Sports Notes - RONALDO & BRAZIL: Is FAT Where It's At? - June 2006

James Loving - National Radio Text Service - Monday June 26, 2006

World Cup record wins and goals equate to BRAZIL & RONALDO

You can say what you want about the fatness of Brazil's Ronaldo but the bottom line is no matter how fat he is he can still play.

The often-criticized striker scored two goals Thursday night in Brazil's 4-1 victory over Japan to top Group F and a place in the second round of 16. It was Brazil's record 10th straight World Cup win.

Ronaldo's now total of 14 World Cup goals ties him for the record with Germany's Gerd Mueller.

In the world of finger pointing Ronaldo has been accused of not being in top shape. What many critics don't take into account is why does someone have to be slim to be effective.

An example is America's Major League Baseball's long time home run record holder BABE RUTH was a portly person but that didn't affect they way he played. He held the home run title for over 70 years with many of his challengers being svelte or possessing the body of Adonis. When Ruth made his 60 home run record in 1927 the league played a 154 game season they now play 162.

When Ronaldo came to Thailand with Real Madrid last July to play the Thai national team it was the first time that I saw the legend in person. Yes he was fat but he was also worthy.

The thing that stood out the most was how he glided so effortlessly around the pitch. For the most part he was in the right place t the right time.

The same could be said of many of his Real Madrid teammates, Zindine Zidane in action, David Beckham, Guti, Michael Owen etc, they all seemed to glide around the pitch.

Some players know how to utilize their energy and pace. Why burn yourself out when you still can get the job done? Isn't that what pace is really all about and not excess to excess?

Barry Bonds the current single season home run hitter in the MLB (Major League Baseball) is not as thin as when he entered the league. He has hit more home runs a season after he had gained weight and after the age of 35.

The NBA's Shaquille O'Neal was considered FAT prior to winning three championships with the Los Angles Lakers. He just won his fourth NBA title with the Miami Heat as a 34-year-old and is still considered FAT. He will never be the same weight as when he entered the league.

As a team Brazil has been blasted for being slow out of the gate in not dominating on the pitch as expected in their quest to win a record sixth World Cup title.

To many it may seem that they are FAT on their success and resting on their laurels. It may seem that they are taking it slow because they know they can win.

As an England national player Indonesian national coach Peter Withe played against Brazil and said that they had the attitude that if you scored 3 goals against them they wouldn't worry because they would score 4 or 5.

Others in the beautiful game have expressed the same opinion that no matter what the situation Brazil feels that they can win and as their record proves out they usually do.

What the pundits are not factoring in is that Brazil played only one warm-up match prior to the tournament. Wouldn't that be a reason for the slow start? The first round could be their warm-up. Do they have serious injuries?

With their talent and depth they can afford to make that decision and avoid injuries in warm-up matches that don't count. Didn't France lose Cisse in a warm-up just prior to the open gaming game of the World Cup?

Brazil has players sitting at home in Brazil that could comprise a squad that could beat any team in WC competition.

The summary is that there is no guarantee that because with all of Brazil's talent that they will win the tournament. It's a no brainier that in a knockout competition any team can have a bad day and be eliminated.

Isn't that what makes the beautiful game tournament so interesting?

Why don't we just enjoy it and see what happens. But… think about this. Perhaps to some… FAT IS WHERE IT'S AT.

Ronaldinho Makes Deal... Full story

The next FIFA World Ranking will be published on July 12, 2006.

FIFA TOP TEN

Rank/Team/Points

1. Brazil - 827

2. Czech Republic - 772

3. Netherlands - 768

4. Mexico 758 -

5. USA - 756

5. Spain - 756

7. Portugal - 750

8. France - 749

9. Argentina - 746

10. England - 741

(FIFA)

1. JIM MURRAY - 2. Kobe Bryant & NBA Trivia - 3. Zico Leads Japan To World Cup. Who is Zico? - 4. Cambodia's Royal Palace - 5. Teerathep Leads Thailand to SEA Games Title - Singapore' Coach Movia - 6. Thailand Impressive against Premiere Club Sides and Real Madrid - 7. Fox Searchlight Pictures Promotes Zola Mashariki to Vice President of Production - 8. Jerome Bettis of Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers - Kobe Bryant - 9. Cambodia's ANGKOR TEMPLES - 10. Grammy Music Awards Show

Full Story NR Top 20 for May * Note - New entries in RED

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