Ronaldo retires

[Flipmo]

SAO PAULO, Brazil — Ronaldo says he is retiring from soccer because he can't stay fit any more, ending a stellar 18-year career in which won two World Cup titles with Brazil and thrived with some of Europe's top clubs.

The 34-year-old Ronaldo, who holds the World Cup scoring record, says a string of injuries in the past two years have kept him from performing at a high level with Brazilian club Corinthians.

With his uncanny sprints toward goal and an incredibly accurate finishing touch, he captivated fans everywhere he played, including Barcelona, Real Madrid and Inter Milan.

All despite having to comeback from three serious knee injuries that threatened to end his career earlier than expected.


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*Waits for Rahim to come in and say that he'll be playing at the next World Cup with Rivaldo*

 

[Bobby Sands]

he was getting abuse of the supporters down there recently as well i think. not the way for a legend to bow out. one of the all time greats.

 

[THEV1LL4N]

sad day in football. was a role model to many. he had a great career minus the injuries.

 

[Flipmo]

Yup, he was a fan favorite, the trannies also loved him.

 

[tHuG $TyLe]

Everyone knows I love the guy so I'm probably biased but I think is comeback in 2002 World Cup needs to be mentioned a lot more when people talk about sporting comebacks. He may not of been the explosive Ronaldo but at 70% fit was better than any other player playing at that time.

He should've retired last year, this year was too much for him, I've seen some awesome tributes to him today, from managers, players etc, Rio Ferdinand was asking Nike for the R9 boots earlier.

If we look at the strikers now, compared to the strikers in the era of Ronaldo, there isn't even a contest, Ronaldo was compared against some of the greatest strikers of all time and was head and shoulders above them, nowadays football is lacking individual brilliance, it lacks a soul, Ronaldo and players from that era were true footballers.

Now with only a few left, Del Piero, Scholes, Giggs - I hope these players are remembered that their individuality was what made football a joy to watch.