Ronaldo returns as Inter go second

Twice World Player of the Year Ronaldo made an 18-minute appearance as a substitute as Inter Milan returned to second place in Serie A with a 2-0 win over Fiorentina on Sunday.

It was the Brazilian's first appearance since his ill-fated comeback against Lecce on November 4 when he limped off with a thigh strain after just 14 minutes.

"I only played a short time but at last I could be on the field at the end of the game," Ronaldo said afterwards on his official website.

"There is a long road ahead for me but I hope to play from the start shortly. The main thing is to focus on the hard work I need to put in to keep on improving," said the Brazilian.

Ronaldo had been out of action since April 2000 when he ruptured knee ligaments during the Italian Cup final against Lazio.

Inter were two goals up when Ronaldo replaced Christian Vieri in the 72nd minute.

Sierra Leone striker Mohammed Kallon put Inter ahead a minute before the break, scrambling the ball home after a mis-hit shot from Vieri had bounced out off Fiorentina keeper Alex Manninger.

Vieri doubled Inter's lead in the 54th minute from the penalty spot after Emre Belozoglu had been brought down by Fiorentina's Brazilian midfielder Amaral.

But Vieri was disappointed to be the one who made way for Ronaldo - the pair, who have both struggled with injury during the past two seasons, have not played together since the Milan derby on October 23, 1999.

"Of course I wanted to play alongside him but it is not a problem, we will do it next time," said Vieri.

In over two years together at Inter the expensively assembled "dream pairing" have managed just 121 minutes on the field at the same time - never lasting a full game.

Inter coach Hector Cuper said he was aware of Vieri's desire to play with Ronaldo but said with both players coming back from injury he opted for caution.

"Everyone wants to see them together, the fans, the media, the players and me as well. But this was the first step for Ronaldo. He looked good on the field and this was an important step for him.

"I told him just to go out and play calmly. We were 2-0 up and there was no need for him to go and be Ronaldo; he just needed to play," added Cuper.

But the Inter coach joked he was becoming a little weary by the constant attention paid to Ronaldo.

"If I just put him on the list as Juanito there wouldn't be all this attention. But he is Ronaldo and that makes a difference - a nice difference".

Inter are one point behind leaders Chievo, who have 23 points after they beat Perugia 2-0 earlier on Sunday.