Brazil's Ronaldo set to announce his retirement

The 34-year-old three-times world player of the year has a contract with Corinthians until the end of 2011 but is bringing his retirement forward after the team's shocking early elimination from the Libertadores Cup and violent protests from fans.

Ronaldo told the Estado de Sao Paulo newspaper's website (www.estadao.com.br) his regular injury problems were one of his main reasons for quitting now.

"I can't take it any more," Ronaldo said. "I wanted to carry on, but I can't. I plan a move (in a game) but I cannot execute as I wish. The time is up. But it was nice, dammit."

Ronaldo, who will make his announcement in a news conference at the Corinthians training ground on Monday, is ending a brilliant career in which he scored more than 400 goals including a record 15 at World Cups.

The striker, an unused squad member when Brazil won the World Cup in 1994 and their top scorer when they won their record fifth title in 2002, is expected to remain at the club in an administrative role; Kazinform cites China Daily.

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