RUUD Van Nistelrooy calls it quits

RUUD Van Nistelrooy has retired from professional soccer, ending a stellar career that included stints with Manchester United and Real Madrid. "Yesterday I played my last match as a professional,” the 35-year-old Malaga player told a news conference. "I think the moment has come for me to stop playing football - I have reached my physical limit," the Dutchman added. "But there could be no better way to say goodbye than this, in a euphoric moment for the club," which on Sunday won a place in next season's Champion's League with a fourth-place finish in Spain's La Liga. During his two-decade career, Van Nistelrooy was crowned top scorer in three countries -- The Netherlands, England and Spain. With 60 goals in the Champions League, he remains that competition's second-highest scorer, behind Raul of Spain. He played for five seasons with Manchester United, winning the English league once with them, and then played a part in two Liga titles during four seasons with Real Madrid. He moved to Malaga last year after a two-season stint with Hamburg.