“It Felt Like Someone Close to Me Had Died” — Ronaldo on Retirement

“It Felt Like Someone Close to Me Had Died” — Ronaldo on Retirement

Brazilian football legend Ronaldo has opened up about the emotional toll of retiring from professional football, revealing that walking away from the game left him battling severe depression and significant weight gain.

The two-time Ballon d’Or winner said ending his illustrious playing career in 2011 was one of the most difficult moments of his life, comparing the experience to losing someone close.

Speaking on the Futebol Legends Talks podcast, Ronaldo reflected on the emotional vacuum that followed his retirement after 18 years at the highest level.

“When you decide to leave the game, it feels like someone close to you has died,” he said. “I suffered from severe depression. I gained a lot of weight. It was very difficult to leave football.”

Ronaldo, who won two FIFA World Cups with Brazil and finished as the top scorer at the 2002 tournament, said he struggled to come to terms with no longer being able to compete.

“The idea of not playing anymore was devastating,” he admitted.

The former striker explained that it took time to adjust to life beyond football, but he eventually found new ways to channel his passion and redefine his purpose.

“Then you realise there are other things in life that you can do. You can reinvent yourself, but the idea of not competing stayed with me for a long time,” he added.

Ronaldo’s candid remarks highlight the often-overlooked mental health challenges many elite athletes face after retirement, when the end of a sporting career can bring a profound loss of identity alongside the need to adapt to a completely different way of life.