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Sao Paulo - Two-time Soccer World Cup winning striker and Brazil football legend Ronaldo has called time on his illustrious career.
Ronaldo, 34, had originally planned to retire 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, appears to have pushed the date forward.
"I can't take any more," he 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."
Widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, the player known as 'El Fenomeno' during his prime had held out hopes of one last World Cup in South Africa last year.
He had, after all, shrugged off injury in the 2002 tournament to help Brazil to the trophy, ending the tournament as top scorer with eight of his record 15 World Cup goals.
In the end though, he had to accept that his injuries and lack of match fitness had ruled him out.
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 - 1996, 1997 and 2002.
His career took him to some of Europe's top clubs, including Barcelona, Real Madrid, Inter Milan and AC Milan.
But he was sidelined while playing for Inter by a knee injury in 1999 only to damage the same knee in his comeback for the club in February 2000, effectively keeping him out of action until March 2002.
Ronaldo was a favourite with fans at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium during a prolific spell with Real Madrid, helping them to the Spanish title in 2003, his debut season.
That year he also scored a hat-trick in the Champions League quarter-final, second leg win over Manchester United.
But injuries and his failure to control his weight led to his departure in 2007 for AC MIlan.
In February 2008 he ruptured a tendon in his right knee playing for the club against Livorno, an injury that ended his career with the Italian club.
That triggered his return to Brazil in 2009 where he signed for Corinthians last year after a long battle to regain form.
