Brazil legend Ronaldo retires from football

2002 - Brazil win fifth title (available to UK users only) Brazilian legend Ronaldo has confirmed his retirement from football. The 34-year-old had a glittering career, helping Brazil win two World Cups and being named Fifa World Player of the Year in 1996, 1997 and 2002. He had been expected to quit at the end of the season but the early elimination of his club, Corinthians, from the Copa Libertadores brought forward the date. "I wanted to continue, but I can't. I think of an action, but I can't do it the way I want to. It's time," he said. Ronaldo's career took him to some of Europe's top clubs, including Spanish rivals Barcelona and Real Madrid, as well as Italian neighbours AC Milan and Inter Milan. But it was on the world stage where he made the biggest impact, scoring a record total of 15 goals at three World Cups. He also went to the 1994 tournament in the United States as a member of the Brazilian squad that went on to win the trophy, but the 17-year-old did not get on the pitch. However, four years later he scored four goals to help Brazil reach the final against hosts France. Mystery surrounded the match as Ronaldo's name was left off the teamsheet when it was issued 72 minutes before kick-off, only for an amended version to appear in time for the start of the game amid rumours of panic attacks and a dispute within the Brazilian camp. RONALDO'S GAMES AND GOALS Cruzeiro 1993-94 - 45 games, 41 goals PSV Eindhoven 1994-96 - 58 games, 54 goals Barcelona 1996-97 - 49 games, 47 goals Inter Milan 1997-2002 - 99 games, 59 goals Real Madrid 2002-07 - 164 games, 98 goals AC Milan 2007-08 - 20 games, nine goals Corinthians 2009-11 - 31 games, 18 goals Totals - 466 games, 326 goals Whatever happened prior to the game, Ronaldo was below par and his performance was eclipsed by Zinedine Zidane, the only other footballer to have won the World Player of the Year title on three occasions. The Frenchman scored twice as France won 3-0. At the 2002 World Cup Ronaldo was at his imperious best, scoring in every game in Japan and South Korea, bar the 2-1 quarter-final victory over England.

Brazil legend Ronaldo retires from football

2002 - Brazil win fifth title (available to UK users only) Brazilian legend Ronaldo has confirmed his retirement from football. The 34-year-old had a glittering career, helping Brazil win two World Cups and being named Fifa World Player of the Year in 1996, 1997 and 2002. He had been expected to quit at the end of the season but the early elimination of his club, Corinthians, from the Copa Libertadores brought forward the date. "I wanted to continue, but I can't. I think of an action, but I can't do it the way I want to. It's time," he said. Ronaldo's career took him to some of Europe's top clubs, including Spanish rivals Barcelona and Real Madrid, as well as Italian neighbours AC Milan and Inter Milan. But it was on the world stage where he made the biggest impact, scoring a record total of 15 goals at three World Cups. He also went to the 1994 tournament in the United States as a member of the Brazilian squad that went on to win the trophy, but the 17-year-old did not get on the pitch. However, four years later he scored four goals to help Brazil reach the final against hosts France. Mystery surrounded the match as Ronaldo's name was left off the teamsheet when it was issued 72 minutes before kick-off, only for an amended version to appear in time for the start of the game amid rumours of panic attacks and a dispute within the Brazilian camp. RONALDO'S GAMES AND GOALS Cruzeiro 1993-94 - 45 games, 41 goals PSV Eindhoven 1994-96 - 58 games, 54 goals Barcelona 1996-97 - 49 games, 47 goals Inter Milan 1997-2002 - 99 games, 59 goals Real Madrid 2002-07 - 164 games, 98 goals AC Milan 2007-08 - 20 games, nine goals Corinthians 2009-11 - 31 games, 18 goals Totals - 466 games, 326 goals Whatever happened prior to the game, Ronaldo was below par and his performance was eclipsed by Zinedine Zidane, the only other footballer to have won the World Player of the Year title on three occasions. The Frenchman scored twice as France won 3-0. At the 2002 World Cup Ronaldo was at his imperious best, scoring in every game in Japan and South Korea, bar the 2-1 quarter-final victory over England.