et tu? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/begging.gif)

He actually looks much thinner now.

Well drucurl, you probably know this, but R9 has announced his last season will be in 2011. He'll try to conquer Copa Libertadores with Corinthians once more before hanging the boots.

He should be remembered as one of the best strikers ever. Sad taht the great generation of strikers: Ronaldo, Sheva, Henry, RvN, Pipppo and so on... alsmost faded away already.

Em..*ahem* what was that about Pippo?? He's immortal..sorry.

very sad day indeed but so long Ronaldo. the most incredible player that i have ever seen. i was watching a couple of games of him recently and it still gave shivers up my spine to see what he was capable of. thanks for the golden years indeed. i feel very blessed to have seen you play in my time.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/king.gif)

the best pure forward I've watched play, thank you for the football memories!

A phenomenon ! His statistics in front of goal speak volumes ... Wherever he played, he commanded the front line ... What he used to do to our defense, while at la merda ... My heart skipped a beat whenever he was facing our back four. I look back and it was a privilege to have lived and watched him grace this beautiful game.

I don't believe this is not a sad day, per say ... This is the day his name is imprinted in history .. Up there with the likes of Zidane, as one of the greatest footballers of all time.

Thanks for the tribute Jack (the Bauer one), dst, R7 and Trini. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cry.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/goodheart.gif) Love it. This seems to be the final nail in the coffin for me, all my heroes are finally setting in the west. Paolo, Baggio, Rui Costa, Dida and now Ronaldo. Sad news, I know, and football will never be the same for me from now on, but like R7 said, we should be thankful for all the memories over the years.

The guy could do anything, making attacking runs, dodge players, keep the ball stickied to his feets, shoot a thunderous shot, even scored a few from free kicks. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/king.gif) A pure terrorizing presence in front of goal. For me Ronaldo was the best striker, as was Baggio the best forward, Rui Costa the best mid, Dida the best keeper, and Paolo Maldini the best defender that ever lived. No one else comes close.

It has been an honor and a privilege watching them through the years. And as a Milan fan, no better feeling than to seeing all of the Fantastic Five wear the red and black shirt one time or another. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/devil.gif) The best thing is that the human incarnation of Milan the club itself (Paolo Maldini) shared the ground with all of them.

And great, great videos, Trini. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cool.gif) Lovely stuff.

I guess his nickname says it all; O FENOMENO!

Certainly the best striker I've seen so far. thank you for all the excitement you brought to the game.

This post has been edited by Zed.D: Feb 15 2011, 09:03 AM

I must say I admire his talents but things such as the 98 WC final still stick in my mind, what was going on then?! Also remember the torrid run of injuries he had mid-way through his career.

To me I don't remember him as one of the finest to ever play personally, like, for example Zidane (although obviously and statistically he was).

Though if people think anywhere near this guy as to what I think of Sheva as a footballer then it must be quite a sad day to see him finally hang up his boots.

He was having (and played with) a problem with some kind of injury or illness on that final game day IINM. acid must know better. but it's not important anyway, that's what legends do, they fall and rise, and Ronaldo rose in another final game 4 years later!

EDIT: it's a shame that he never won a CL (as much a shame as Maldini never winning a World Cup)

This post has been edited by Zed.D: Feb 15 2011, 09:57 AM

He had epilepsy fit the very morning of the WC98 final against France.

Ah, that (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) then that collision with Barthez and he was done for that night.

Thanks Trini. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) And yes, he was unwell for the final match, but was still forced to play by Nike. This I know, his name was not on the list an hour or so before the match, but was then put in. Some rumors say it was the French mafia or FIFA itself that wanted the home country to lift the cup. And still, others say that his food was poisoned the eve of the final.

Wild stuff, and while I don't buy all of it, the fact is that he was not himself in that match. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) Unsurprising really, seeing as anyone would not be performing at his usual self after having a seizure fit the day before. I remember watching it live, then recorded, and all I know is that, that was not his finest moment. The Brazil NT team itself put up a disjointed effort that day.

But Ronaldo's performance against Croatia and Holland before that was epic. He scored a goal in the semi, and almost got another one with a thrilling run, but the Dutch defender took out his legs. That was probably the only way they would have stopped him. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mad.gif) Anyway, I believe his legend is not built on the goals he scored, and stats he accumulated, but on little magical moments scattered throughout his career on the pitch. Just like Maldini. There may be players who have won more than these two players, but both left as Gods of football when they did. This I know.

PS. Ash, Sheva was known as the "White Ronaldo". (IMG:style_emoticons/default/devil.gif) If ever there was a striker that I would put after Ronaldo, it'll be Shevchenko. That Ukrainian, too, could do it all.