Ronaldo, the goalscoring genius of Brazil, has retired.

The man whose skills led Brazil to the 2002 World Cup title was the three-time FIFA World Player of the Year.

Ronaldo confirmed his retirement in a tearful speech on Monday at a press conference in Sao Paulo.

He is 34.

The Corinthians striker told members of the assembled press that he had enjoyed a "beautiful, emotional, marvellous career."

But he said, in the last two years he had been plagued with a long series of injuries.

Ronaldo also revealed problems with an under-active thyroid that makes him put on weight.

He said the condition would now need to be treated with hormones which aren't allowed in football.

During his glittering 14 year career, Ronaldo scored many goals for the European teams PSV Eindhoven, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Real Madrid and AC Milan, before returning to Brazil in 2009.

He won the World Cup with Brazil in 2002 and was twice named European Footballer of the Year.