SAO PAULO -Ronaldo retired from soccer Monday because his body can no longer meet the demands of the game, ending a magnificent career in which he won two World Cups with Brazil and thrived with some of Europe's top teams.
With tears on his cheeks, the 34-year-old striker announced his decision at a news conference. He played 18 years despite repeated knee trouble and leaves as a three-timer FIFA Player of the Year and the top goal scorer in World Cup history.
It's very hard to leave something that made me so happy, said Ronaldo, with sons Alex and Ronald by his side. Mentally, I wanted to continue, but I have to acknowledge that I lost (the fight) to my body.
Now he confronts a new stage, shadowed by all that's left behind.
With this announcement, he said, it feels like it's my first death.
Ronaldo said a string of injuries the past two years kept him from performing at a high level with the Brazilian club Corinthians. He also learned four years ago he had hypothyroidism, a condition that made it difficult for him to lose weight and stay in shape.
The pain made me anticipate the end of my career, he said.
With his uncanny sprints toward the goal and an extraordinary finishing touch, Ronaldo captivated fans everywhere he played, including Barcelona, Real Madrid and Inter Milan. All despite having to come back from three serious knee injuries that threatened to end his career.
My career was beautiful, was wonderful, he said. I've had many defeats but infinite victories.
Ronaldo's contract with Corinthians was expected to end at the end of the year, but his condition kept deteriorating. He was visibly out of shape and fans jeered him after every missed play.
The announcement came days after he was heavily criticized by Corinthians fans for the team's elimination from the Copa Libertadores, Latin America's most important competition and the only major tournament the popular club has yet to win.
Fans damaged players' cars and threw rocks at the team bus, but Ronaldo said that did not play a part in his retirement. With his voice cracking, he said he wanted to only thank Corinthians fans for their support.
I've never seen fans with so much passion, he said. Their need for results sometimes made them a little aggressive, a bit out of control.
Ronaldo's exit comes two days after former Brazil teammate Roberto Carlos left Corinthians because he and his family were being threatened by fans after the Copa Libertadores elimination. Corinthians players had already been under pressure since last year, when the club failed to win titles despite celebrating its centenary.
Link: http://www.fanhouse.com/news/main/ronaldo-retires-ending-magnificent/1587025
With tears on his cheeks, the 34-year-old striker announced his decision at a news conference. He played 18 years despite repeated knee trouble and leaves as a three-timer FIFA Player of the Year and the top goal scorer in World Cup history.
It's very hard to leave something that made me so happy, said Ronaldo, with sons Alex and Ronald by his side. Mentally, I wanted to continue, but I have to acknowledge that I lost (the fight) to my body.
Now he confronts a new stage, shadowed by all that's left behind.
With this announcement, he said, it feels like it's my first death.
Ronaldo said a string of injuries the past two years kept him from performing at a high level with the Brazilian club Corinthians. He also learned four years ago he had hypothyroidism, a condition that made it difficult for him to lose weight and stay in shape.
The pain made me anticipate the end of my career, he said.
With his uncanny sprints toward the goal and an extraordinary finishing touch, Ronaldo captivated fans everywhere he played, including Barcelona, Real Madrid and Inter Milan. All despite having to come back from three serious knee injuries that threatened to end his career.
My career was beautiful, was wonderful, he said. I've had many defeats but infinite victories.
Ronaldo's contract with Corinthians was expected to end at the end of the year, but his condition kept deteriorating. He was visibly out of shape and fans jeered him after every missed play.
The announcement came days after he was heavily criticized by Corinthians fans for the team's elimination from the Copa Libertadores, Latin America's most important competition and the only major tournament the popular club has yet to win.
Fans damaged players' cars and threw rocks at the team bus, but Ronaldo said that did not play a part in his retirement. With his voice cracking, he said he wanted to only thank Corinthians fans for their support.
I've never seen fans with so much passion, he said. Their need for results sometimes made them a little aggressive, a bit out of control.
Ronaldo's exit comes two days after former Brazil teammate Roberto Carlos left Corinthians because he and his family were being threatened by fans after the Copa Libertadores elimination. Corinthians players had already been under pressure since last year, when the club failed to win titles despite celebrating its centenary.
Link: http://www.fanhouse.com/news/main/ronaldo-retires-ending-magnificent/1587025
