Editing Ronaldo (Brazilian footballer) (section)

===Corinthians===
====2009–2010: Paulistão and Copa do Brasil====
[[File:LulaeRonaldo (2009).jpg|thumb|Ronaldo during his Corinthians unveiling in 2009, with Brazil president [[Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva|Lula]] handing him the jersey|alt=|220x220px]]

Ronaldo trained with Rio de Janeiro based Brazilian club [[Clube de Regatas do Flamengo|Flamengo]] during his recovery from knee surgery, and the club's board of directors said that the doors were open for him to join.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ronaldo returns to training with Flamengo but remains a free agent |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/international/3068247/Ronaldo-returns-to-training-with-Flamengo-but-remains-a-free-agent.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/international/3068247/Ronaldo-returns-to-training-with-Flamengo-but-remains-a-free-agent.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=22 September 2018 |work=The Telegraph}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Ronaldo sparks fury by ditching Flamengo for Corinthians |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/dec/10/ronaldo-corinthians-injury |access-date=22 September 2018 |work=The Guardian |archive-date=25 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170425205751/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/dec/10/ronaldo-corinthians-injury |url-status=live }}</ref> On 9 December, however, Ronaldo signed a one-year deal with Flamengo's league rival [[Sport Club Corinthians Paulista|Corinthians]].<ref name="Flamengo">[https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/ronaldo-agrees-to-join-corinthians-1058987.html "Ronaldo agrees to join Corinthians"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181211060955/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/ronaldo-agrees-to-join-corinthians-1058987.html |date=11 December 2018 }}. ''The Independent''. Retrieved 28 June 2014</ref> The announcement received much publicity in the Brazilian press about his choice of Corinthians over Flamengo, since Ronaldo publicly declared himself a Flamengo fan.<ref name="Corinthians">[https://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/dec/10/ronaldo-corinthians-injury "Ronaldo sparks fury by ditching Flamengo for Corinthians"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170425205751/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/dec/10/ronaldo-corinthians-injury |date=25 April 2017 }}. ''The Guardian''. Retrieved 21 June 2014</ref> Rio-based sports newspaper ''[[Lance!]]'' called Ronaldo a "phenomenal traitor", and some angry fans burned Ronaldo shirts outside the Flamengo headquarters.<ref name="Flamengo"/> Ronaldo responded that playing for Corinthians was the only option open to him. "I understand perfectly, I'm openly a Flamengo fan. But I was training with Flamengo for four months and didn't receive any offer. Corinthians made an offer that will let me continue my career."<ref name="Flamengo"/>

Ronaldo played his first match for Corinthians on 4 March 2009, a [[Copa do Brasil]] match against [[Itumbiara Esporte Clube|Itumbiara]] at [[Estádio JK|Estádio Juscelino Kubitschek]], in which he came as a substitute for [[Jorge Henrique de Souza|Jorge Henrique]].<ref name="itumbiara">{{Cite news| title = Aos 22min do 2º tempo, Ronaldo estréia pelo Corinthians| url = http://esportes.terra.com.br/futebol/copadobrasil/interna/0,,OI3614269-EI1950,00-Aos+min+do+tempo+Ronaldo+estreia+pelo+Corinthians.html| publisher = Terra| date = 4 March 2009| access-date = 4 March 2009| language = pt| archive-date = 13 May 2011| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110513102349/http://esportes.terra.com.br/futebol/copadobrasil/interna/0,,OI3614269-EI1950,00-Aos+min+do+tempo+Ronaldo+estreia+pelo+Corinthians.html| url-status = live}}</ref> Ronaldo scored his first goal for Corinthians on 8 March 2009 in a [[Campeonato Paulista]] match against [[Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras|Palmeiras]].<ref name="firstgoalcorinthians">{{Cite news| title = Com gol de Ronaldo no final, Corinthians arranca empate contra o Palmeiras| url = http://www1.folha.uol.com.br/folha/esporte/ult92u531293.shtml| publisher = Folha Online| date = 8 March 2009| access-date = 8 March 2009| language = pt| archive-date = 11 March 2009| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090311033957/http://www1.folha.uol.com.br/folha/esporte/ult92u531293.shtml| url-status = live}}</ref> Scoring eight goals in nine matches, his form led to calls for his return to the Brazil national team – nearly 70% of respondents in a poll for the ''[[O Globo]]'' newspaper voted that he should be reinstated, with the country's president [[Lula]] also calling for his immediate return.<ref name="King">{{cite news |title=Cuddly comeback king Ronaldo eating balls again |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2009/apr/30/ronaldo-goals-corinthians-brazil |access-date=4 September 2018 |work=The Guardian |archive-date=4 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180904192208/https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2009/apr/30/ronaldo-goals-corinthians-brazil |url-status=live }}</ref> He scored twice in a 3–1 win against local rivals [[Santos FC|Santos]] in the first leg of the state championship final, with Santos idol [[Pelé]] looking on from the stands. His second goal, a chip over the Santos goalkeeper from 30 yards out, sent the Corinthians fans into hysteria.<ref name="King"/> Ultimately, he helped Corinthians win the Campeonato Paulista with ten goals in 14 games.<ref>[http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-05/16/content_11383489.htm News.Xinhuanet.com] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160411002645/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-05/16/content_11383489.htm |date=11 April 2016 }}</ref>

