BRAZIL: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - Brazilian soccer personalities weigh in on Ronaldo’s retirement

Record ID: 184016

  • Title: BRAZIL: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - Brazilian soccer personalities weigh in on Ronaldo’s retirement
  • Date: 16th February 2011
  • Summary: NEWSPAPERS HUNG ON NEWSSTAND HEADLINE OF THE "O GLOBO" NEWSPAPER PHOTOGRAPH ON THE COVER OF "O GLOBO" NEWSPAPER HEADLINE OF THE "FOLHA DE S. PAULO" NEWSPAPER HEADLINE OF THE "O ESTADO DE S. PAULO" NEWSPAPER HEADLINE OF THE "MEIA-HORA" NEWSPAPER HEADLINE OF THE "O DIA" NEWSPAPER
  • Embargoed: 3rd March 2011 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Brazil, Brazil
  • Country: Brazil
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVASCX57N3UZLRM2HTNCLYZSUU7
  • Story Text: As former Brazil striker Ronaldo hangs up his boots, his ex-coaches and teammates grieved over the star's retirement and poured in compliments on his successful career.
    The 34-year-old three-times FIFA World Player of the Year, a twice World Cup winner, made the announcement on Monday (February 14), blaming injuries and fitness problems.
    Newspaper headlines on Tuesday (February 15) displayed photos of an emotional Ronaldo as he bid farewell to fields after having scored more than 400 goals including a record 15 at World Cups.
    Ronaldo had a contract with Corinthians until the end of 2011 but brought his retirement forward after the team's shock early elimination from the Libertadores Cup and violent protests from fans.
    He broke down in tears while apologizing to Corinthians fans for failing to deliver the major prize of the South American elite club competition, and moved soccer enthusiasts across the country.
    Brazil coach Mano Menezes said Ronaldo was always on the brick of delivering outstanding moves.
    "There is an empty place now in a space that had always been occupied by someone who was about to do something extraordinary," he said.
    Former Brazil forward Romario, who was in Brazil's squad for the 1994 World Cup along with Ronaldo, said he was one of the world's best players in history.
    "We, Brazilians, can be sure that we will no longer see on the field one of the greatest players in the history of world soccer," he said.
    Former Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira said soccer fans would miss seeing him on the field.
    "It's a feeling of loss -- to know that on Sundays, on the television, we are not going to see Ronaldo live anymore," he said.
    Brazil playmaker Kaka, who teamed up with Ronaldo in the winning 2002 World Cup squad, said he was the greatest.
    "For me, he was the best I've ever played along with," he said.
    Flamengo forward Ronaldinho, also a 2002 World Cup Winner, said Ronaldo was an example for younger players.
    "He has always been a role model for us, youths," he said.
    Former Brazil captain Zico said he wished he could have played with Ronaldo.
    "I would like to play with him, because I would always put him in front of the goal," he said.
    During a brilliant career riddled with goals for four major European clubs -- Barcelona, Inter Milan, Real Madrid and AC Milan in that order -- Ronaldo was voted FIFA world player of the year three times and also won the European footballer of the year award twice.
    Ronaldo, who won two World Cup winners medals with Brazil, suffered three serious knee injuries and was constantly fighting weight problems.
    He was an unused squad member when Brazil won the title in 1994 and their top scorer when they won their record fifth in 2002 after he recovered from a knee injury that had threatened a premature end to his career
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: Video restrictions: parts of this video may require additional clearances. Please see ‘Business Notes’ for more information.
Register