SAO PAULO (AP):

Former Brazil and Barcelona star Rivaldo officially retired on Saturday after a 24-year career that he said was built "upon a miracle" that allowed him to overcome financial challenges and disappointments.

The 41-year-old midfielder, a World Cup winner with Brazil in 2002, hadn't been playing at a top level for several years and finally decided to end his career with an announcement on his Twitter and Instagram accounts.

FIFA's Player of the Year in 1999, Rivaldo had been playing sparingly for minnow Brazilian club Mogi Mirim. He is expected to remain as the president of Mogi Mirim, where his 18-year-old son is now playing.

"With tears in my eyes today, I would like first to thank God, my family and all the support (and) the affection that I received during those 24 years as a player," Rivaldo said in a statement published both in Portuguese and in English. "Today, I communicate to all my fans in the world (that) my history as a player came to the end."