Barcelona and Brazil legend, Ronaldinho, has retired from football

- His brother who doubles as his agent Roberto Assis confirmed the report
- Ronaldinho, 37, won the Ballon d’Or and the UEFA Champions League in a glittering career.

Barcelona and Brazil legend, Ronaldinho, has retired from football as confirmed by his brother Roberto Assis who doubles as his agent.

Ronaldinho, 37, who won the Ballon d’Or and the UEFA Champions League in a glittering career, has not played for a professional team since leaving Brazilian Seria A side Fluminense in 2015.

Last July, Ronaldinho said on the sidelines of a friendly in Chechnya that he was “too old” to return to action.

Dinho's brother and agent, Roberto Assis, confirmed the news of the Brazil star's decision in an opened column for the Brazilian media outlet O Globo, revealing plans for farewell tribute events after the 2018 World Cup – three years after Ronaldinho’s last club game.

Assis said: “He has stopped, it is ended,”
“Let’s do something pretty big and nice after the Russia World Cup, probably in August.

We will do various events in Brazil, Europe and Asia and, of course, we are arranging something with the Brazilian team as well.”

Ronaldinho’s played as an attacking midfielder, winger and forward throughout his career. He started his footballing career with Grêmio in his native Brazil, before moving to Europe with Paris Saint-Germain in 2001.

Ronaldinho had a star performance at the 2002 World Cup which drew interest from Europe’s elite clubs, and he joined Barcelona in 2003.

His five-year spell at the Camp Nou was the pinnacle of his club career, where he won two league titles, the 2005 Ballon d’Or and the 2006 Champions League.

Ronaldinho who was tagged the 'golden boy' of European football reportedly lost focus at Barcelona and was sold to Milan as Pep Guardiola replaced Frank Rijkaard as manager.

The playmaker also disappointed both fans and teammates at the 2006 World Cup and missing out on selection in 2010, despite a resurgence in form that helped Milan win the Serie A title in 2010-11.

Ronaldinho returned to Brazil at the end of that season and finished his club career at Flamengo, Atlético Mineiro and Fluminense, as well as a brief spell in Mexico with Querétaro.

He earned the last of his 98 Brazil caps against Chile in April 2013.