SAO PAULO, March 22 - Brazil coach Carlos Alberto
Parreira said on Wednesday he was counting on Ronaldo to serve
as an example to his team at the World Cup despite his unhappy
recent form.
Parreira was also confident that Ronaldo would put his Real
Madrid troubles behind him as Brazil challenge for an
unpredecented sixth World Cup win in Germany.
"He has to lead the national team," Parreira said during an
event in Sao Paulo. "He has to be a model and an example."
Parreira remembered that Ronaldo arrived at the 2002 World
Cup amid doubts about his fitness and finished as the
tournament's top goalscorer with eight goals as Brazil won the
title.
"When people start questioning him, it serves as an
incentive for Ronaldo," Parreira said. "It will be a surprise
and a disappointment for me if Ronaldo doesn't have a great
World Cup."
Ronaldo has been left on the bench by Real recently but
Parreira said this would not affect his chances of being
selected by his country.
"In the national team, a player is not just picked for what
he's doing at the moment but also by what he's done in the
past."