Ronaldo to miss Sunday match
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-01-30 09:04

Real Madrid striker Ronaldo will miss Sunday's La Liga match against Numancia due to a family issue.

The 28-year-old Brazilian star flew home to his native country to attend to a sick relative. Ronaldo is expected to return to Spain some time next week.

Brazilian football star Ronaldo, seen here in 2004, has recorded a message seeking the release of a fellow countryman -- Joao Jose Vasconcelos -- who was kidnapped by an armed Islamist group in Iraq last week, the hostage's brother said. [AFP]

"Ronaldo had to go back to his country after receiving a call from his family that he needed to be in Brazil due to a health problem of a close relative," Real Madrid said in a statement.

Ronaldo is currently tied for second in La Liga with 11 strikes. Real Madrid is in second place, seven points behind Barcelona, with the match against last-place Numancia scheduled for Sunday.

Ronaldo was received in the Rio de Janeiro airport Saturday by girlfriend Daniella Cicarelli, with whom he will marry on February 14. They boarded a helicopter without issuing any remarks.

Ronaldo's spokesman Rodrigo Paiva said the player only wanted to visit a sick relative and will be back in Spain on Monday.

The helicopter took Ronaldo and Cicarelli to the neighborhood of Barra de Tijuca, west of Rio, where the player's family lives.

Some local media versions indicate that the player was concerned about the health of his brother Nelio.

Other media speculated about a supposed dispute between Ronaldo and the new coach of Real Madrid, his compatriot Vanderlei Luxemburgo, who has replaced him in all matches.

As well, it was also said he could be in Brazil to arrange some final details required prior to his marriage with Cicarelli.

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