Rio de Janeiro, Sep 02: Real Madrid's world champion striker Ronaldo has said his dream was to match Brazilian legend Pele's goals scored for the national side. Three-time world champion Pele - 1958, 1962, 1970 - scored 95 goals during his 104 games for Brazil, with two-time world champion Ronaldo netting 46 for the national side.

"Catching up with Pele is an additional goal. I don't want to be greater than the myth," said Ronaldo, who completed a fairytale comeback from injury by scoring both goals as the South Americans defeated Germany 2-0 to clinch a record fifth World Cup in Japan. He won the world title as a substitute in 1994 but four years later suffered a mysterious seizure just hours before the final against France, yet controversially played anyway as Brazil plunged to a devastating 3-0 defeat.

Ronaldo's eight World Cup goals in Japan allowed him to move level in the World Cup goal scoring stakes with Pele, lifting his total to 12 after the four he scored at France 98, and putting him joint third-top scorer. Germany's Gerd Muller still leads the way with 14 in the 1970s and Frenchman just Fontaine netted 13 in 1958.

Brazil kick their campaign off with South American World Cup qualifiers in Colombia on September 7, at Barranquilla, then host Ecuador three days later at home in Manaus.

Bureau Report