Ronaldo scored in Corinthians 4–2 aggregate defeat of [[Sport Club Internacional|Internacional]] in the final of the [[2009 Copa do Brasil]], helping the club win the trophy for the third time (the second of his career), thus earning a spot in the Copa Libertadores 2010.<ref>{{cite news |title=2009 Copa Brasil |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesb/brazcup09.html |access-date=8 September 2018 |agency=Rsssf.com |archive-date=14 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220714213029/https://www.rsssf.org/tablesb/brazcup09.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Vickery |first1=Tim |title=Can Ronaldo prove us wrong again? |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/timvickery/2010/10/can_ronaldo_prove_us_wrong_aga.html |access-date=30 August 2018 |agency=BBC |date=18 October 2010 |archive-date=16 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161116044418/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/timvickery/2010/10/can_ronaldo_prove_us_wrong_aga.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Following an injury lay off he returned on 20 September in a match against [[Goiás Esporte Clube|Goiás]], and a week later scored for Corinthians in a draw against [[São Paulo FC|São Paulo]]. He finished the [[2009 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A]] with 12 goals in 20 matches.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ronaldo 2009 / 2010 Brazilian Serie A |url=http://www.espnfc.com/player/20123/ronaldo?season=2009 |access-date=30 August 2018 |agency=ESPN |archive-date=31 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180831002652/http://www.espnfc.com/player/20123/ronaldo?season=2009 |url-status=live }}</ref>

====2011: Retirement====
[[File:Ronaldo says Goodbye to Europe! (5575600354).jpg|thumb|right|Ronaldo greets fans at the [[Emirates Stadium]] in London in March 2011, one month after announcing his retirement]]

In February 2010, Ronaldo signed a contract extension with Corinthians that would keep him with the club until the end of 2011, and said he would then retire.<ref>{{cite news |title=Brazil star Ronaldo to retire in 2011 |agency=CNN |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2010/SPORT/football/02/22/brazil.ronaldo.retires/index.html |access-date=22 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220811205954/http://edition.cnn.com/2010/SPORT/football/02/22/brazil.ronaldo.retires/index.html |archive-date=11 August 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=22 February 2011 |title=Ronaldo Renews Corinthians Contract, Will Retire In 2011 |work=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-soccer-latam-brazil-ronaldo-idUKTRE61L4KK20100222 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220811210024/https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-soccer-latam-brazil-ronaldo-idUKTRE61L4KK20100222 |archive-date=11 August 2022}}</ref> Commenting on his weight issues following this announcement, Brian Homewood of ''The Guardian'' stated: "Sadly, Ronaldo's celebrity is now more of a draw than his skills on the pitch – [[Coldplay]], Israeli prime minister [[Shimon Peres]] and actor [[Hugh Jackman]] have all visited São Paulo to get a picture with the roly‑poly star."<ref>{{cite news |last=Homewood |first=Brian |date=14 March 2010 |title=Ronaldo announces retirement after going from fab to flab |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/mar/14/ronaldo-announces-retirement-corinthians |access-date=22 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220811205727/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/mar/14/ronaldo-announces-retirement-corinthians |archive-date=11 August 2022}}</ref>

