Overview

Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima, commonly known as Ronaldo or “O Fenômeno,” is a retired Brazilian footballer widely regarded as one of the greatest strikers in the history of the sport. Born on September 18, 1976, in Rio de Janeiro, Ronaldo’s career was marked by his exceptional skill, speed, and finishing ability. He began his professional career with Cruzeiro in Brazil before making a significant impact in Europe with clubs like PSV Eindhoven, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, AC Milan, and Corinthians.

Ronaldo won numerous individual accolades, including three FIFA World Player of the Year awards (1996, 1997, 2002) and two Ballon d’Or awards (1997, 2002). His club achievements include winning league titles in Spain and Italy, as well as the UEFA Cup with Inter Milan. Despite suffering multiple severe injuries, particularly knee injuries, Ronaldo made remarkable comebacks, most notably leading Brazil to victory in the 2002 FIFA World Cup, where he scored eight goals, including two in the final against Germany. He also won the Golden Shoe as the tournament’s top scorer.

Ronaldo’s international career includes two FIFA World Cup wins (1994, 2002) and a runner-up finish in 1998. He scored 62 goals in 98 appearances for Brazil, making him one of the country’s top scorers. His career, however, was also marked by struggles with injuries and weight issues, which eventually led to his retirement in 2011.