Ronaldo faces surgery on torn tendon

ROME, Feb. 14 (UPI) -- Brazilian soccer great Ronaldo was taken to Rome for surgery on a ruptured tendon in his right knee, an injury that threatened to end his career.

Ronaldo was injured Wednesday while playing for AC Milan against Livorno. Ronaldo entered the game in the second half and fell while leaping for control of ball.

"I heard a horrible sound, like a bang. It was a strange sound," Livorno goalkeeper Marco Amelia, who was near the play, told ANSA, the Italian news agency.

Ronaldo was scheduled to have surgery in Rome by the same team that operated on a similar injury to his left knee in November 1999. Officials didn't offer a prognosis other than to say Ronaldo was in very good physical shape and medical advances since his previous tendon operation had greatly improved, ANSA said.

Ronaldo, 31, was named the World Player of the Year in 1996, 1997 and 2002 and owns the World Cup record with 15 career goals in 19 games over three tournaments. He was on the Brazilian team that won the World Cup in 2002 and was the runner-up in 1998.