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Ronaldo says he will retire at the end of 2011
Former world player of the year Ronaldo says he will retire after
the 2011 season.
The 33-year-old Brazilian striker extended his contract with
Corinthians on Monday and said he plans to play two more seasons
before putting an end to a successful career of more than 17 years.
"I've already made up my mind, these will be my last two
years," Ronaldo said. "I'll give my best and I'm hoping to have
some fun and win many significant titles."
Ronaldo said that after retiring he will become an ambassador
for Corinthians, Brazil's second most popular club behind Flamengo.
He said one of his main goals is to help Corinthians win the Copa
Libertadores, the only major competition the club is yet to win in
its 100-year history.
"We have very passionate fans and every day I'm more in love
with this club," he said.
Ronaldo won the FIFA player of the year award in 1996, 1997
and 2002 and spent 15 years in European football before returning
to Corinthians in the beginning of 2009 to recover from the third
serious knee injury of his career.
He won the World Cup in 1994 and 2002, and remains hopeful of
playing in one final World Cup with Brazil before retiring.
"This upcoming World Cup is still a possibility for me," said
Ronaldo, the all-time scoring leader in World Cup finals with 15
goals. "But for 2014 it's impossible, times goes by for everyone."
Ronaldo scored 62 goals in 97 internationals with Brazil, but
he hasn't been called up to the national team since the 2006 World
Cup, when Brazil lost to France in the quarterfinals. The striker
also played in the 1998 World Cup, when Brazil lost to the French
in the final.
Ronaldo played most of his career in Europe with PSV
Eindhoven, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Real Madrid and AC Milan. He
returned to Brazil after being released by AC Milan in 2008
following an injury to his left knee.
Ronaldo has played sparingly with Corinthians this year and
is preparing for the team's debut in the Copa Libertadores on
Wednesday against Uruguay's Racing in Sao Paulo.
