After being released by AC Milan, there was great interest in what Ronaldo would do next. His name still commanded respect around Europe, and he was linked with a move to either Manchester City or Siena, and trained with Flamengo, the club he had supported since childhood. However, he eventually decided to join Corinthians, and signed in December 2008.
It would be the first time he had played club football in his homeland since leaving Cruzeiro at the beginning of his career, and it was seen as a great coup for Corinthians to bring such a legendary figure back to Brazil. He made his debut for the club in March 2009, and scored his first goal in the following game against Palmeiras.
His goals helped Corinthians to win the 2009 Campeonato Paulista, as he scored 10 times in 14 games. He later helped his side to win the Copa do Brasil, and secure a return to the Copa Libertadores. In the 2009 Brasileirão, his first since 1993, he scored 12 times as Corinthians finished tenth.
Ronaldo promptly signed a contract extension until the end of 2011, and announced that when it ended he would retire. However, he did not make it that far, as in February of this year, after Corinthians were knocked out of the Copa Libertadores by Deportes Tolima, he declared his intention to quit the game.
He said in a press conference that his body could no longer handle the strain of professional football. After years of injury problems, he was finally forced to give in. It was announced that a farewell game would be arranged for him to say goodbye to the Brazil fans, and allow them to thank him for the many years of greatness he has given them.
So tomorrow against Romania, Ronaldo will take to the field for the Seleção for the final time. After winning two World Cups, two Copa Americas, two Ballon d’Ors and countless other trophies, he will step aside to make way for the next generation of Brazilian talent. And so, the journey of a legend is complete.
