Belletti only recently signed for Ceara but has called time on his career due to persistent Achilles problems.
“I want to continue, but my body won’t let me,” he announced on his Twitter account on Monday. “Today I close my career as a professional footballer due to physical problems.”
The 35-year-old started and finished his career in Brazil. In between, he played in Europe for Villarreal, Barcelona and Chelsea, and scored the winning goal in the 2006 Champions League final.
He picked up 23 caps for Brazil, scoring once, and was part of the squad that won the 2002 World Cup.
