Ronaldo focusing on knee, not future team

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil - Ronaldo is just focused on rehabbing his knee, not what team he may play for in the future.

In an interview with The Associated Press and SNTV, Ronaldo downplayed recent comments that he would like to play for Manchester City or Paris Saint Germain.

``I'm fully concerned about my recovery, about making my knee 100 percent,'' he said after a lengthy workout session. ``I don't know where I'm going to be two months from now.''

The 31-year-old three-time FIFA player of the year ruptured a tendon in his left knee in a Serie A match in February. He has been without a club since his contract with AC Milan expired in June, but recently said he would like to play in England or France.

``We've had some contact with Manchester City - I'm really interested, they're a great club,'' he said, although he declined to specify what type of contact he has had with the Premier League side.

Earlier this week, City officials said their interest in Ronaldo had faded after luring Brazilian star Robinho away from Real Madrid, along with the acquisition of Jo from CSKA Moscow earlier in the offseason.

For the past two weeks, Ronaldo has been training in Rio de Janeiro on the practice grounds of Flamengo, Brazil's most popular club and the team he cheered for while growing up.

The former Brazil striker - who is the all-time World Cup scoring leader - has been mocked in the Brazilian press for being overweight after being photographed during vacation in Ibiza.

In a Friday afternoon practice, he was visibly in better shape - but admitted he was still heavier than he would like. While not moving with the agility of a player fully recovered, Ronaldo was forcefully kicking the ball with both his right and left legs - something he has only been able to do in recent days.

Ronaldo said he would ``like to return to the national team, if I can,'' but declined to comment on the performance of coach Dunga, who has come under intense pressure for the side's lackluster results in World Cup qualifiers.

After winning so many awards, Ronaldo said his motivation for battling back from a severe injury was simple.

``After all the sacrifices I've made, I want to end my career on a high note,'' he said. ``My big motivation is the love I have for football. This entire battle I'm enduring because of my injury will only be worth it when I return.''