Ronaldo pulls plug on 18-year career
Source: Agencies |
February 15, 2011, Tuesday
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FORMER Brazil striker Ronaldo announced his retirement yesterday, ending one of the most successful careers in soccer.
The three-time FIFA World Player of the Year, a twice World Cup winner with Brazil, said injuries and fitness problems prevented him from playing to his best form.
The 34-year-old striker announced at a press conference in Sao Paulo that he was ending an 18-year career in which he thrived with Brazil and some of Europe's top clubs.
On Sunday, he told the Estado de Sao Paulo newspaper that "it's time" to stop because he can't stay fit anymore.
Yesterday's announcement came just days after Ronaldo was heavily blamed by Corinthians fans for the team's elimination from the Copa Libertadores.
Ronaldo won two World Cups - breaking the record for most goals scored in the tournament - and starred for Barcelona, Real Madrid, AC Milan and Inter Milan.
Ronaldo told the newspaper's website that his regular injury problems were one of his main reasons for quitting now.
"I can't take it any more," Ronaldo said. "I wanted to carry on, but I can't. I plan a move (in a game) but I cannot execute as I wish. The time is up. But it was nice, dammit."
Ronaldo, who spoke at the Corinthians training ground yesterday, ends a brilliant career in which he scored more than 400 goals, including a record 15 at World Cups.
Ronaldo, who left Brazil's Cruzeiro for PSV Eindhoven at the age of 18, helped Corinthians win the Copa Brasil and Paulista (Sao Paulo) state championship last year.
But Corinthians disappointed in the two big competitions of 2010, its centenary year, failing to get past the round of 16 of the Libertadores Cup or win the Brazilian championship.
Ronaldo missed many matches through injury and fans began to show their irritation. This came to a head after Corinthians lost 0-2 away to Deportes Tolima of Colombia 10 days ago in the second leg of their Libertadores Cup preliminary round tie having drawn 0-0 at home.
Ronaldo's announcement came two days after former Brazil teammate Roberto Carlos said he was leaving the club because he and his family were being threatened by fans after the Cup elimination.
The three-time FIFA World Player of the Year, a twice World Cup winner with Brazil, said injuries and fitness problems prevented him from playing to his best form.
The 34-year-old striker announced at a press conference in Sao Paulo that he was ending an 18-year career in which he thrived with Brazil and some of Europe's top clubs.
On Sunday, he told the Estado de Sao Paulo newspaper that "it's time" to stop because he can't stay fit anymore.
Yesterday's announcement came just days after Ronaldo was heavily blamed by Corinthians fans for the team's elimination from the Copa Libertadores.
Ronaldo won two World Cups - breaking the record for most goals scored in the tournament - and starred for Barcelona, Real Madrid, AC Milan and Inter Milan.
Ronaldo told the newspaper's website that his regular injury problems were one of his main reasons for quitting now.
"I can't take it any more," Ronaldo said. "I wanted to carry on, but I can't. I plan a move (in a game) but I cannot execute as I wish. The time is up. But it was nice, dammit."
Ronaldo, who spoke at the Corinthians training ground yesterday, ends a brilliant career in which he scored more than 400 goals, including a record 15 at World Cups.
Ronaldo, who left Brazil's Cruzeiro for PSV Eindhoven at the age of 18, helped Corinthians win the Copa Brasil and Paulista (Sao Paulo) state championship last year.
But Corinthians disappointed in the two big competitions of 2010, its centenary year, failing to get past the round of 16 of the Libertadores Cup or win the Brazilian championship.
Ronaldo missed many matches through injury and fans began to show their irritation. This came to a head after Corinthians lost 0-2 away to Deportes Tolima of Colombia 10 days ago in the second leg of their Libertadores Cup preliminary round tie having drawn 0-0 at home.
Ronaldo's announcement came two days after former Brazil teammate Roberto Carlos said he was leaving the club because he and his family were being threatened by fans after the Cup elimination.
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