Ronaldo’s six weeks at Capbreton on the road to 2002 glory | OneFootball

In late 2000, Ronaldo spent six weeks at Capbreton’s CERS, rebuilding after a right knee patellar tendon rupture. The Inter Milan striker worked through a strict programme on the road to Brazil’s fifth star in 2002.

L'Équipe reports that he arrived in Biarritz with physio Nilton Petrone and Inter doctor Franco Combi, then began a cautious plan led by Dr Patrick Middleton with physio Rémy Roulland and fitness coach Charlie Ducamp. Surgery had been in Paris by Professor Gérard Saillant.

The tendon had partially torn on 21 November the previous year against Lecce, and a brief April return in the Coppa Italia at Lazio ended with a collapse. At Capbreton he trained five to six hours a day, Monday to Saturday midday, without interference from club, country or sponsors.

Morning mobility and strength led into cardio on elliptical or stepper, then pool drills for balance, sometimes on pebbles. He accepted the pain and kept going. After two weeks flexion reached 110 degrees, later 135 degrees was confirmed at Pitié Salpêtrière.

He slept off site in Seignosse with wife Milene Domingues and son Ronald, tried golf for the first time, and kept a low profile. He dined with Abdelatif Benazzi in San Sebastián, charmed in several languages, and turned downtime into playful wagers and trick shots.

He resumed running and ball work at the local stadium, re-grooving stride and lateral movement. He left on 13 December, then headed home and back to Milan. On 30 June 2002 he scored both goals in the 2-0 final and dedicated them to Saillant in Yokohama.

Source: L'Équipe