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MILAN - Ronaldo's move to AC Milan has left fans of the Serie A club distinctly unimpressed with many believing his return to the city has more to do with commercial reasons than his ability on the pitch.
AC Milan signed the Brazil striker from Real Madrid on an 18-month contract for 7.5 million euros ($14.34 million) on Wednesday (NZT).
"It's merely a commercial operation," Milan fan Giovanni Steccani, 48, said on Wednesday, adding that he doubted Ronaldo would match the performance of Ukrainian striker Andriy Shevchenko who left for Chelsea last year.
His comments were echoed by many Milan supporters at the club's official store where staff said they were receiving numerous requests for Ronaldo's red-and-black-striped jersey with the number 99.
It was not just Milan fans who were sceptical about the 30-year-old striker's move.
"They've already taken the commercial rights for his image," said 32-year-old Inter supporter Christian Giarnerio, who would not miss a game when Ronaldo played for his team from 1997 to 2002.
"Ronaldo has no motivation left," said Inter fan Davide Silenni, 16.
"Capello knows about football," he added, in reference to Real Madrid coach Fabio Capello, who criticised Ronaldo as being overweight and said the three-times FIFA World Player of the Year did not figure in his plans.
Other AC Milan fans were unhappy the club, who are ninth in the league, had bought a striker.
"We needed another defender," said Alessandro Reale, 56. "Nothing will change with Ronaldo."
However, some Milan fans believed Ronaldo would prove to be an asset to the side.
"I think he'll do well," said Rossano Mailini, 16. "Milan will get him in shape physically and he'll do an excellent job in the second half of the season."
Ronaldo, who is ineligible to play for Milan in Europe this season, scored 104 goals for Real since joining them in August 2002.
He was the club's leading scorer in each of his four previous seasons in Spain but had limited opportunities to shine following knee surgery after the World Cup last year.
- REUTERS
