Full Name
Ronaldo Luis Nazario de Lima
Position
Striker
Born
22 September 1976
Country
Brazil
Clubs
Cruzeiro (Brazil)
PSV (Holland)
Barcelona (Spain)
Inter Milan (Italy)
Real Madrid (Spain)
AC Milan (Italy)
Corinthians (Brazil)
Professional Career
1993-2011
International Caps/Goals
97 caps/62 goals
Honours
1 Brazilian League title, 1 Brazilian Cup (Cruzeiro)
1 Dutch Cup (PSV)
2 Spanish La Liga title, 1 Spanish Super Cup (Real Madrid)
1 Spanish Cup, 1 Spanish Super Cup (Barcelona)
1 UEFA Cup, 1 Cup Winners Cup (Inter Milan)
1 Intercontinental Cup (Real Madrid)
1994/2002 FIFA World Cup (Brazil)
1997/1999 Copa America (Brazil)
1997 Confederation Cup (Brazil)
1997/2002 Ballon d’Or
1996/1997/2002 FIFA World Player of the Year
Ronaldo, nicknamed II Fenomeno (The Phenomenon), was one of the best strikers the world has ever seen. He burst into the football scene at Cruzeiro at only 16, wowing the fans with his amazing pace, excellent dribbling skills and powerful shots with either foot. He earned a move to Europe in 1994, and the world was just about to witness the rise of a superstar.
Ronaldo was the only player to have played for Barcelona and Real Madrid, and Inter Milan and AC Milan, Spain and Italy’s bitter rivaling football clubs. He also smashed two transfer fee records within two seasons – a £13.2 million transfer from PSV to Barcelona in 1996, and then £27 million to Inter Milan a year later. After winning his second World Cup in 2002, proving his recovery from knee injuries in a splendid display on the world’s biggest tournament, Ronaldo joined Real Madrid as part of its Galacticos team.
Although his career would later be bothered by persistent injuries, overweight problem and a lack of discipline in his personal life, Ronaldo nevertheless boasted an incredible goalscoring career, having scored a total of 293 goals in 410 appearances for clubs and international; that’s one goal every 1.4 game.
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