Brazil legend Ronaldo retires from football

14 February 2011 15:13
Two-time World Cup winner and Brazil legend Ronaldo has confirmed his retirement from football at the age of 34.

The Corinthians striker, who also played for Barcelona, Inter Milan, Real Madrid and AC Milan, was originally scheduled to retire at the end of the season but brought his decision forward after the Brazilian club were eliminated from the Copa Libertadores.

He scored a record total of 15 goals in three World Cups including both of Brazil's goals in the 2-0 final win over Germany in 2002. He also lifted the trophy as a 17-year-old in 1994, although he failed to make an appearance.

In club football he played for some of Europe's biggest sides, scoring a phenomenal 326 goals in just 466 games. As an individual he became the youngest ever player to win the FIFA World Player of the Year award in 1996, going on to retain his crown 12 months later.

Speaking about his retirement Ronaldo said: "As you can imagine and you heard during the whole weekend, I'm here to [confirm that] I'm closing my career as a professional player,

"I wanted to continue, but I can't. I think of an action, but I can't do it the way I want to. It's time. My body aches. The head wants to continue, but the body can't take much more.''

See the great man in action in this YouTube tribute.

Source: DSG