Brazil icon Ronaldo in intensive care with pneumonia

WORLD Cup winner Ronaldo was in intensive care in Ibiza yesterday, suffering from pneumonia.

The 41-year-old former Brazil striker tweeted that he became ill on Friday but hopes to be discharged today.

Ronaldo scored 62 times for

Brazil, including both goals when they beat Germany in the 2002 World Cup final.

The former Real Madrid forward, who also played for Barcelona, Inter Milan and AC Milan, thanked fans for their support.

Ronaldo, regarded as one of the world’s best-ever players, owns a house in Ibiza and is a regular visitor to the island.

He is believed to have arrived there for a summer break a few days ago.

Ronaldo is said to have been diagnosed with pneumonia after being taken to Can Misses Hospital on Friday evening.

Respected island daily Diario de Ibiza said he had asked for a transfer to a private hospital called Clinica Nuestra Señora del Rosario just before midnight the same day.

It quoted hospital sources as saying he was still in intensive care but making good progress. Staff at Can Misses Hospital said they were unable to give out any information for “data protection reasons”.

Ronaldo retired from football in 2011 after a glittering career.

The centre-forward, whose full name is Ronaldo Luis Nazario de Lima, after retirement battled weight issues caused by a thyroid problem.

In January 2012, he became ill with dengue fever and posted a picture of himself on Twitter hooked up to a drip in hospital, alongside the message: “Good morning to all those who began the New Year with dengue.”

Pneumonia is swelling of the tissue in one or both lungs and is usually caused by a bacterial infection.

Symptoms, which include a cough and difficulty breathing, can develop suddenly over 24 to 48 hours.

It can be life-threatening, especially among the elderly and among those with underlying health conditions.

Ronaldo won two La Liga titles with Real Madrid and the Uefa Cup with Inter Milan. He was part of the Brazil squad who won the 1994 World Cup, although he did not play, and also helped them reach the 1998 final, where they lost to France.

He won the Ballon d’or as the world’s best player in 1997 and 2002.