RIO DE JANEIRO, Jan. 9 (Xinhua) -- Veteran striker for Corinthians Ronaldo got his first touch of the soccer ball on Sunday.

While isolated to focus on his physical conditioning, the athlete participated in a 25 minute exercise in which he was able to dribble the soccer ball.

During Corinthians first week of pre-season workouts in the interior Sao Paulo city, Ronaldo has been restricted to bettering his shape.

His activities have included tennis, forcing the athlete to make quick movements and short sprints. The team's physical therapist, Eduardo Silva, believes that the 34-year-old is not ready to play in the team's opening match of the Sao Paulo state championship on January 16 at home against Portuguesa and needs more time to get back into game shape.