|
Ronaldo Luiz Nazario de Lima (b.September 22, 1976), simply known as Ronaldo, is a Brazilian footballer who is widely considered to be one of the best strikers of all times. He earned the nickname of o fenômeno (the phenomenon). Ronaldo’s exceptional talent was first recognized when he was fourteen by Brazilian World Cup winner Jairzinho, who was coaching the amateur side Sao Cristovao. Jairzinho quickly recommended Ronaldo to the Brazil youth team and also ensured that he signed for his own former club, Cruzeiro Esporte Clube, when he was old enough for a professional contract.
In 1993, aged sixteen, Ronaldo had already scored 59 goals in 57 matches for Brazil’s under-17 squad. By 1994 he had joined the squad of the national team, but didn’t get to play a single minute on the pitch of the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the USA.
In 1996–1997, Ronaldo played arguably his best season, scoring numerous spectacular goals for FC Barcelona. One of them, a solo goal against Compostela, is considered one of the most amazing goals in football.
Voted the World’s best player in 1996 and 1997, he had a disappointing performance during the 1998 World Cup, scoring only four goals, and Brazil lost the final to the hosts France after he suffered a mysterious fit the night before. The circumstances of the fit remain unclear and a source of speculation.
He then moved to a club he considered more promising and more respected: Inter Milan. Fans all over the world now began to follow the club and Ronaldo’s fame continued to grow.
In April 1999, Ronaldo married Milene Domingues. The marriage lasted four years and ended in a divorce.
A year later, he severely injured his right knee and was out of the game for several months. During his first comeback in 2000, he managed to play a few minutes during a league game against Lazio before injuring his knee for a second time.
After two operations and twenty months of rehabilitation, Ronaldo managed a comeback during the 2002 FIFA World Cup. He claimed the Golden Boot by scoring 8 goals during the tournament (and tied with Pelé for a Brazilian record 12 total World Cup goals), leading Brazil to win an unprecedented fifth World Championship. In 2002, he was awarded the title of the World’s best soccer player for the third time, and transferred from Inter Milan to Real Madrid after frequent disputes with Inter Milan coach Hector Cuper.
On June 2, 2004, Ronaldo scored an unusual hat-trick for Brazil against archrivals Argentina in a CONMEBOL qualifier for the 2006 World Cup. He scored all of Brazil’s goals in a 3-1 win from penalties.
As of 2004, Ronaldo is still playing football, and is still considered one of the world’s best strikers.
In February 2005 he married Brazilian model and MTV vj Daniela Cicarelli. One month later she got pregnant but, unfortunately, she lost her baby. In the following month they separated.
Teams and clubs
Brazil national football team
March 1994 -
Debut against Argentina
Social Ramos Club 1990/91
Sao Cristovao 1991-1993
Cruzeiro Belo Horizonte 1993/94
PSV Eindhoven 1994-1996
FC Barcelona 1996/97
Inter Milan 1997-2002
Real Madrid 2002-
Honors and awards
FIFA World Player of the Year: 1996, 1997, 2002
European Footballer of the Year: 1997, 2002
FIFA World Cup
2002 Golden Boot – 8 goals
2002 – Winner
1994 – Winner
UEFA Cup: 1998
Cup Winners’ Cup: 1997
Dutch Cup: 1996
La Liga – Primera División champions: 2003
Preceded by:
Matthias Sammer European Footballer of the Year
1997 Succeeded by:
Zinedine Zidane
Preceded by:
Michael Owen European Footballer of the Year
2002 Succeeded by:
Pavel Nedved
Preceded by:
George Weah FIFA World Player of the Year
1996 Succeeded by:
retained
Preceded by:
current holder FIFA World Player of the Year
1997 Succeeded by:
Zinedine Zidane
Preceded by:
Luis Figo FIFA World Player of the Year
2002 Succeeded by:
Zinedine Zidane
|
| 
| 
