Brazil legend and one-time Adelaide guest star Romario will retire when his contract with Vasco da Gama expires on March 30.
The 42-year-old striker told television station Globo there is "no chance" of renewing his contract with the team from Rio de Janeiro.
Romario is serving a four-month ban after testing positive for finasteride, a prohibited substance which the player attributed to a hair-loss treatment, after the clash against Palmeiras in the Campeonato Brasileiro in October.
The ban is likely to continue until April 5 meaning his career, which has spanned four decades, may already be over.
"My contract ends on March 30 and I hope to play if they let me," Romario said.
"I hope that the STJD (Brazilian Supreme Court of Sporting Justice) will be more sensible because of everything I achieved in my career.
"Sadly, if they don't reduce the ban, I will be retiring without playing again."
On February 14 the STJD will rule on the appeal presented by the former Barcelona, Valencia and PSV Eindhoven star's legal team.
Romario is serving a four-month ban after testing positive for finasteride, a prohibited substance which the player attributed to a hair-loss treatment, after the clash against Palmeiras in the Campeonato Brasileiro in October.
The ban is likely to continue until April 5 meaning his career, which has spanned four decades, may already be over.
"My contract ends on March 30 and I hope to play if they let me," Romario said.
"I hope that the STJD (Brazilian Supreme Court of Sporting Justice) will be more sensible because of everything I achieved in my career.
"Sadly, if they don't reduce the ban, I will be retiring without playing again."
On February 14 the STJD will rule on the appeal presented by the former Barcelona, Valencia and PSV Eindhoven star's legal team.
Copyright (c) Press Association
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