Ronaldo to retire in December 2011

"Time goes by for everybody, even for me," Ronaldo told a press conference in Sao Paulo Monday.

The striker, 33, said he had signed a new contract with Corinthians that was set to expire in December 2011.

Ronaldo, winner of the Ballon d'Or in 1997 and 2002 and FIFA Player of the Year 1996, 1997 and 2002, last played for Brazil in the 2006 World Cup.

He has not once been called for national duty by current Brazil coach Carlos Dunga, but said that he still feels capable of shining on the pitch in this last stretch of his career.

"I want to give my best. I hope to enjoy myself and to end with important conquests," Ronaldo said.

The Brazilian is the top scorer in the history of World Cups, with 15 goals, and he played in the United States 1994, France 1998, Japan/South Korea 2002 and Germany 2006, to claim two trophies.

The former player of Barcelona, Inter Milan and Real Madrid, among others, returned to Brazilian football in 2008, when he joined Corinthians even as he recovered from a serious knee injury. He then led the popular club to the title in the Sao Paulo state championship and the Brazilian Cup.


/Trend News/