In Pictures: The History Of The Legendary Ronaldo

Brazilian striker Ronaldo, the all-time leading scorer at World Cup tournaments and three-time FIFA World Player of the Year, confirmed his retirement at the age of 34.

The tearful Corinthians forward announced his decision at an emotional press conference in Sao Paulo, during which he also revealed that he suffered from a thyroid problem.

"I'm stopping my career as a professional footballer," he said, his voice breaking. "It's been a beautiful, emotional, marvellous career.

"These last two years, I've had a long series of injuries, from one side to the other, one leg to the other, one muscle to the other. The pain pushed me to think about the end of my career."

Having earlier indicated that he hoped to play on until the end of the year, injuries and Corinthians' early elimination from the Copa Libertadores prompted him to bring forward his retirement.


Player Details:

Name: Ronaldo Luiz Nazario de Lima
Date Of Birth: September 18, 1976
Place Of Birth: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Position: Attacker
Clubs: Cruzeiro, PSV, Barcelona, Inter, Real Madrid, Milan, Corinthians
International: Brazil (1994-2006)

Timeline Of Playing Career:

1993: Makes Cruzeiro debut and scores first goal as a professional football player.

1994: Makes Brazil debut in international friendly against Argentina.

1994: Part of the Brazil squad that wins the 1994 World Cup.

1994: Signs a contract with Eredivisie giants PSV.

1995: Finishes the season as Eredivisie top scorer with 30 goals.

1996: Wins KNVB Beker with PSV.

1996: Leaves PSV for Spanish powerhouse Barcelona.

1996: Wins FIFA World Player of the Year award; runner-up for Ballon d'Or.

1997: Wins Copa del Rey and Cup Winners' Cup with Barcelona.

1997: Finishes the season as La Liga top scorer with 34 goals.

1997: Wins European Golden Boot

1997: Joins Italian titans Inter.

1997: Wins FIFA World Player of the Year award; wins Ballon d'Or.

1997: Wins the Copa America with Brazil.

1998: Wins UEFA Cup with Inter.

1998: Part of the Brazil squad that finishes runners-up at the 1998 World Cup.

1998: Wins Golden Ball at 1998 World Cup.

1999: Wins the Copa America with Brazil.

1999: Sustains first serious knee injury.

2000: Picks up yet another serious knee problem.

2002: Part of the Brazil squad that wins the 2002 World Cup.

2002: Finishes the 2002 World Cup as top scorer with eight goals.

2002: Wins FIFA World Player of the Year award; wins Ballon d'Or.

2002: Leaves Inter to return to Spain with Real Madrid.

2002: Wins Intercontinental Cup with Real Madrid.

2003: Wins La Liga with Real Madrid.

2004: Finishes the season as La Liga top scorer with 24 goals.

2006: Part of the Brazil squad that reaches the quarter-finals at the 2006 World Cup.

2007: Wins La Liga with Real Madrid.

2007: Leaves Real Madrid to join Milan.

2008: Sustains his third serious knee injury.

2009: Leaves Europe to return to Brazil at Corinthians.

2009: Wins Campeonato Paulista and Copa do Brasil with Corinthians.

2010: Voted Player of the Decade by Goal.com.

2011: Retires from professional football.

Other Interesting Facts:

- Ronaldo supported Flamengo as a youngster, but was turned down by the Mengao before signing with Cruzeiro.

- 1994 World Cup winner Romario was the one who advised Ronaldo to kick-start his European career in The Netherlands with PSV.

- Ronaldo is the all-time World Cup top goal scorer with 15 goals.

- Since 2005, Ronaldo has been the co-owner of A1 Team Brazil, along with Brazilian motorsports legend Emerson Fittipaldi.

- Ronaldo has scored for both Milan and Inter in the Derby della Madonnina.

AFP & Goal.com