Milan comfort Ronaldo but no talk of new deal

By Mark Meadows

MILAN (Reuters) - AC Milan have yet to commit to a new contract for injured Ronaldo after the Brazil striker was ruled out for at least nine months following knee surgery.

The 31-year-old's deal runs out in June and, with question marks hanging over his career, the European champions are not guaranteeing him a fresh contract despite saying they hope he plays for them again.

Former Real Madrid player Ronaldo underwent surgery on his left knee in Paris on Thursday after being carried off in Wednesday's 1-1 Serie A draw with Livorno, only his sixth appearance in an already injury-plagued season.

The three-times World Player of the Year sustained a similar injury while with Inter Milan in 2000 but came back to help Brazil win the 2002 World Cup.

"Milan will do everything so that Ronaldo's desire to be a great champion returns," coach Carlo Ancelotti told a news conference on Friday, without mentioning a new contract.

RONALDO DESIRE

Dutch midfielder Clarence Seedorf told the BBC he feared his team mate's playing days could be over but Ancelotti said that was premature.

"No one can know if Ronaldo's career is over or not," said the coach. "I can't know and neither can Seedorf.