( dpa )- AC Milan striker Ronaldo was recovering Friday after undergoing surgery at a Paris hospital to repair a torn knee ligament, the ANSA news agency reported.
Doctor Eric Rolland operated Thursday evening to repair the rupture of the rotula ligament in the Brazilian's left knee at Pitie- Salpetriere Hospital.
Ronaldo suffered the injury late Wednesday during a Serie A home game with Livorno that ended in a 1-1 draw.
Doctor Gerard Saillant, who in 2000 performed a similar operation on Ronaldo's right knee, assisted Rolland. Saillant was quoted as saying that "the surgery lasted about two hours and was carried out without problems. Now Ronaldo will have to undergo rehabilitation for about nine months."
Saillant, who is now retired, had said earlier that Ronaldo should be able to play again.
"It all depends on what his projects are, if he wants to keep playing or quit in the near future," Saillant said. "I think it depends on the injury, but also on himself, on his will to make sacrifices, considering that at the age of 31 it is not as easy as at 20."