thrillerchild
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Brazil legend Ronaldo is set to confirm his retirement from football after admitting his body can no longer take the demands of the game.
The 34-year-old, whose contract with Brazilian club Corinthians is set to expire at the end of the season, is set to hold a press conference later today to confirm his decision.
The two-time World Cup winning striker told local media at the weekend: ‘I can't take any more. I wanted to continue, but I can't do it any more.
‘I think of an action, but I can't do it the way I want to. It's time. It's the body that's hurting me. The head wants to go on, but the body can't take any more.'
The former Barcelona player is widely regarded as one of the greatest forwards ever to play the game and during his illustrious career Ronaldo was named Fifa player of the year three times and remains the leading World Cup soccer of all time, with 15 goals in four tournaments.
Ronaldo lifted the World Cup with Brazil on two occasions, in 1994 and 2002, but may well be best remembered for his infamous collapse shortly before the 1998 final against France.
The striker first moved to Europe in 1994 and having impressed at PSV Eindoven moved to Barcelona where he made his mark as one of the greatest forwards of the modern game. Ronaldo netted 34 times, in just 37 appearances, while at the Nou Camp before moving to Inter Milan in a then world record £19million transfer deal.
Later he would become one of the Galacticos at Real Madrid, teaming up with Zinedine Zidane and Luis Figo.
After a short stint at AC Milan in 2007, Ronaldo eventually returned to Brazil and signed for Corinthians, but the final part of his career has been blighted by injury and he now appears ready to call time on his playing days and finally hang up his boots at the age of 34.
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This guy was pure genius! His pace, goals and pace were incredible! Shame injuries prevented from becoming THE BEST.
Seems a tad early to retire all together, but if his body can't keep up with it anymore then maybe he is better off.