LOCKDOWN: 'They said I could never walk again' - Ronaldo writes Valladolid fans

Brazil legend, Ronaldo Nazario de Lima, has written a letter of hope to more than 22,000 fans of Real Valladolid to raise their spirits during the COVID-19 confinement.

The ex-Real Madrid player, who president and maximum shareholder of Valladolid, used his personal struggle with a life-threatening injury as a reminder that the world would beat the deadly virus.

Spain has been hit hard by the respiratory illness that has infected at least 223,759 and 22,902 deaths in the country, according to Worldometers.

A copy of the letter published by Marca reads:

"Dear subscriber, for weeks I have been thinking about how to contact you in these delicate moments of confinement and bad news. Finally, I have decided to send you this letter, with which I hope you can feel the affection and consideration with which I have written it. From my house to yours. From my family to your family.

"We are separated by physical distance, but I am convinced that we have never been so close. Empathy is what unites us now. The collective spirit, responsibility, humanity. We are inside our houses for ourselves, for those we love, for all whom we do not even know and for those who can no longer be with us. We help each other by enhancing this solidarity in multiple ways.

"I am writing to thank you for being there, even more now, transforming your home into a home. For turning every moment into something memorable for your family. For patience, caution and your optimism, despite all the difficulties, challenges and losses that we are facing in these difficult times.

"Soccer has taught me many things. The biggest was the overcoming. When I suffered my first and most serious knee injury, there were people who said that I would never play again and that I could never even walk again. I felt like my own life was being taken from me. It was in those moments that my limits were tested, and I fought to change those opinions and show everyone that I could do what I wanted most. They were three very hard years of rehabilitation, motivated by the desire to feel all that I could only feel on the field, with the ball at my feet.

"At the end, the moment arrived, perhaps the most emblematic of my entire career: in 2002, there he was, in Japan, playing a World Cup final with Brazil. Marking two goals against Germany. For my country, the title of a five-time champion; for me, the consecration of my return.

"I am sure that you too, when you look back, you will remember how many times you got up, from all your battles, and how many times you managed to overcome, throughout your life, to make the impossible possible and get to where you are being who you are.

"If this letter reaches you today, it is because, among the choices of my life, one has been the Pucela. I have also chosen. I have also been passionate. Like you, I look forward to the return to our home. I close my eyes and think about that Zorrilla full of people. It is the passion that moves me.

"Off the field, I am still motivated to overcome all the challenges. And personally, that I have come after you to this family, I thank you for being with me. Stay in the mood. We are together and we will come out stronger from all this. See you soon! A hug, Ronaldo Nazário."