Mrs Ronaldo's new goal

Domingues said: "Since I arrived in Italy two years ago I have wanted to play soccer again. I used to play back in Brazil, soccer is a passion for me, not a job. But first I was pregnant, then my son Ronald was a baby. Now he's grown up a bit. Ronnie (Ronaldo) told me I should play soccer again."

Her love of football started as a teenager and she was so gifted she was asked to provide the half-time entertainment at the home games of top Brazilian club Corinthians - and also at the 1995 Copa America football tournament in Uruguay.

It was there Ronaldo first saw her in action and he was smitten by the sight of the glamorous girl from Sao Paulo showing off her ball skills. However, it took four years for them to get together and romance blossomed only after the footballer had parted from a series of girlfriends, including the stunning model and TV presenter Suzana Werner.

After splitting with Werner, he returned from the 1998 World Cup in France in turmoil. He was the world's most recognisable footballer but the pressure of being favourites proved too much for Brazil and there were rumours after the final defeat to France that Ronaldo had suffered a fit and overdosed on painkillers.

Meeting Milene transformed his life. After seeing her on television, he rang a mutual friend and set up an intimate dinner.

He said soon after: "This is a blessing by God, my life's dream. I have found the right person."

Within three months, she was pregnant and soon to be married. Problems arose, though, in the true pantomime form of the motherinlaw-to-be.

Lucia Domingues warned: "They fell in love straightaway. For me it all seemed a bit quick. I was a bit worried."

Perhaps her concerns were only natural because Ronaldo's love life was rarely out of the papers whether it was rumoured (with tennis star Anna Kournikova) or real (his stormy relationship with Werner).

Lucia did not attend her daughter's wedding on Christmas Eve 1999, missing the ceremony at Ronaldo's mother Sonia's house in Rio de Janeiro which was attended by 60 family members and friends.

Ronaldo was on crutches and bride and groom were wearing clothes designed by friend Giorgio Armani. The whole event was reported to have cost only £10,000 - a tad cheaper than Posh 'n' Becks' royal-style extravaganza in Ireland.

Six months later, their son was born. Even the choice of name had a bizarre twist. The footballer explained: "My wife Milene and I eat a lot at McDonald's and there you have Ronald McDonald so we chose Ronald."

Werner, who reportedly described Ronaldo's marriage as "hilarious", has gone on to date Flamenco star Julio Cesar. While Mr and Mrs Ronaldo have been dogged by rumours about rifts, the couple seem content to stay together and focus on their football careers.

Hers is on the up but Ronaldo, now 25, is suffering real trouble and strife.

There are still doubts that the double World Player of the Year can ever fully recover from a catalogue of injuries that have plagued him since his first serious knee problem at Barcelona in 1996.

The worst of his two knee injuries, both requiring surgery, came after his worldrecord £20 million move to Inter in August 1997.

In April 2000, only a week after the birth of his son, he snapped the ligament that held his kneecap in place and tore a tendon only six minutes after coming on as a substitute. The scream he let out was heard by almost everyone in the packed San Siro Stadium.

He fought back to fitness, only to pull a hamstring, but while he recovers in Rio from his latest setback, his wife is in full training in Italy.

Signing Ronaldo's wife is certain to increase the profile of Monza - presently fifth in Italy's top women's division - but coach Raffaele Solimeno is not worried about her overshadowing the team. He said: "We are very happy because she really wants to play football.

"All she has asked of me is to put her in a condition where she can play again. That's because she loves it."

Even the players are supportive of their wealthy and famous new team-mate. Captain Deborah Novelli says her down-to-earth approach and obvious enjoyment of the game has won them over. Novelli said: "Her arrival has given us a lot of new energy and enthusiasm. She is a very simple girl, she is a good player. She is good for us."

Keepy-up the good work, Mrs Ronaldo.