Ronaldo retires

The 34-year-old's decision to retire brings an abrupt end to one of the most prestigious careers the world of football has ever seen.

Ronaldo was a part of the Brazil's World Cup wins in both 1994 and 2002, and is one of only two men to have won the FIFA Player of the Year award three times, along with France's Zinedine Zidane.

The striker won his first Ballon d'Or as the European Footballer of the Year in 1997 aged just 21-years-old, and again in 2002.

During his career, the forward racked up over 350 club goals and he won 97 caps for the Samba Boys.

"I can't take any more," Ronaldo told Estado de Sao Paulo.

"I wanted to continue, but I can't do it anymore. I think of an action, but I can't do it the way I want to. It's time.

"It's the body that's hurting me. The head wants to go on, but the body can't take any more."

In 2007, Ronaldo was named as one of the best starting eleven of all-time by France Football and was named to the FIFA 100 - a list of the greatest footballers compiled by fellow Brazil legend Pele.