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| Ronaldo Nazário | |
|---|---|
| Name | Ronaldo Nazário |
| Fullname | Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima |
| Birth date | 1976-09-18 |
| Birth place | Rio de Janeiro |
| Height | 1.83 m |
| Position | Striker |
| Youthyears1 | 1985–1989 |
| Youthclubs1 | Social Ramos |
| Youthyears2 | 1989–1993 |
| Youthclubs2 | Cruzeiro |
| Years1 | 1993–1994 |
| Clubs1 | Cruzeiro |
| Years2 | 1994–1996 |
| Clubs2 | PSV |
| Years3 | 1996–1997 |
| Clubs3 | Barcelona |
| Years4 | 1997–2002 |
| Clubs4 | Inter Milan |
| Years5 | 2002–2007 |
| Clubs5 | Real Madrid |
| Years6 | 2007–2008 |
| Clubs6 | AC Milan |
| Years7 | 2009–2011 |
| Clubs7 | Corinthians |
| Nationalyears1 | 1994–2011 |
| Nationalteam1 | Brazil |
Ronaldo Nazário (born 18 September 1976) is a Brazilian former professional football striker widely regarded as one of the greatest forwards in association football history. He achieved global prominence with standout performances for Cruzeiro, PSV, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, AC Milan, and Corinthians, and starred for the Brazil national team at multiple FIFA World Cup tournaments. Renowned for explosive acceleration, technical skill, and clinical finishing, he won major individual awards including the Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year.
Ronaldo was born in Rio de Janeiro and raised in Vila do João in the favelas of Galeão, where he began playing street football alongside peers influenced by figures like Pelé, Zico, and Jairzinho. He played youth football for Social Ramos before joining the youth setup at Cruzeiro in Belo Horizonte, where coaches noted his speed compared with contemporaries such as Bebeto, Romário, and Dunga. At Cruzeiro he impressed in domestic tournaments including encounters against clubs like Fluminense FC, Botafogo, and Grêmio, attracting attention from European scouts including representatives of PSV Eindhoven and Barcelona.
After breakthrough seasons at Cruzeiro that featured goals against rivals in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, Ronaldo moved to PSV Eindhoven in the Eredivisie where he adapted to European competition in matches versus Ajax and Feyenoord. His prolific scoring prompted a transfer to Barcelona in La Liga, where under managers like Bobby Robson he formed memorable attacking partnerships with players such as Rivaldo, Luis Figo, and Hristo Stoichkov. A record move took him to Inter Milan in Serie A, where he starred alongside teammates like Christian Vieri and came up against defenders from AC Milan and Juventus. Subsequent transfer to Real Madrid placed him in the Galácticos era with teammates Zinedine Zidane, Raúl, and Luis Figo, competing in the UEFA Champions League and domestic fixtures against Atlético Madrid and Valencia. Later spells at AC Milan and a return to Brazil with Corinthians concluded his club career, where he won trophies including the Copa Libertadores qualification and domestic honours.
Ronaldo debuted for Brazil as a teenager and was a key figure at the 1994 FIFA World Cup squad selection process, later starring at the 1998 FIFA World Cup final alongside players like Rivaldo, Denílson, and Cafu. He achieved tournament success at the 2002 FIFA World Cup with teammates Rivaldo and Kaká's era predecessors, winning the FIFA World Cup and receiving the Golden Boot. Across Copa América tournaments— including editions that featured Colombia and Argentina rivals—he played pivotal roles and set scoring records alongside contemporaries Roberto Carlos and Juninho Pernambucano. His international career included memorable matches at venues like Stade de France and against opponents such as Germany and Netherlands.
Ronaldo's playing style combined explosive sprinting, low center of gravity, dribbling ability, and finishing technique that drew comparisons to Pelé, Garrincha, and Maradona. Analysts from outlets such as France Football and FIFA praised his individual talent; managers including Bobby Robson, Héctor Cúper, and Vicente del Bosque highlighted his tactical intelligence and positional sense against defensive systems deployed by clubs like Juventus and AC Milan. Critics and commentators referencing matches in La Liga, Serie A, and international fixtures debated his long-term physical management, while pundits from BBC Sport, The Guardian, and L'Équipe ranked him among all-time greats alongside Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Ronaldo suffered significant knee injuries during his career, including ligament damage and ruptures that required surgeries performed by medical teams associated with clubs like Inter Milan and Real Madrid. His rehabilitation involved specialists who had worked with athletes from UEFA competitions and international tournaments. Despite setbacks that ruled him out of events such as parts of domestic seasons and international competitions, he made high-profile comebacks culminating in top-level performances at the 2002 FIFA World Cup and later scoring form for Real Madrid and Corinthians.
Off the pitch, Ronaldo has been involved in business ventures and ownership roles including investment in Real Valladolid and connections to sporting administration in Brazil. His personal life has included relationships and family matters reported in media outlets such as ESPN, Globo, and Marca, alongside philanthropic efforts that engaged organisations like UNICEF and charitable projects in Rio de Janeiro. He has been subject to legal and financial reporting in the press while maintaining profile appearances at ceremonies such as the Ballon d'Or and FIFA Ballon d'Or awards.
Ronaldo's legacy is reflected in individual honours like multiple FIFA World Player of the Year awards, the Ballon d'Or, and tournament awards including the FIFA World Cup Golden Boot. He features in lists compiled by IFFHS, FIFA, and major sports media including FourFourTwo and Bleacher Report, and is commemorated in halls of fame alongside legends such as Pelé and Diego Maradona. Club and international trophies in his cabinet include Copa América medals, domestic league titles, and contributions to Brazil's FIFA World Cup victories. His influence persists across generations of forwards trained in academies like Santos FC and Flamengo, inspiring players such as Ronaldinho, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappé.
Category:Brazilian footballers Category:1976 births Category:Living people