Legendary Brazilian playmaker Ronaldinho has officially retired from football, the player’s brother and agent Roberto Assis has confirmed.
The 37-year-old hasn’t played professionally since leaving Brazilian side Fluminense in 2015.
Plans are already underway for a farewell schedule of games.
“He’s quit football, it’s over,” Assis told O Globo. “Let’s now do something nice [his farewell], big as it should [be], after the Russia World Cup, maybe in August.
Ronaldinho was capped 97 times by Brazil, scoring 33 goals – including two en route to World Cup glory in Japan and South Korea in 2002.
He joined Paris Saint-Germain from Gremio to begin his European career, which flourished spectacularly at Barcelona between 2003 and 2008.
Ronaldinho inspired back-to-back La Liga triumphs in 2004-05 and 2005-06, also winning the Champions League in the latter season.
He was at the peak of his powers as he claimed the Ballon d’Or in 2005; less so during a three-year stay with AC Milan, although he did feature in all-star line-ups alongside the likes of Paolo Maldini, Kaka and David Beckham.