Pele doubts that Brazil striker Ronaldo will ever fully recover from knee surgery.
"To return to his level of play after two serious injuries, I think it is difficult," the soccer great said of the AC Milan striker in a television interview broadcast Friday.
Ronaldo, a three-time FIFA player of the year, ruptured a tendon in his left knee in a league game last month. He had a successful operation and began physical therapy, but doctors say he will be sidelined for about eight months.
The 31-year-old striker said Thursday that he hopes to return to top-level play.
But Pele said Ronaldo would have more trouble now recovering his top physical condition.
"Medicine has made progress, but Ronaldo's age did, too," Pele said.
Ronaldo has battled serious injuries throughout his career, including a right knee injury eight years ago that kept him out for a season. But he returned to lead Brazil to a record fifth World Cup title in 2002, leading all scorers with eight goals.
"He recovered and played an excellent World Cup," said Pele, who won three World Cup titles in his career.
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