Brazil's Ronaldo to quit in 2011

Ronaldo
Ronaldo is the leading goalscorer at World Cup finals

Two-time World Cup winner Ronaldo has announced he will retire from professional football at the end of next year.

The Brazilian, regarded as one of the best footballers ever, has spent most of his career in Europe but will end it with Corinthians in his homeland.

"I've already made up my mind - these will be my last two," said the striker.

Ronaldo, 33, has scored 62 goals in 97 appearances for Brazil and hopes to be in squad for this summer's World Cup.

The striker, who is the all-time leading World Cup finals scorer with 15 goals, said there was "still a possibility" of a call-up for the South Africa tournament - despite not playing for Brazil, which will host the 2014 competition, since 2006.

"But for 2014 it's impossible - time goes by for everyone," he added.

I'll give my best and I'm hoping to have some fun and win many significant titles

Ronaldo

Ronaldo extended his contract with Corinthians on Monday and said of his remaining time at the club: "I'll give my best and I'm hoping to have some fun and win many significant titles."

It will bring an end to his 17-year-career, during which time the Brazilian formed part of the World Cup winning teams of 1994 and 2002.

The striker also played in the 1998 World Cup final, when Brazil were beaten by France.

The match became famous as Ronaldo's name was mysteriously missing from the team sheet, but reappeared shortly before the kick-off and he gave an under-par performance.

It subsequently emerged that he had suffered a convulsion but had been cleared to play in the match in Paris.

The striker, who began his career with Cruzeiro in his home country, won the Fifa Player of the Year and the Ballon D'or awards in 1997 and 2002, also being handed the former prize in 1996.

He moved to PSV Eindhoven while still a teenager, scoring 42 goals in 45 matches.

The striker soon came to the attention of Sir Bobby Robson's Barcelona, whom he joined in 1996, scoring 34 goals in 37 league matches.

606: DEBATE
How badly will world football miss a player like Ronaldo?

But he only stayed at the Nou Camp for a season, switching to Inter Milan for a then-record fee of £18m, helping the Italian side win the Uefa Cup during his five years with the club.

However, it was at Inter that he suffered the first of a series of debilitating knee injuries that would affect the rest of his career.

His next club was Real Madrid, who won the Primera Division crown during his first season at the Bernabeu.

He returned to Italy in 2007 with AC Milan but made 20 only league appearances, before later joining Corinthians.

As to his future after he hangs up his boots, Ronaldo's agent Fabiano Farah said: "Ronaldo will become a representative of Corinthians abroad.

"We will combine his name and the importance it has with the strength of the club."

Had to happen, I suppose. Sad all the same.

Absolutely phenomenal player. Damn those knee injuries, imagine how many goals he would've scored

His season at Barca was totally amazing.

Unstoppable.

And I'll always remember his standing ovation at OT.Alright, Barthez was shite but he was still awesome then.Every £#%&!er just got up and knew they were applauding a legend.One of my fave moments at Old Trafford.

Originally Posted by magic_cantona

His season at Barca was totally amazing.

Unstoppable.

And I'll always remember his standing ovation at OT.Alright, Barthez was shite but he was still awesome then.Every £#%&!er just got up and knew they were applauding a legend.One of my fave moments at Old Trafford.

I was there.

BGR.

el fenomeno



best no 9 i've ever seen

Originally Posted by borsuk

el fenomeno



best no 9 i've ever seen

Word.

The best.

Fat bastard

Originally Posted by koppas

I was there.

BGR.

Oh yeah?

Well I was sat 4 seats away from Denis Irwin.Shook hands with him and everything.

+1.3m TopRed points for me.

Originally Posted by magic_cantona

Oh yeah?

Well I was sat 4 seats away from Denis Irwin.Shook hands with him and everything.

+1.3m TopRed points for me.

He probably thought he was having his photo taken for Madame Tussauds.

Originally Posted by believe

He probably thought he was having his photo taken for Madame Tussauds.

Originally Posted by believe

He probably thought he was having his photo taken for Madame Tussauds.

Agreed.

The handsome @#%&!.

Originally Posted by magic_cantona

And I'll always remember his standing ovation at OT.Alright, Barthez was shite but he was still awesome then.Every £#%&!er just got up and knew they were applauding a legend.One of my fave moments at Old Trafford.

I didn't. Possibly the most embarrasing moment in Old Traffords history. Scouse as £#%&!. Ooooh look at us we apprciate good football played by someone else. Get to £#%&!.

Originally Posted by forzagarza

I didn't. Possibly the most embarrasing moment in Old Traffords history. Scouse as £#%&!. Ooooh look at us we apprciate good football played by someone else. Get to £#%&!.

I think we made up for it when McMananananananamamaman went off.

Originally Posted by forzagarza

I didn't. Possibly the most embarrasing moment in Old Traffords history. Scouse as £#%&!. Ooooh look at us we apprciate good football played by someone else. Get to £#%&!.

wordingtons

£#%&! the fat buck toothed @#%&!....he was only shooting at that useless @#%&! Barthez I'dd have got a hat-trick that night

Originally Posted by forzagarza

I didn't. Possibly the most embarrasing moment in Old Traffords history. Scouse as £#%&!. Ooooh look at us we apprciate good football played by someone else. Get to £#%&!.

Good man. He should have been pelted, the £#%&!ing cheeky @#%&!. Should have turned the Real team bus over after the match too with all the player in it, like in The Simpsons.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMhNc3YQ_1U&feature=related

Still got it

Probably still a damn sight quicker than Berbs too

Originally Posted by forzagarza

I didn't. Possibly the most embarrasing moment in Old Traffords history. Scouse as £#%&!. Ooooh look at us we apprciate good football played by someone else. Get to £#%&!.

Oh, ok then.

But there was obviously 60,000+ United fans that disagree with that opinion.

Originally Posted by forzagarza

I didn't. Possibly the most embarrasing moment in Old Traffords history. Scouse as £#%&!. Ooooh look at us we apprciate good football played by someone else. Get to £#%&!.

Originally Posted by £#%&! KFC

wordingtons

£#%&! the fat buck toothed @#%&!....he was only shooting at that useless @#%&! Barthez I'dd have got a hat-trick that night

Top red alert.

Originally Posted by koppas

Top red alert.

vote Big Mike

Originally Posted by koppas

Top red alert.

The top red ometer is set to 'Stellar!'.

It's literally smoking.

Originally Posted by magic_cantona

Oh, ok then.

But there was obviously 60,000+ United fans that disagree with that opinion.

The greatest penalty of evildoing - namely, to grow into the likeness of bad men. - Plato