Ronaldo gives up on Brazil return

Veteran Brazil striker Ronaldo, the all-time top scorer at World Cup finals with 15 goals, admitted Friday he was not in the frame for a shock return to the national side.

Ronaldo, now 33 and plying his trade with Corinthians of Sao Paulo, has not played for the national team since the 2006 quarter-final loss to France, which brought him his 97th cap for 62 goals.

And while he would like to don the canary yellow shirt again and would answer the call from coach Dunga, the “Phenomenon” says realistically he won’t be on the plane to South Africa.

“Given the few matches I have played this season I don’t deserve to be in the Brazilian squad, that’s clear. But I am still at the call of the coach – after all, it’s my country,” said Ronaldo, who said in February he would retire at the end of next year.