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#2 Ronaldo
Position: Forward
Clubs: Cruzeiro, PSV, Barcelona, Inter, Real Madrid, AC Milan, Corinthians.
Injury: Knee
Age at decline: 29
Age at retirement: 34
Ronaldo was one of the members of the famous Brazilian squad that won the 2002 FIFA World Cup. It seems remarkable to consider that a career which included two World Cup wins, along with successful spells at Barcelona, Real Madrid, both Milan clubs and three Fifa World Player of the Year awards as limited as Ronaldo’s.
But, having been arguably the greatest striker of all time, the Brazilian would surely take the title undisputedly if it wasn't for the knee tendon problems that ravaged his time at the top, and did what few defenders could - stop him in his tracks.
Speaking on the occasion of his retirement in 2012, El Fenomeno said: "Four years ago in Milan I found out that I was suffering from a problem that is called hypothyroidism, a complaint which slows your metabolism, and that to control it I would have to take medication which is considered illegal in football," he said.
"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." It was an admission that proved despite performances that often suggested otherwise, the Brazilian was human after all.
"My decision [to keep playing] was always led by my heart, and my love for football always helped me to break through the walls in front of me. It's hard for anyone to lose weight, and for me even more so. Hyperthyroidism slows my metabolism, but I always wanted to play."
To see a player of Ronaldo’s calibre finish in such a manner disappointed many fans across the world, but that’s the impact a serious injury can have.
