Brazilian striker Ronaldo pushed back Friday against persistent media scrutiny of his physique, saying the ongoing discussion was pointless and that he deserved greater respect from journalists covering the World Cup in Germany.
The Real Madrid forward said criticism of his weight had continued for three years and questioned why arriving at a major tournament a kilogram heavier than expected should generate such attention. He also downplayed recent physical issues, including blisters from breaking in new boots and a mild fever.
The controversy reached an unexpected level when Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva raised Ronaldo's weight during a videolink call with the squad. Ronaldo, who was not part of the call, said he was disappointed by the president's remarks but believed Lula had been swayed by newspaper coverage rather than forming an independent judgment.
Ronaldo, whose goals secured Brazil's victory over Germany in the 2002 World Cup final, also objected to tabloid-style reporting on players' private activities during time off. "I just want respect," he said, adding that such stories were not genuinely newsworthy.
Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this wire report, first published in June 2006, in its own words.