In the Sao Paulo city of Itu, the Corinthians soccer team held its first practice in its 2010 pre-season training on Thursday without superstar Ronaldo.

Ronaldo, who took part in the team's weight room activities earlier in the day, skipped the team's afternoon practice due to previous obligations regarding publicity.

Ronaldo had permission to miss the practice in order to shoot a commercial for the advertising group Hypermaracas. The company has already committed to pay 80 percent of the advertising space on the team's sleeves in 2010.

Additionally, Bozzano, who held the same spot in 2009, plans to continue its sponsorship and even increasing it, amounting to a deal worth an estimated 20 million US dollars. Ronaldo is the one resposnable for attracting the sponsors.

Despite Ronaldo's absence, the team held its first practice of the year with the soccer ball.

In a closed practice, Mano Menezes had his players take part in basic ball handling drills inside of their hotel in Itu.

It was the first time in which the team's new players such as Roberto Carlos, Danilo, Iarley, Tcheco e Ralf were able to share the ball with their fellow teammates.