one of the most prolific strikers in the whole of Brazil.

Gregory Sica

Southamericanfutbol.com

Former Brazilian international Roberto Carlos confirmed a verbal agreement with Corinthians, and will join the club in 2010.  The Timao have already assured themselves of qualification for the Copa Libertadores of next year.

“We have agreed on it verbally, but nothing has yet to be signed. We are close to a definite agreement, but we will wait until the end of the year, because I´m still on the books at Fenerbahce. Later on we will talk,” Roberto Carlos told TV Bandeirantes.

However, Corinthians director Mario Gobbi denied claims linking the former Inter Milan and Real Madrid player to the club.

Gobbi stated that Roberto Carlos´ demands were still “very high” and that city rivals Santos are also interested in the player.

Roberto Carlos told the press that he will likely sign a two year contract, with an option for a further season if he is “playing well.”

If the Brazilian finally joins the club he will reunite with 2002 World Cup winning team-mate Ronaldo. The two also played together at Real Madrid.

Another player who interests Corinthians is Boca Juniors playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme. There has been ongoing speculation that the player could also move to the Timao next year.

Gregory Sica

Southamericanfutbol.com

Ronaldo scored twice, but it wasn´t enough as Corinthians drew 2-2 with Palmeiras in an action packed derby at the Prudentao stadium on Sunday. With the draw Palmeiras retained league leadership with only five rounds left in the Brasileiro.

Brazilian superstar Ronaldo put Corinthians ahead in the 38th minute when he converted a penalty kick. 2002 World Cup winning team-mate Marcos reduced Palmeiras to ten men in the process of giving away the spot kick.

Palmeiras drew level with a header from defender Danilo in the 51st minute.

But Ronaldo put Corinthians back into the lead in the 66th minute after latching onto a good through ball from Matias Defederico with a good finish from a tight angle.

It was Ronaldo´s 10th goal in the Brazilian league, and his 21st goal since he joined Corinthians.

However, Mauricio earned Palmeiras a point with another header five minutes from full time.

Sao Paulo edged closer after a 1-0 victory over Barueri with a first half strike from midfielder Jorge Wagner on Saturday. The defending champions share top spot with Palmeiras.

Brazil´s most popular club, Flamengo, beat Santos 1-0 with an early goal from former Inter Milan striker Adriano. To the delight of the 80,ooo crowd at Maracana stadium, Flamengo goalkeeper Bruno saved two penalty kicks from midfielder Paulo Henrique.

Meanwhile, Atletico Mineiro are still in the hunt to win their first title since 1971 when they overcame Goias 3-2 at the Serra Dourada stadium. The league´s top scorer, Diego Tardelli, converted the spot kick that handed Atletico the three points. Ricardinho and Eder Luis scored their other two goals.

Finally, Internacional are practically out of the title race after falling to a 1-0 defeat against Botafogo at the Beira-Rio stadium.

In other matches, Fluminense beat Cruzeiro 3-2, Santo Andre defeated Gremio 2-0 and Coritiba sneaked past Vitoria 1-0.

Gregory Sica

Southamericanfutbol.com

Ronaldo scored his first goal since breaking his hand more than two months ago to give Corinthians a 1-1 draw in the Paulista derby against rivals Sao Paulo at the Morumbi stadium on Sunday.

The former World Player of the Year took advantage of a lapse of concentration in the Sao Paulo defence to put Corinthians ahead in the 20th minute. However, substitute Washington earned Sao Paulo a point in the 70th minute with a firmly struck shot. Washington was sent off in second half injury-time after a second bookable offence.

During the game Ronaldo looked as dangerous as ever, but it was evident that he still wasn’t at full fitness. He was substituted in the 77th minute. The match also marked the debut of Argentine prodigy Matias Defederico who joined Corinthians from Huracan. But the attacking midfielder made little impact.

On Saturday, Palmeiras increased their lead at the top of the standings to five points after beating Atletico Paranaense 2-1 at the Palestra Italia stadium. Luis Figueroa and Danilo scored Palmeiras’ two goals, while Chico pulled a goal back for the visitors.

In Saturday’s only other game Cruzeiro beat Barueri 1-0 thanks to a strike from former Brazilian international Gilberto.

Goias climbed into second-place after edging Gremio 2-1 in front of 15,000 fans at the Serra Dourada stadium in Goiania. Souza put Gremio ahead in the first half, but goals from Leo Lima and Felipe earned Goias the three points.

In Porto Alegre, Internacional failed to move closer towards the league leaders, after being held to a goalless draw by Flamengo. The game lacked rhythm and this had much to do with the state of the surface, that was drenched with water. Internacional find themselves in fourth-place, while Flamengo are in eighth-place.

Atletico Mineiro moved into fifth-place after beating Santos 3-1 courtesy of two goals from Brazilian international Diego Tardelli and another from Evandro. Kleber Pereira converted for Santos.

In other matches, Coritiba beat Nautico 2-0, Fluminense edged Avai 3-2, Vitoria downed Botafogo 3-1, and finally Sport Recife defeated Santo Andre 2-1.

Diego Tardelli (Atletico Mineiro), Adriano (Flamengo) and Jonas (Gremio) share top spot of the scoring charts with thirteen goals each.

Gregory Sica

Goal.com

Southamericanfutbol.com

Adriano claimed his tenth goal of the season to give Flamengo an important 1-0 victory over rivals Corinthians at Maracana stadium on Sunday.

The former Inter Milan striker became the Brazilian league’s leading scorer with the goal. Having missed two clear-cut opportunities during the game, Adriano made up for this by handing Flamengo the three points with a clinical finish.

After picking up a loose ball in the area, he fired a left-footed shot that went in off the right post. The strike came with a little more than half an hour left in the game.