In February 2011, after Corinthians were eliminated from the 2011 Copa Libertadores by the [[Colombia]]n team [[Deportes Tolima]], Ronaldo announced his retirement from football, concluding an 18-year career.<ref name="Retirement">{{cite news |last=Gallas |first=Daniel |date=14 January 2011 |title=Ronaldo's troubled farewell |work=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/9397354.stm |access-date=14 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220811212457/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/9397354.stm |archive-date=11 August 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=13 February 2011 |title=Ronaldo confirma o fim da carreira (In Portuguese) |language=pt |publisher=GloboEsporte |url=http://globoesporte.globo.com/futebol/times/corinthians/noticia/2011/02/para-jornal-ronaldo-confirma-o-fim-da-carreira-esta-na-hora.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220811212500/http://globoesporte.globo.com/futebol/times/corinthians/noticia/2011/02/para-jornal-ronaldo-confirma-o-fim-da-carreira-esta-na-hora.html |archive-date=11 August 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/880463/emotional-ronaldo-confirms-retirement-from-football?cc=5739|title=Ronaldo confirms retirement|date=14 January 2011|work=ESPN Soccernet|access-date=14 February 2011|archive-date=28 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628223154/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/880463/emotional-ronaldo-confirms-retirement-from-football?cc=5739|url-status=dead}}</ref> In an emotional press conference on 14 February, he cited pain and [[hypothyroidism]] as the reasons for his premature retirement.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://globoesporte.globo.com/futebol/noticia/2011/02/emocionado-ronaldo-revela-hipotiroidismo-e-da-adeus-ao-futebol.html |title=Emocionado, Ronaldo atribui adeus às dores e ao hipotireoidismo |access-date=14 February 2011 |date=14 February 2011 |publisher=Globo.com |archive-date=25 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180725111158/http://globoesporte.globo.com/futebol/noticia/2011/02/emocionado-ronaldo-revela-hipotiroidismo-e-da-adeus-ao-futebol.html |url-status=live }}</ref> He discovered he had hypothyroidism – a condition which slows down metabolism and causes weight gain – during tests with Milan in 2007.<ref>{{cite news |title=Brazil soccer legend Ronaldo retires |agency=CNN |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2011/SPORT/football/02/14/football.ronaldo.brazil.barcelona/index.html |access-date=4 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110214215817/http://edition.cnn.com/2011/SPORT/football/02/14/football.ronaldo.brazil.barcelona/index.html |archive-date=14 February 2011}}</ref>

The player said that the problem could be solved by taking hormones, but this practice is forbidden in football and would lead to a suspension for doping.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://globoesporte.globo.com/futebol/noticia/2011/02/emocionado-ronaldo-revela-hipotiroidismo-e-da-adeus-ao-futebol.html |title=Emocionado, Ronaldo atribui adeus às dores e ao hipotireoidismo |date=14 February 2011 |access-date=6 January 2021 |publisher=GloboEsporte.com |author=Carlos Augusto Ferrari e Leandro Canônico |archive-date=25 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180725111158/http://globoesporte.globo.com/futebol/noticia/2011/02/emocionado-ronaldo-revela-hipotiroidismo-e-da-adeus-ao-futebol.html |url-status=live }}</ref> However, doctors disagree that such treatment would be confused with doping, with some publicly claiming that Ronaldo had lied when he said could not treat his hypothyroidism.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://veja.abril.com.br/saude/ronaldo-mentiu-ao-dizer-que-nao-podia-tratar-hipotireoidismo/ |title=Ronaldo mentiu ao dizer que não podia tratar hipotireoidismo |date=14 February 2011 |access-date=6 January 2021 |publisher=VEJA |author=Jones Rossi |archive-date=11 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111222037/https://veja.abril.com.br/saude/ronaldo-mentiu-ao-dizer-que-nao-podia-tratar-hipotireoidismo/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Corinthians' own doctor said that Ronaldo did not have this disease. Hypothyroidism is usually associated with a slight weight gain (eminently due to fluid accumulation, not fat gain) and difficulty getting rid of extra pounds.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.viomundo.com.br/voce-escreve/especialistas-alertam-hipotiroidismo-nao-causa-obesidade-nem-o-remedio-para-a-doenca-da-doping.html |title=Especialistas alertam: Hipotiroidismo não causa obesidade nem remédio para a doença dá doping |date=14 February 2011 |access-date=6 January 2021 |publisher=Viomundo |author=Conceição Lemes |archive-date=25 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125165830/https://www.viomundo.com.br/voce-escreve/especialistas-alertam-hipotiroidismo-nao-causa-obesidade-nem-o-remedio-para-a-doenca-da-doping.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://revistaepoca.globo.com/Revista/Epoca/0,,EMI212342-15230,00-A+GORDURA+DE+RONALDO+A+TIREOIDE+E+A+PAIXAO.html |title=A gordura de Ronaldo, a tireoide e a paixão |date=18 February 2011 |access-date=6 January 2021 |publisher=Revista Época |author=Cristiane Segatto |archive-date=18 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210918170346/http://revistaepoca.globo.com/Revista/Epoca/0,,EMI212342-15230,00-A+GORDURA+DE+RONALDO+A+TIREOIDE+E+A+PAIXAO.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Ronaldo admitted his body had finally succumbed to the crippling litany of injuries that had blighted his career: "It's very hard to leave something that made me so happy. Mentally I wanted to continue but I have to acknowledge that I lost to my body. The head wants to go on but the body can't take any more. I think of an action but I can't do it the way I want to. It's time to go."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/feb/14/ronaldo-retires-lost-to-my-body|title=Ronaldo admits in emotional retirement address: 'I lost to my body'|date=14 January 2011|work=Guardian|access-date=14 February 2011|location=London|archive-date=24 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224103907/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/feb/14/ronaldo-retires-lost-to-my-body|url-status=live}}</ref>