Ronaldo set to Retire

[Sevillista]

There are enough highlights in this video for a career, and it is only half a season at Barcelona. Incredible stuff. 2:20 is one of the best goals I've ever seen.



Why didn't he reveal his thyroid problem earlier? Would it have jeopardized his contracts?

 

[ShiftyPowers]

I never thought he was that great... really anytime after World Cup 98. It's a great story about 2002 and some success with Madrid, but I never rated him as a superstar at those times. But before that final in Saint Denis... he was the greatest player I have ever seen with my own eyes and the second greatest to play during my life. I still watch all of his goals from that one season at Barca maybe every 2 months. It's really a shame that human knees cannot physically sustain that level of greatness for more than a few years. Ronaldo would have outshined Pele if his knees held up.

I've seen that exact video that Sevilla posted above maybe 50 times (posted it on twitter earlier today in fact), and every single time I'm astounded. There is absolutely no joke in this comment, he plays exactly like when I created myself in PES 2009; he is the living embodiment of a super video game character.

 

[Zakov]

Sort of sad to that almost all these great players I grew up watching retired.

I always loved football since I was kid but seeing Ronaldo just blew my mind, he was an absolute specimen for a footballer during his peak.

The goals in the games he played for Barca and Inter mostly come to mind, at Madrid he was still a great striker but the presence of Zidane, Figo and co might've made a bit easier for him.

But the two goals of the three he scored against Utd at OT were fantastic goals and he single-handedly destroyed Utd that night, and got an ovation when he left the field.

He was truly a phenomenon, probably the first globally recognized superstar in football during our times. Prior to the start France '98, there were countless of adverts and commercials featured him.

Hopefully he gets a testimonial with the other recently retired greats, like Zidane, Figo and Maldini to send him off.

 

[Mandieta6]

The first name I heard of in football, absolute legend. I'm glad I got the chance to watch him play in real-life.

 

[newbie original]

You know, I thought he was great in the 1990s. But, other than maybe 1 or 2 seasons at Mandril, he was not very good after losing the 1998 World Cup final. And I think that the main reason for that was injuries(initially) and weight(later). With all this in mind, he was really only great for 3 or 4 years. But he did so much in that time that it was impossible to ignore him.

If I had to rate him, I would have to say that he was the 2nd greatest player of his generation behind only Zidane.

He was the Brazilian version of Patrick Kluivert.

 

[theo]

there's only one Ronaldo for me. legend.

 

[ShiftyPowers]

You know, I thought he was great in the 1990s. But, other than maybe 1 or 2 seasons at Mandril, he was not very good after losing the 1998 World Cup final. And I think that the main reason for that was injuries(initially) and weight(later). With all this in mind, he was really only great for 3 or 4 years. But he did so much in that time that it was impossible to ignore him.

If I had to rate him, I would have to say that he was the 2nd greatest player of his generation behind only Zidane.

He was the Brazilian version of Patrick Kluivert.

He was a LOT better than Zidane. Not even close IMO.

 

[Filipower]

He was the Brazilian version of Patrick Kluivert.

Wow, I didn't care for your opinion before, but this just puts the icing on the cake.

 

[Zlatan]

He was a LOT better than Zidane. Not even close IMO.

Depends. If you look at pure talent, you're probably right. But Ronaldo was extremely good for about 2-3 seasons, Zidane for 10 years or so. I think because of that I'd say Zidane was better than Ronaldo still.

 

[ShiftyPowers]

Even when Ronnie was less than his best, he still won World Player of the Year and it was very legitimate. I've never been a big Zidane fan, to be honest. He's obviously had some very impressive individual moments, but from day to day I never thought he was special. I'm in the minority, but I remember really seriously watching him a lot around 2000 or 2001 and never seeing the greatness that everyone else did. IMO he's a French Steven Gerrard who is an awesome awesome player, but not one of the greats.

 

[RobbieD_PL]

All the best to Ronaldo, one of the greats of the game!

 

[greku123]

...

He's last match as a professional football player will be at 7June in the friendly match against Romania.

 

[Chacarita Juniors]

Adios gordito. His fenomenal goals have left a lasting impression of on all of us...sucks he could never recuperate from that agony that were his knee problems.

 

[kp41]

One of the best ever and perhaps the best of our generation. Damn those injuries.
Thanks Ronaldo.

 

[ARIAGA II]

I remember trying to get that haircut.

 

[coxlenox]

i was lucky enough to watch four games to watch and see him up close, really an incredible player, best player of my time and playing in my team at heart, Corinthians.

thanks R9

 

[Xifio]

f*cking Tătăruşanu was working too hard playing spoilsport -- would it have been so hard not to save one of those 3 shots Ronaldo had on target?

 

[farmboy]

I remember trying to get that haircut.

Hahaha, I remember seeing it and thinking how incredibly stupid it looked. Ronaldo contributed many great things to football. That haircut? Not one of them.

...No offense or anything...

 

[soccerjerseys]

He was really the best player of his time. People will never forget him. But however its time to say good bye to him from soccer's world.

 

[clash]

He was really the best player of his time. People will never forget him. But however its time to say good bye to him from soccer's world.

Why hasn't this **** been banned/deleted yet?