(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-04-15 15:18

RIO DE JANEIRO - Brazilian striker Romario announced his retirement on Monday at the age of 42, ending a career in which he won the World Cup, was involved in numerous controversies and claimed to have scored more than 1,000 goals.

"Officially, I'm not playing any more. I've stopped," Romario said at a DVD launch. "My time is up. Everything has been a lot of fun."

Romario played for Brazil at the 1990 and 1994 World Cups, scoring five goals to help Brazil win the latter tournament. He made 73 appearances for his country between 1987 and 2005, scoring 56 goals.

He had four stints with Vasco da Gama, where he started and finished his career, and also played for Flamengo and Fluminense in Brazil, Barcelona, PSV Eindhoven and Valencia.

Romario also had spells with Al Sadd in Qatar, Miami FC in the United States and Adelaide United in Australia.

He has admitted that some of his 1,000 goals were scored in club friendlies, testimonials and youth team games.