Ronaldo to Retire

[Red-4-Life]

Former Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter Milan striker Ronaldo has announced he will retire from football at the end of next year.

The 33-year-old has signed a new two-year deal at Corinthians which expires on December 31, 2011, after which he will hang up his boots at the end of an illustrious career.

He told a press conference on Tuesday: "I have extended my contract for another two years and that will be the last of my career."

"I want to give my all, have fun and finish with some major achievements."

Ronaldo, a three-time FIFA World Player of the Year, has suffered major knee problems in his career while his return to Brazilian football with Corinthians has been blighted by a thigh injury.

Despite that he has great affection for the Sao Paulo outfit and is set to become a club ambassador when he retires.

"The crowd that follow us is very passionate," he added.

"I am increasingly fond of this club. It has been a wonderful chapter of my life here in Sao Paulo."

Ronaldo has won 97 caps for Brazil but he has not ruled out reaching three figures at this year's World Cup, even though he has not yet received a call-up under former team-mate Dunga.

"About the World Cup, we'll see," he said.

"I still have a chance of going."

"But for 2014 (when Brazil host the tournament), it is impossible. It is a long way off and time is moving on."

Ronaldo started out with Cruzeiro before securing a switch to Dutch club PSV Eindhoven when still a teenager.

He quickly emerged as a huge talent, scoring 42 goals in 45 league games at the Philips Stadion.

At that point, he had become the most coveted young player in Europe and it came as no surprise when Bobby Robson took him to Barcelona.

Ronaldo showed he could handle the pressure of playing for one of the world's top clubs by rattling in 47 goals in 49 games as the Catalans won the European Cup
Winners' Cup, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup.

Inter Milan was his next destination with the big-spending Italians having to shell out a world-record fee to take him to the San Siro.

He was again a resounding success, helping the Nerazzurri to the UEFA Cup crown.
It was at Inter when he suffered his first serious knee injury, against Lecce in November 1999.

His comeback lasted just seven minutes as he was again struck down by knee problems.

Ronaldo made a successful return at the 2002 World Cup, winning the golden boot as tournament top scorer as Brazil won the trophy in Japan and South Korea.

A move from Inter to Real Madrid followed and he helped Los Merengues win the Primera Division crown in his first season at the Bernabeu.

He maintained his prolific form in goal for Madrid but looked a shadow of the player who had burst on to the scene in the mid 1990s.

Ronaldo moved back to Italy in January 2007 with AC Milan but only made 20 league appearances before joining Corinthians.

http://sportal.com.au/football-news-dis ... tire-86404

[BADA BING]

good luck to the lad

[Le King]

sad his career is comin to an end
hes the best player ive seen since ive been alive, ahead of zidane for me!

[Red-4-Life]

a highlight for me is 2002 World Cup final...scored a brace to get Brazil over the line.

[Loppermann]

a highlight for me is 2002 World Cup final...scored a brace to get Brazil over the line.

had a little help from Kahn along the way... or was it past your bed time?

[El Pibe D'Oro]

Hats off to the Chipmunk.

Probably the best natural striker to have ever played the game (im ready for the arguments) - had it all, even a fat guts at the end. Loved his work, especially at Barca.

Only blemish on his game was that he had the misfortune to wear that white wanker shirt in Spain.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_oUa1yCpgs

[Shaggetz]

I'll take it one further and say the best natural player period. Noone I've seen had a touch that could compare with his, not even Maradona.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdicwwA6PeU

It's amazing how much he achieved given his injury list, it boggles the mind to think how good he could have been without the years out of the game.

[coachingsoccer]

I would argue about Ronaldo being better than Maradona. Besides, it is hard to compare players playing in different times - and this roughly 20 years time span makes a whole lot of a dfifference when it comes to football.
Anyways, top 3 player of last decade in my view. Shame to see him quit - although won't believe it till I see it. I think he will continue in Brasil for a bit longer than one year only.

[El Pibe D'Oro]

I'll take it one further and say the best natural player period. Noone I've seen had a touch that could compare with his, not even Maradona.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdicwwA6PeU

It's amazing how much he achieved given his injury list, it boggles the mind to think how good he could have been without the years out of the game.

You better go wach a bit more footage of Maradona. There is Maradona class and then there is everyone else's class.

Come's down to opinion. Maradona wasn't a centre forward, so too hard to compare overall.

[The one and only]

every one has an opinion on who they think is the best in my opinion he has been the best player that i have seen and will be a long time till any one comes close to him good on him for an awesome career and thanks for all the highlights i say

p.s not to mention all the injury woes ronaldo went through to still be as good as he was is what made him even greater