- FINAL MINUTES IN THE SUN: Brazil legend Ronaldo holds off a defender during his farewell appearance for the Selecao in a friendly match against Romania at the Pacaembu Stadium in Sao Paulo on Tuesday. Ronaldo came on to a standing ovation and played fifteen minutes before being given a guard of honour when going off at half time. Photo: AFP
Ronaldo’s career with Brazil’s national team came to an emotional end as he was given a send-off during Tuesday’s friendly game against Romania.
The 34-year-old striker made a cameo appearance in the game from the 30th minute until halftime, when he was honoured in a ceremony that recognised his contribution to the ‘Selecao’.
Brazil won the match – their last before the Copa America – 1-0, with Fred scoring in the first half.
The three-time FIFA Player of the Year, who retired in February after an 18-year career, represented Brazil in four World Cups – winning two of them – and remains the competition’s all-time leading scorer with 15 goals.
Players from both teams lined up near the sideline and applauded Ronaldo as he left the field at halftime.
Visibly moved, he put the Brazilian flag on his back, and with the ball in his hand, went around saluting the fans that packed the Pacaembu stadium.
“Thank you for all that you have done for me throughout my career,” Ronaldo said, addressing the supporters from the pitch.
“Thank you for having accepted me the way I am, for having cried when I cried and for having smiled when I smiled.”
Fred celebrated the only goal of the game with his index finger raised, mimicking Ronaldo’s trademark goal celebration before being substituted for Ronaldo, when he ushered the legend onto the field by hailing him with a repeated bowing gesture.
The crowd cheered loudly every time Ronaldo touched the ball, and he nearly scored in the 35th after Neymar found him free from any markers in front of the net but he was unable to finish from close range.
Tuesday’s match marked the end of the career of a player considered as one of the greatest Brazilian strikers of all time.
He thrived with some of Europe’s top teams – Barcelona, Real Madrid, Inter Milan and AC Milan – but it was with Brazil that he excelled the most.
He scored 67 goals in 104 matches in the yellow shirt, behind only Pele’s 95 goals.
As a teenager, Ronaldo was a member of the squad that won the 1994 World Cup in the United States, and in 1998 he was part of the team that lost in the final to France, having taken his place in the team despite suffering seizures the night before the match.
His biggest moment came at the 2002 World Cup, after he recovered from one of the many serious knee injuries that plagued his career.
He scored twice in the final against Germany to lead Brazil to its fifth world title.
RONALDO
Born: September 22, 1976
Born in: Rio de Janeiro, BrazilHeight: 1.83 m
Weight: 82kg
Position: Striker
Goals: 62 in 97 appearances
CLUBS
Cruzerio (1993-94)
PSV Eindhoven (1994-96)
Barcelona (1996-97)
Inter Milan (1997-02)
Real Madrid (2002-07)
AC Milan (2007-08)
Corinthians (2008-11)
HONOURS
World Cup winner with Brazil (1994, 2002)
Top scorer in World Cup finals (15 goals)
European Player of the Year (1997, 2002)
FIFA Player of the Year (1996, 1997, 2002)
Source : The Daily Star
