SAO PAULO, Brazil -- Despite talking to Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain, Ronaldo says he wants to play for Brazil's Flamengo next year, but the star player may retire if he fails to get back to his best.

"If in January I feel that something is missing, if I realize that I won't be able to play as well as before, I will retire," Ronaldo said.

The three-time FIFA Player of the Year, now almost fully recovered from his latest serious knee surgery, told Brazil's Globo TV late Monday that his playing time in Europe may be over even though some top clubs have shown an interest in him.

Ronaldo said he had "very interesting talks with Manchester City," and that Paris Saint-Germain "has been showing a lot of interest," but his first choice will be Flamengo, Brazil's most popular club.

"Flamengo is the favourite," Ronaldo said. "It is my dream to play for Flamengo. (The club) is in pole position right now."

Ronaldo, a longtime fan of Flamengo, has been practising with the five-time national champion the past few months as part of his recovery from knee surgery. The 32-year-old striker ruptured a tendon in his left knee in a Serie A match with AC Milan in February -- the third major knee injury of his career.

"It will depend a lot on how I'll be feeling in January," Ronaldo said. "I don't want to go to Flamengo just because it is my dream or as a favour. I have to deserve it. I know that if I don't play well, I'll be jeered by fans at Maracana just as the other players will."

The striker, who has been without a club since his contract with AC Milan expired in June, is now trying to regain his fitness and says he only wants to play on if he can recapture his best form.

"It won't work If I'm well physically but not as fast as before. And I need to able to lose weight too, which could be another problem," Ronaldo said.

Despite making it clear that he expects to continue playing, Ronaldo said the "decision can't be made right now."

"I want to wait until January to see If I'll be in condition to wear a team's jersey again," he said.

The striker scored eight goals in the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan, including two in Brazil's victory over Germany in the final.