Ronaldo Says Goodbye to Soccer

One of the greatest Brazilian soccer players of all time announced  today his early retirement. Ronaldo Nazario, who was champion with the Brazil team in World Cups 1994 and 2002 said in 2010 that would leave professional soccer in December 2011, following the two-year contract he had with the Corinthians, however, the soccer “phenomenon” decided to anticipate his retirement “for several important reasons.”

The former Barcelona and Real Madrid striker, who has been named three times as best soccer player in the world by FIFA, said his injuries and hypothyroidism are among the heavy reasons why he is retiring.

“I came to speak today because I am ending my career as a professional player. It was a nice race, wonderful, exciting, and I had many losses, many victories, I made many friends and do not remember doing any enemy,” said Ronaldo during a press conference in Sao Paulo.

“It’s hard to leave something that made me so happy, something that I loved so much and I keep on doing, because psychologically I love it, but I have to take some losses. I lost to my body,” the striker said.

“It’s hard when your head thinks you can dodge a defender and your body does not get it,” said the soccer player.

“Everyone knows my injury history: from one leg to another, from one muscle to another … And those pains made me anticipate the end of my career. I wanted to explain that on the last day of my career,” he said.

“Four years ago, when I was playing in Milan, I discovered I was suffering from hypothyroidism, a condition that slows the metabolism, and I knew that to control it, I had to take some hormones that are banned in football,” he said. “I bet many want to apologize now for making a mockery of my weight, but I do not hold a grudge to anybody, ” he added.

The elimination of Corinthians from Copa Libertadores of America two weeks ago, when the team lost to Colombia Deportes Tolima was also one of the reasons for Ronaldo’s decision. “I apologize for having failed in the Libertadores project,” said the striker while accepting some of the blame for the removal of the team and referring to the title that Corinthians’ fans expected this year.

He said his future is already decided, it would be divided between a sports promotions agency and a charity foundation that will later be announced.