Brazilian soccer legend Ronaldo to retire

"I can\'t take any more," the 34-year-old star told the Estado de Sao Paulo newspaper.

"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," he told Globo television. "The head wants to go on, but the body can\'t take any more."

Ronaldo had already spoken in terms of retiring at the end of the year.

But a succession of injuries and the elimination of his club, Corinthians, from the Copa Libertadores, South America\'s most prestigious club tournament, appeared to have tipped the balance.

The Copa trophy, the equivalent of Europe\'s Champions League trophy, was the only one Ronaldo had not won in his spectacular career.

Ronaldo had already fought back to fitness from three career-threatening injuries.

Along the way he picked up a string of honours, including the FIFA Player of the Year three times: in 1996, 1997 and 2002.

His career took him to some of Europe\'s top clubs, from FC Barcelona and Real Madrid in Spain, to Inter Milan and AC Milan in Italy.

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