SAO PAULO, Brazil -- 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, hadnt 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. FIFAs 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." The talented playmaker thrived in Brazil and abroad in the 1990s, winning two Spanish league titles with Barcelona and the 2003 Champions League trophy with AC Milan, which was his last top European club, before spending time in Greece and finally returning to Brazilian football four years ago. The last top team he played in Brazil was Sao Paulo in 2011, but he was released after an unsuccessful stint in which he played only a few matches as a starter. Before rejoining Mogi Mirim, the team that launched him to the national scene in 1994, Rivaldo played for Kabuscorp in Angola and then for Sao Caetano in Brazil, which he left last year citing knee pain. In his statement, Rivaldo mentioned the hardships that he had to overcome early in his career. He said there were "many obstacles, challenges, waivers, longings, disappointments," but also "much greater joys, achievements, growth (and) change" that allowed a "distant dream" to come true. "I built my career upon a miracle, (living) in (the small city of) Paulista, no financial resources, no businessman, incentives only of my family, discredited by doctors and trainers," he said. "With persistence, dedication and especially with the hand of God, I came to be recognized as the best player in the world, world champion." Along with his statement, Rivaldo published a photo of him with tears in his eyes and another of him alongside his son, Rivaldo Jr. Last month, they got to play together in a Mogi Mirim match and Rivaldo said he fulfilled a longtime dream. Rivaldo also played in the 1998 World Cup, when Brazil was runner-up to France. With the Selecao, he also won the 1997 Confederations Cup, the 1999 Copa America and a bronze medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. Rivaldo also previously played for traditional Brazilian clubs Palmeiras and Corinthians, as well as for Deportivo La Coruna in Spain, Olympiacos and AEK Athens in Greece, and Bunyodkor in Uzbekistan. Wholesale NHL Jerseys . - Suspended Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Justin Blackmon has voluntarily checked into a treatment facility and seems to be doing well. Cheap NHL Jerseys Authentic . Louis Blues, having added Ryan Miller and Steve Ott from Buffalo, remain the No. https://www.chinanhljerseys.us/ . FIFA said in a statement Friday that "several racist and discriminatory incidents were apparently perpetrated by local supporters during the match, in particular by displaying neo-Nazi banners and by making monkey noises and gestures as well as Nazi salutes. NHL Jerseys China .com) - Ryan Johansens creative moves and hometown appeal highlighted Team Folignos successful night at the NHL All- Star Skills Competition. Wholesale NHL Jerseys China . Aaron Hill and Cliff Pennington hit home runs in the first inning for the Diamondbacks, who beat the Miami Marlins 3-2 on Friday night.The Formula 1 season continues live on Sky Sports - and there are a host of ways you can watch the Japanese Grand Prix. Youll have to set your alarm to catch the race at 6am on Sunday.Sky Sports F1s coverage on race day will begin at 4.30am with all the build-up from Suzuka. How can you watch the Japanese GP on Sky Sports?All of Sky Sports F1s coverage from Japanese can be found on channel 408.Race Control, offering multiple driver cams, the pitlane channel, driver tracker and an up-to-date timing page, will be available on the Red Button as well as our Sky Sports for iPad service for those of you on the move, or you can follow the race by signing into Sky Go.Non-subscribers, meanwhile, will be able to watch the race on NOW TV from £6.99, no contract.And finally, our digital platforms - including the Sky Sports website and smartphone app - will have all the news and insights from Japan both before and after race day, with every session covered live in our live blog. Watch NOW TV Watch Sky Sports for ￡6.dddddddddddd9. No contract. Sunday, October 94.30am - Japanese GP Track Parade - Live!5am - Japanese GP Pit Lane - Live!6am - THE 2016 JAPANESE GP - LIVE!8.30am - The 2016 Japanese GP Paddock - Live!11.15am - Japanese GP highlights12.15pm - Teds Race NotebookF1 continues with the Japanese GP this weekend, live on Sky Sports F1. The race starts at 6am on Sunday. Watch the whole race weekend with a NOW TV week pass - £10.99, no contract Every race live in 2016 Sky Sports F1 brings you every race live in 2016. Fast and easy online upgrade - click here. You can watch Englands tour of Bangladesh, plus Premier League football and the Japan Grand Prix on Sky Sports. Upgrade now and enjoy three months at half price! Also See: F1 gossip column Get Sky Sports F1 ' ' '