Brazil legend Ze Roberto retires aged 43 after final game for Palmeiras against Botafogo
Ex-Real Madrid and Bayern Munich ace won two Copa Americas and finished runner up at the 1998 World Cup
BRAZIL legend Ze Roberto has hung up his boots aged 43.
Palmeiras said farewell to the highly-decorated Samba ace following last night's 2-0 win over Botafogo.
The club's Twitter account posted a caricature of him, captioned: "He hits his chest and says: @ZR11OFFICIAL is great!
"There were 133 games, 69 wins, 10 goals, 11 assists and 2 titles. Today we say goodbye to a legend! #ObrigadoZe (Thank you Ze)."
Ze Roberto won two Copa Americas and finished runner up at the 1998 World Cup.
The left-back, who also played on the wing, made 85 Brazil appearances and scored six times for his country.
Ze Roberto won La Liga and the Champions League with Real Madrid and claimed four Bundesliga titles in six years at Bayern Munich over two stints.
He began his career in Brazil with Portuguesa and moved to Real in 1997.
Thanks for Ze memories
Ze Roberto's 21-trophy career haul:
Real Madrid - La Liga, 1996-97; Spanish Super Cup, 1997; Champions League, 1997-98
Bayern Munich - 2002-03, 2004-05, 2005-06, 2007-08; German Cup, 2002-03, 2004-05, 2005-06, 2007-08; German League Cup, 2004, 2007
Santos - Campeonato Paulista, 2007
Al-Gharafa - Emir of Qatar Cup, 2012
Palmeiras - Copa do Brasil, 2015; Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A, 2016
Brazil - Copa America, 1997, 1999; Fifa Confederations Cup, 1997, 2005
A return to South America with Flamengo followed, before spells at Bayer Leverkusen, Bayern, Santos, Hamburg, Al-Gharafa, Gremio and Palmeiras.
Ze Roberto was named captain upon joining Palmeiras in 2014 and immediately helped them win the Brazil Cup.
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The following season they finished as champions.
Fifa paid tribute to the Brazilian veteran. The World Cup Twitter account posted: "Farewell to a legend!
"Congratulations on a wonderful career Ze Roberto - Two-time Brazil World Cup squad member and two-time Confederations Cup winner."
