Madmax 9,219 Posted February 14, 2011 Share Posted February 14, 2011 Brazilian World Cup-winner Ronaldo is set to retire from football at the age of 34. Ronaldo, who is considered one of the game's greatest ever strikers, has been playing at Corinthians but his body can no longer handle the rigours of professional football.Ronaldo played at many of Europe's top clubs during a memorable career, including Barcelona, Inter, Real Madrid and AC Milan. He was FIFA player of the year three times between 1996 and 2002 and he scored a record 15 goals in World Cups.Ronaldo will formally announce his retirement at a press conference in Brazil on Monday. He was expected to continue with Corinthians until later in the year but the club's shock early exit from the Copa Libertadores this month, which irate fans partly blamed on the visibly unfit striker, has helped convince Ronaldo to call time early.He reportedly told local media he has "cried like a baby" since Corinthians fell to Deportes Tolima in the two-legged first stage of South America's premier club tournament. "I wanted to continue but I can't," he is quoted as saying. "I think about making a play but I can't execute it. The time is up."Ronaldo started his career at Cruzeiro in 1993 and was taken to the 1994 World Cup in the United States as a 17-year-old. He did not play at his first of four World Cups but he secured a transfer to PSV Eindhoven soon after, starting a prolific 13-year stint in Europe where he would become the game's most feared striker and the world's most expensive footballer when bought by Inter from Barcelona in 1997.In a career of staggering highs and the occasional low, Ronaldo is perhaps best known around the globe for his role in the World Cup finals in 1998 and 2002. Ronaldo nearly missed the 1998 final after suffering a fit before the match but he did feature and played below his usual standards as France recorded a 3-0 win. In 2002, Ronaldo scored both goals in Brazil's 2-0 win over Germany in the final. From ESPN Soccernet Buhbye El Fenomeno .... Thanks for the memories .... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomo 21,751 Posted February 14, 2011 Share Posted February 14, 2011 Shame, without doubt the greatest stiker ive seen, shame he never came to SW6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Term-X 7,891 Posted February 14, 2011 Share Posted February 14, 2011 G.O.A.T Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henrique 9,133 Posted February 14, 2011 Share Posted February 14, 2011 In fact he retired in 2009. What he have been doing since the beginning of last year was self-indulgent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosmin 2,484 Posted February 14, 2011 Share Posted February 14, 2011 Ronald & Ronaldinho = LEGENDS. Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo or anyone else, can't compare with those giants.All my respect goes to them and I'll be missing them forever! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LDN Blue 7,903 Posted February 14, 2011 Share Posted February 14, 2011 Really should've have retired after 2006 or 09 like Henrique said.An absolute legend though, one of the best strikers to have ever played the game! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James 5,321 Posted February 14, 2011 Share Posted February 14, 2011 Amazing during his Barca days, remember him most for destroying Man Utd in the champions league while playing for Real Madrid. One of the best players ive ever seen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badboy 1,526 Posted February 14, 2011 Share Posted February 14, 2011 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LDN Blue 7,903 Posted February 14, 2011 Share Posted February 14, 2011 My favourite tribute..http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVp-26rohVw&hd=1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Apixels 6 Posted February 14, 2011 Share Posted February 14, 2011 def. a legend and is gonna be missed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HRiver 1,512 Posted February 14, 2011 Share Posted February 14, 2011 A great footballer, definitely one of the best strikers in the world of all time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milan 17,956 Posted February 14, 2011 Share Posted February 14, 2011 An incredible killer. Just like Makelele owns his DM position, Ronaldo is the king of the strikers. A true legend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henrique 9,133 Posted February 14, 2011 Share Posted February 14, 2011 I realised that he never won a Champions League, so I feel sorry for the european cup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DYC. 7,542 Posted February 14, 2011 Share Posted February 14, 2011 The scary thing about Ronaldo is that even though he should be one of the definitions of the word greatness, you still ask what if? The level of greatness he could've reached is frightening.Goodbye Ronaldo.Am I the only who gets annoyed seeing Cristiano playing with Ronaldo on the back of his shirt (wearing Raúl's number too)?It's not even his first or last name. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eldo 868 Posted February 14, 2011 Share Posted February 14, 2011 He has a problems with thyroid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
termninja 5,290 Posted February 14, 2011 Share Posted February 14, 2011 He was one of the best strikers ever surely. Shame he got seriously injured while he was playing for Real. That's where his career started dropping.I really liked him before. Goodbye Ronaldo... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kostas 1,468 Posted February 14, 2011 Share Posted February 14, 2011 I realised that he never won a Champions League, so I feel sorry for the european cup.So true it's not even funny. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James 5,321 Posted February 16, 2011 Share Posted February 16, 2011 class Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrismada9 1,948 Posted February 16, 2011 Share Posted February 16, 2011 Ronaldo was such a great player all those years ago! Even when he was in his peak years he was exceptional! Stunning player That goal Jim posted reminds me a lot of the types of goals that Messi tends to score for Barca today! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kwylino 329 Posted February 24, 2011 Share Posted February 24, 2011 Nothing like watching ronaldo working with zidane I mean it was simply beautiful football.So deadly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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