Ronaldo (Brazilian footballer)

Ronaldo (Brazilian footballer)
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Name	Ronaldo
Caption	Ronaldo playing for Brazil at the 2002 FIFA World Cup
Fullname	Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima
Birth date	18 September 1976
Birth place	Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Height	1.83 m
Position	Striker
Years1	1993–1994
Clubs1	Cruzeiro
Caps1	14
Goals1	12
Years2	1994–1996
Clubs2	PSV Eindhoven
Caps2	46
Goals2	42
Years3	1996–1997
Clubs3	FC Barcelona
Caps3	37
Goals3	34
Years4	1997–2002
Clubs4	Inter Milan
Caps4	68
Goals4	49
Years5	2002–2007
Clubs5	Real Madrid
Caps5	127
Goals5	83
Years6	2007–2008
Clubs6	A.C. Milan
Caps6	20
Years7	2009–2011
Clubs7	Corinthians
Caps7	31
Goals7	18
Nationalyears1	1994–2011
Nationalteam1	Brazil
Nationalcaps1	98
Nationalgoals1	62

Ronaldo (Brazilian footballer) is a retired Brazilian professional footballer widely regarded as one of the greatest strikers in the history of the sport. Born Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima, his explosive pace, clinical finishing, and dribbling prowess earned him the nickname "O Fenômeno" (The Phenomenon). He is celebrated for his success with top European clubs like FC Barcelona, Inter Milan, and Real Madrid, and for leading the Brazil national football team to victory in the 2002 FIFA World Cup.

Early life and career

Born in the Rio de Janeiro neighborhood of Bento Ribeiro, Ronaldo began his youth career with the local club Social Ramos Club before joining São Cristóvão de Futebol e Regatas. His prodigious talent was quickly recognized, leading to a move to the prestigious Cruzeiro Esporte Clube in Belo Horizonte in 1993. At Cruzeiro, he made an immediate impact, helping the team win the Copa do Brasil in his debut season and attracting the attention of European scouts with his remarkable goal-scoring rate.

Club career

Ronaldo's European career began in 1994 with a transfer to Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven, where he won the KNVB Cup and was the Eredivisie's top scorer. A world-record move to FC Barcelona followed in 1996, where he enjoyed a spectacular season, winning the Copa del Rey, the Supercopa de España, and the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, while also receiving the FIFA World Player of the Year award. In 1997, he transferred to Inter Milan for another record fee, winning the UEFA Cup and a second FIFA World Player of the Year honor. After a period marred by serious knee injuries, he moved to Real Madrid in 2002, winning the La Liga title and the Intercontinental Cup. Later spells at A.C. Milan and a return to Brazil with Corinthians, where he won the Campeonato Paulista and the Copa do Brasil, concluded his playing days.

International career

Ronaldo made his debut for the Brazil national football team in 1994 and was part of the squad that won the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the United States, though he did not play. He was a key figure at the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France, finishing as the tournament's second-top scorer before Brazil's loss in the final to the host nation. His crowning achievement came at the 2002 FIFA World Cup in South Korea and Japan, where his eight goals, including two in the final against Germany, secured the trophy and earned him the Golden Boot. He also played in the 2006 FIFA World Cup, becoming the tournament's all-time leading scorer at the time, and won the Copa América twice (1997, 1999) and the FIFA Confederations Cup in 1997.

Style of play and legacy

Renowned for his blistering acceleration, powerful runs, and exceptional technical skill, Ronaldo was a complete forward capable of scoring from any situation. His ability to beat defenders with pace and dribbling, combined with a cool composure in front of goal, defined his play. His legacy is cemented by numerous individual accolades, including three FIFA World Player of the Year awards and two Ballon d'Or prizes. He is often cited as a primary influence for a generation of strikers and is remembered for his remarkable comeback from multiple career-threatening knee injuries to reclaim his status as a world-class player.

Personal life

Outside of football, Ronaldo has been involved in various business ventures and has a well-documented personal life. He has been married multiple times and has four children. His philanthropic efforts include work with the United Nations Development Programme and he has served as a Goodwill Ambassador. Ronaldo has also been open about his struggles with hypothyroidism and his battles with weight gain, particularly after his retirement from professional play.

Post-playing career

Since retiring in 2011, Ronaldo has become a prominent businessman and football executive. He is the majority owner of the Spanish club Real Valladolid, which he purchased in 2018, and the Brazilian club Cruzeiro Esporte Clube, acquiring a controlling stake in 2021. He has also worked as a television pundit for major networks like BBC Sport and Fox Sports during coverage of events like the FIFA World Cup. In 2023, he was appointed chairman of the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A club Cruzeiro Esporte Clube.

Category:Brazilian footballers Category:FIFA World Cup winners