Brazilian soccer legend Ronaldo has been handed a new title... as football's biggest slob.
The Brazilian international has been enrolled in a hall of shame for developing a Homer Simpson-style waistline.
He tops the list of football's fattest current players in a poll aimed at identifying the soccer stars who have piled on most excess weight.
He was awarded the title by the website www.currentbody.com whose members voted the South American striker as the player most notably losing the "battle of the bulge".
The website's co-founder Laurence Newman, said: "As the start of the World Cup approaches, we’re reminded of the fitness levels footballers need to achieve to be match fit.
"As footballers reach the end of their careers, it can be hard to maintain the same level of fitness as their younger team mates.
"In retirement it can be even harder to fight the flab when you are no longer made to train everyday. It takes a lot of self-motivation and discipline to keep to your own exercise regime."
Ronaldo - full name Luis Nazario de Lima - last featured in the Brazil team in the 2006 World Cup.
He has announced that he will retire from his playing career with the Brazilian team Corinthians at the end of its 2011 season.
Other flabby favourites making it into the countdown include current Argentina manager Diego Maradona and former Swedish international Tomas Brolin.
Ex-Liverpool FC players are also noted for piling on the pounds in retirement, with Micky Quinn, Neil Ruddock, Jan Molby and John Barnes all ranking in a list of fattest retired players.
Newman added: "To slow down the effects of a dramatic reduction in exercise, footballers need to maintain a good level of fitness whilst still eating a balanced diet.
"Exercising for 30 minutes three to four times per week will help improve the fitness of heart and lungs and can prevent heart disease."
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