Ronaldo calls it a day!

[Phil Neville Superstar]

Brazilian legend Ronaldo has confirmed that he is retiring from playing with immediate effect.

The 34-year-old has announced he is bringing down the curtain on one of the most prestigious careers the world of football has seen in recent years.

During his career he scored over 350 club goals and he won 97 caps for Brazil.

He also helped his country to two World Cup wins and was named World Player of the Year three times.

"I can't take any more," he told Estado de Sao Paulo.

"I wanted to continue, but I can't do it any more. I think of an action, but I can't do it the way I want to. It's time.

"It's the body that's hurting me. The head wants to go on, but the body can't take any more."

Tremendous player in his prime. Surely the greatest striker of the 21st century?

 

[Alio]

My favourite player ever. Got to see him play live once. Incredible

Shame injuries got the best of him, but he knew how to score

Senior career*
Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
1993 Cruzeiro 14 (12)
1994–1996 PSV 46 (42)
1996–1997 Barcelona 37 (34)
1997–2002 Inter Milan 68 (49)
2002–2007 Real Madrid 127 (83)
2007–2008 AC Milan 20 (9)
2009–2011 Corinthians 31 (18)

He was the best thing ever when this ad came out

[video=youtube;YePFGhCC7ro]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YePFGhCC7ro[/video]

 

[Bruce Wayne]

The year when he was at Barca he was unstoppable. Sadly I think he got kicked a bit too often in those early years and injuries caught up with him, stopping him being up there with the Pele's and Maradonna's of the world. Still a fantastic player though and the best centre forward of his generation.

 

[Alio]

[video=youtube;bffUNX3qX3s]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bffUNX3qX3s[/video]

There is a part 2

 

[Number_25]

Probably the best striker I have ever seen.

 

[Summerskin]

Definitely the best forward i'd ever seen in my lifetime, I was 9 when it was World Cup 1998 and although Brazil got schooled by France in the final, it just seemed like they all had superhuman powers, i've never felt giddy about an international team besides that.

 

[BlueTak]

Easily the best striker I've seen, shame he had so many problems with injuries.

When he was at his best he was unstoppable.

 

[linglong]

As already said a great player dogged by injuries like Van Basten before him we'll never really know how good they could have been over a 10-12 year strech

 

[RFUS]

He's my favourite striker of all time. He was just a perfect front man.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

[video=youtube;bffUNX3qX3s]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bffUNX3qX3s[/video]

There is a part 2

The goal at 2.20 in that video. Him at his very, very best.

 

[Alio]

The goal at 2.20 in that video. Him at his very, very best.

Without even checking, I know which goal you are talking about =)

Ronaldo circa '98, was the best thing in football ever........for me. I couldnt get enough of Brazil, Ronaldo, those adverts, his boots etc

 

[Bruce Wayne]

Without even checking, I know which goal you are talking about =)

Ronaldo circa '98, was the best thing in football ever........for me. I couldnt get enough of Brazil, Ronaldo, those adverts, his boots etc

I don't think going to Inter was a good move for him. Injuries seemed to follow him around after that.

 

[TX Bill]

He was the best.

 

[Muggins]

Tremendous player in his prime. Surely the greatest striker of the 21st century?

Does that mean we're not signing him?

 

[Alio]

I read a bit more into it last night. He appears to have some illness which has ruined his metabolism. Therefore he's having to take certain drugs to cope with it, which would be banned in football (hence quitting). He liked to point out that people should feel pretty bad about they way they have name called him over the years. He said he couldn't even walk up a flight of stairs without feeling mass pain. Couldn't believe that, the headlines didn't really point that bit out obviously.

I reckon he could still do a job for us.....