Ronaldo calls it a day

Klaus

http://globoesporte.globo.com/futebol/times/corinthians/noticia/2011/02/para-jornal-ronaldo-confirma-o-fim-da-carreira-esta-na-hora.html

Says his body can't take it anymore. A real shame. Injuries stole several years from what was one of the most impressing careers ever. This calls for a youtube clip:

Gazza M

Still the best striker I've ever seen, and would've been easily the best of his generation if not for his seizure prior to the 98 WC final, and subsequent injuries.

asajoseph

An amazing player, considering he was a fat, out of shape lump with dodgy knees for most of the second half of his career, he was still one of the best strikers of the game!

Lukazan

Unbelievable at his peak and better than most even after the injuries and weight gain. A privilege to have watched him.

Timbob

Reckon he could have been the greatest ever if he'd not done his knees in at Inter. Even with the injuries and the questionable fitness he's one of the best I've ever seen.

My favourite memory of him actually came towards the end of his career. His penultimate season for Madrid at the Nou Camp. He had just come back from injury, was about 2 stone overweight, very immobile and Barcelona were a top team. He was outstanding all game playing up top by himself with very little service, then he got one chance, exploded in to the box and produced a brilliant dinked finish. Just showed that for all his genius it was his ability to do the simple things so well that made him the player he was (same can be said for all great players imo).

here's the vid;

Lukazan

I remember that. Classy.

Ricky1985

Probably the best striker I've ever seen. In a time when players are hyped up as greats of the game at the drop of a hat, this guy was a true great.

Claudius

Was better than both Pele and Maradona. Curse his injuries.

James

A forgotten great, in a way. He was a remarkable player.

Rohit

Even with a career that has been more or less curtailed because of injuries he will go down as one of the best football players ever.

Tony Montana

Caligula wrote:
Was better than both Pele and Maradona. Curse his injuries.

Not really.

But he was up there.

Big Willie

Klaus wrote:
http://globoesporte.globo.com/futebol/times/corinthians/noticia/2011/02/para-jornal-ronaldo-confirma-o-fim-da-carreira-esta-na-hora.html

Says his body can't take it anymore. A real shame. Injuries stole several years from what was one of the most impressing careers ever. This calls for a youtube clip:

Love the way the ref was taken out of the game with a challenge by Ronaldo/Puyol.

Lukazan

He's pretty upset.

lorddulaarsenal

Probably the most exciting player I've ever seen. I was lucky enough to see him live on a couple of occasions.

Of those that have reached the levels he has, I'd say he's the most likeable of them all.

Ricky1985

Where did you manage to do that mate?

James

I got to see him in the flesh at Highbury in the 0-0, but would've loved to have seen him in his earlier days at Barca or Inter.

Biggus

I remember Brazil V Chile at France 98, I was at the far end of the ground when Brazil got a penalty, It was a night game so the far stand behind the goal was in darkness.
In Ron's run up just before he struck the ball, the whole stand lit up with flashes from cameras but he still stroked it home calmly anyway.
F**k me I thought thats one ice cool dude.

Claudius

skill, strength, acceleration, composure. one goal highlights all these attributes that made him the finest player of his generation

btw, i wasn't serious about him being better than Maradona and Pele, but he was the best I've been able to watch properly in my life. thanks, Ronaldo for all the memories, wish it had been a less injury-filled career.

Timbob

That is such a playground goal!

Lukazan

I've got a book on him. Apparently when he was a boy he was invited to a trial at some Brazilian club. Unfortunately Ronaldo was so poor he couldn't afford public transport to get there. The club offering him the trial refused to pay it for him. How much? About the equivalent of 20p...

Anorther club took a chance and the rest is history.