Brazilian legend Ronaldo has confirmed his retirement from football.Ronaldo, 34, had originally planned to retire at the end of the year but a succession of injuries and the elimination of his club Corinthians from the Copa Libertadores, South America's most prestigious club tournament, appears to have pushed the date forward."I can't take any more," he told the Estado de Sao Paulo newspaper."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."Widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, the player known as 'El Fenomeno' during his prime had held out hopes of one last World Cup in South Africa last year.Ronaldo had already spoken
in terms of retiring at the end of the year.But a succession of injuries and the elimination of his club, Corinthians, from the Copa Libertadores, South America's most prestigious club tournament, appeared to have tipped the balance.The Copa trophy, the equivalent of Europe's Champions League trophy, was the only one Ronaldo had not won in his spectacular career.Ronaldo had already fought back to fitness from three career-threatening injuries.Along the way he picked up a string of honours, including the FIFA Player of the Year three times: in 1996, 1997 and 2002.His career took him to some of Europe's top clubs, from FC Barcelona and Real Madrid in Spain, to Inter Milan and AC Milan in Italy.
Ronaldo's footballing achievements have at times been overshadowed by controversy, starting with his late withdrawal and then reinstatement before the 1998 World Cup final against France -- which Brazil lost 3-0.He has had several high-profile relationships, and after a parental test last year showed he had fathered his fourth child to a waitress he met in 2002, Ronaldo announced he'd had a vasectomy.He hit the headlines for the wrong reasons in 2008 when he admitted picking up three prostitutes who turned out to be transvestites. Ronaldo accused one of them of trying to extort money from him.
But despite his recent problems, he will be remembered as one of the greats of the game.Meanwhile, Roberto Carlos -- who played alongside Ronaldo for Real, Brazil and most recently Corinthians -- has also ended his stay in Sao Paulo and joined Russian team Anzhi Makhachkala.The 37-year-old, who was also a World Cup winner in 2002, had been with Corinthians since he left Turkish side Fenerbahce in 2010.
in terms of retiring at the end of the year.But a succession of injuries and the elimination of his club, Corinthians, from the Copa Libertadores, South America's most prestigious club tournament, appeared to have tipped the balance.The Copa trophy, the equivalent of Europe's Champions League trophy, was the only one Ronaldo had not won in his spectacular career.Ronaldo had already fought back to fitness from three career-threatening injuries.Along the way he picked up a string of honours, including the FIFA Player of the Year three times: in 1996, 1997 and 2002.His career took him to some of Europe's top clubs, from FC Barcelona and Real Madrid in Spain, to Inter Milan and AC Milan in Italy.Ronaldo's footballing achievements have at times been overshadowed by controversy, starting with his late withdrawal and then reinstatement before the 1998 World Cup final against France -- which Brazil lost 3-0.He has had several high-profile relationships, and after a parental test last year showed he had fathered his fourth child to a waitress he met in 2002, Ronaldo announced he'd had a vasectomy.He hit the headlines for the wrong reasons in 2008 when he admitted picking up three prostitutes who turned out to be transvestites. Ronaldo accused one of them of trying to extort money from him.
But despite his recent problems, he will be remembered as one of the greats of the game.Meanwhile, Roberto Carlos -- who played alongside Ronaldo for Real, Brazil and most recently Corinthians -- has also ended his stay in Sao Paulo and joined Russian team Anzhi Makhachkala.The 37-year-old, who was also a World Cup winner in 2002, had been with Corinthians since he left Turkish side Fenerbahce in 2010.
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