The win moved Flamengo up to seventh position in the standings with 27 points from 18 matches. Corinthians couldn’t count with the services of star striker Ronaldo, who broke his hand a few weeks ago.

Flamengo’s crosstown rivals, Fluminense, remain in the relegation zone after fighting out an entertaining 2-2 draw with Vitoria in the city of Salvador. Luiz Alberto and Roni scored for Fluminense, while Willian and Roger found the back of the net for Vitoria.

Brazilian champions Sao Paulo continued their sudden revival with a 3-1 victory over Goias at the Morumbi stadium. Sao Paulo’s goals were converted by Washington, Jorge Wagner and Borges, while Meneghel scored the lone goal for the visitors. With the triumph, Sao Paulo climbed into fourth place with 30 points.

Cruzeiro picked up an important 3-1 win away at Coritiba, a result that has taken some pressure off the squad. But with only six wins in 17 matches, the Belo Horizonte giants have been struggling a great deal.

Meanwhile, Barueri claimed another shock result, this time edging Gremio 1-0 to move into an impressive fifth place. The Brasileiro newcomers have been the revelation of the season.

On Saturday, Atletico Paranaense beat Botafogo 1-0, Nautico edged Santo Andre 2-1, and Santos and Avai fought out a 2-2 draw.

Gregory Sica

Goal.com

Southamericanfutbol.com

Five-time Brazilian champions, Flamengo, came from behind to defeat Santos 2-1 at the Vila Belmiro stadium in Sao Paulo on Sunday.

Having taken the lead through midfielder Robson with twenty minutes left in the second half, Santos saw victory slip out of their hands after goals from former Inter Milan striker Adriano and an own goal from Santos defender Para two minutes from full-time.

Adriano’s goal was very impressive as he powered a long-range drive into the back of the net. It was his eighth goal of the season, making him the league’s second leading scorer along with four other players.

With the result Flamengo find themselves in 9th place with 20 points, while Santos are in 12th place with 18 points.

In the Paulista derby, Palmeiras claimed an emphatic 3-0 victory over arch-rivals Corinthians at the Prudentao stadium. Obina scored a superb hat-trick to hand Palmeiras a crucial win that saw them join Atletico Mineiro at the top of the table with 28 points.

Corinthians striker Ronaldo came off just twenty minutes into the match after injuring his left hand when fighting for the ball with an opponent. It is believed that the striker fractured his hand.

Atletico Mineiro missed a great opportunity to remain top on their own, after falling to an unexpected 1-0 defeat to Goias, despite the support of a massive home crowd at the Mineirao stadium. Former Boca Juniors and Internacional midfielder Iarley scored a late goal to give the visitors maximum points.

On Saturday, Botafogo edged Internacional 3-2 at the Engenhao stadium in Rio de Janeiro, with goals from Wellington, Andre Lima and Alessandro. Andrezinho and Leandrao scored for Inter.

Meanwhile, Gremio came from behind to beat Santo Andre 3-2 at the Olimpico stadium in Porto Alegre. Gremio scored through Rafael Marques (2) and Souza. Antonio Flavio and Ricardo Goulart converted for the visitors.

The most exciting match of the round was the 3-3 draw between Sport Recife and Nautico that marked the 100th anniversary of the biggest derby of the region. Carlinhos Bala starred for Nautico, as he scored twice but also missed a penalty.

In other matches, Sao Paulo won 2-1 at Barueri, Fluminense drew 1-1 with Cruzeiro and Vitoria defeated Coritiba 1-0.

For now the leading scorer of the championship is Val Baiano of Barueri with nine goals.

Gregory Sica

Goal.com

Southamericanfutbol.com

Ronaldo continued his outstanding form by scoring a goal in Corinthians’ 2-1 victory over his former club Cruzeiro at the Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte on Sunday.

Having began his career at Cruzeiro sixteen years ago, Ronaldo was honoured by the club before the Brazilian league match.

Ronaldo, 32, was very lively during the game and he set up Corinthians’ first goal with an exquisite through ball to Jorge Henrique that allowed the player to round the goalkeeper before slotting home.

Five minutes later, Ronaldo had a great opportunity to double Cruzeiro’s lead when Corinthians were awarded a penalty, when his powerful goal-bound effort was cleared off the line by the hands of Leonardo Silva.

The confident veteran stepped up to the ball without a run-up and his weak effort was saved by Cruzeiro goalkeeper Fabio.

But Ronaldo redeemed himself late in the second half, when he fired the ball home after excellent work from midfielder Jucilei. It was Ronaldo’s sixth goal in two weeks.

Kleber pulled a goal back for Cruzeiro five minutes from full-time when he blasted in a penalty kick.

With the win, Corinthians climbed into fifth place in the league standings with 20 points.

In the traditional Gre-Nal derby, Gremio came from behind to defeat arch-rivals Internacional 2-1 for their first victory in the fixture in seven attempts.

Inter went ahead with a strike from Nilmar in the first half, but Souza drew Gremio level with a trademark free-kick moments later. Argentine striker Maxi Lopez earned Gremio the three points with a powerful header in the second half.

Meanwhile, the Rio de Janeiro derby between Flamengo and Botafogo ended in a 2-2 draw. Former Inter Milan striker Adriano scored one of Flamengo’s goals.

Atletico Mineiro retained the championship lead despite a goalless draw with Vitoria in Salvador. Palmeiras follow them in second place, after beating Santo Andre 1-0 on Saturday.

In other matches, Sao Paulo edged Santos 2-1, Barueri thrashed Nautico 4-0 and the derby between Atletico Paranaense and Coritiba ended goalless.

Gregory Sica

Goal.com

Southamericanfutbol.com