Ronaldo to undergo surgery

The three-time FIFA world player of the year was injured in AC Milan's 1-1 draw with Livorno in the Serie A on Wednesday. "He fears for his career," Milan president Silvio Berlusconi told state RAI TV. "I called him last evening and told him to believe in himself. He has enormous physical potential. This morning, he was going to France for an operation. "As a 31-year-old, he's very young. He has an extraordinary physique, and I think within a few months he could return to being the champion that we all know him as."

In Paris, Ronaldo is expected to see Gerard Saillant, the same surgeon who treated him for a similar injury to his right knee in 2000.

The injury occurred two minutes after Ronaldo entered the game during a play that earned Milan an equalizing penalty. The Brazilian was carried off the field crying.

Ronaldo has battled serious injuries throughout his career, and has played sparingly since joining Milan from Real Madrid in January 2007. Wednesday's match was only his fifth in Serie A this season. Ronaldo injured his thigh during preseason training on July 31. He returned in November, but has been on and off the roster due to a series of recurring problems.