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Brazilian World Cup legend Ronaldo has been struck down with deadly dengue fever.

The star saw in the New Year from his hospital bed after a mosquito bite left him with the tropical disease.

The former Real Madrid striker tweeted a picture of himself hooked up to a drip on a hospital bed. He told fans: “Good morning to all those who began the New Year with dengue fever. Thanks for the support. I’m now recovering.”

He added on his account: “Damned mosquito”.

The star has been checked out of hospital and is now recovering at home. He had spent the Christmas holidays at his house in the north eastern state of Bahia.

Ronaldo, 34, full name Ronaldo Nazario de Lima, retired from football last year after a glittering career.

In 2002, he won the World Cup for his country, scoring two goals in the final.

More than 300 died of dengue fever in Brazil alone in the first part of last year.