Brazil will thrust under-fire striker Ronaldo straight back into World Cup action on the premise he cannot perform any worse than he did against Croatia.

Head coach Carlos Alberto Parreira has called for support to be shown to the 29-year-old, who four years ago fired eight goals to win the World Cup's Golden Boot. But it is a call unlikely to be heeded in many quarters, with Ronaldo's laboured performance against Croatia on Tuesday highlighted as one cause for the world champions' sub-standard display.

"Ronaldo is a big player and he can make a difference. He is very important for the Brazil national team," said Parreira.