“My life has always been a series of challenges and I’m psychologically-prepared but this is the biggest challenge of my life.” Ronaldo Nazario De Lima
Ronaldo Nazario De Lima is a Brazilian footballer known as “Fenomeno” (the phenomenon). He is considered one of the best players in football history. Once a great football player Zlatan Ibrahimovic stated Ronaldo was the best football player of all time.
“For me, Ronaldo is football, the way he moved. He’s the greatest player in history, without a doubt.” Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Introduction
Ronaldo is born September 22, 1976, in Itaguai, Brazil as the third child of Nélio Nazário de Lima Snr. and Sônia dos Santos Barata. He has a brother called Nélio Jr. When Ronaldo was eleven years old, his parents were separated. Ronaldo Nazario had a passion for football since early childhood. Ronaldo’s mother tried to prevent him from playing football, but he never stopped his love for football. He left the school to play football since he was eagerly waiting to mark his symbol on the football.
When he was young, Ronaldo played football in the street of his hometown, Bento Ribeiro. He had a dream to join the Flamengo football club. It is the most popular football club in Brazil. Unfortunately, the club declined to offer a place for Ronaldo since he did not come to practice regularly. At age 12, he joined the Social Ramos club as a twelve-year-old young player. It was the start of his football journey.
“The fear of losing is always there, but you mustn’t let that fear dull your desire to win.” Thiago Silva
Career
Ronaldo started to play for Social Ramos at age 12. He scored 166 goals in the first youth league he participated in on behalf of the Social Ramos club. Then he joined Sao Crustovao Football Club as a junior football player. In 1993, as a sixteen-year-old teenager, Ronaldo made his professional football debut for Cruzeiro. He made 44 goals for Cruzeiro in 47 matches. 1994 is one of the most amazing years of Ronaldo’s life. As an 18 years old boy, he was selected for the Brazil national team to play 1994 world cup. Even though Brazil won the 1994 world cup, he could not contribute to his team.
At age 18, he joined PSV Nederland club and earned 54 goals within 58 matches. In 1996 he joined Barcelona for the years 1996 and 1997 for $ 19.5 million. It was a world record fee in that era. Ronaldo scored 47 goals in 49 games in all tournaments in 1996-1997 and won the top scorer award in La Liga in 1997.
Brazilians addressed him as “Ronaldinho” (Little Ronaldo) at a young age because Ronaldo Rodrigues de Jesus played as an experienced football player. In 1997, Ronaldo won the best player award in the Copa America tournament. He left Barcelona after ending the two-year contract and joined Inter Milan with a five years agreement for a world-recording amount of $27 million. The Italian Footballers’ Association organizes a yearly award called Serie A Footballer of the Year. It gives to the best performer in the Serie A season. Ronaldo won this award in 1997.
Brazil national football team
Ronaldo played for Brazil in the 1998 FIFA world cup, and they lost the final to France. Starting in 1998, he has faced many injuries. Due to injuries, Ronaldo could not play more games in 1999- 2001. He overcame injuries and participated 2002 world cup. He decided to have a funny haircut to avoid the audience’s focus on his issues. Brazil won the 2002 FIFA world cup trophy, and Ronaldo achieved the Golden Boot for scoring the highest number of goals (8). Ronaldo dreamed about the football world cup and wanted to get what he lost in 1998.
Real Madrid bought Ronaldo in 2002 for €47 million. He played for Real Madrid for three years (2002-2005). Ronaldo contributed to Real Madrid winning La Liga in 2002 and 2003. In 2003 Real Madrid defeated Barcelona after 13 long year period. Ronaldo participated in the 2006 football world cup and won Bronze Boot in the season. Then he joined AC Milan in 2007 for €8.05 million. For AC Milan, Ronaldo scored seven goals in 14 games. Again, he suffered from severe injury and started weight gain due to hypothyroidism.
Ronaldo Nazario De Lima decided to retire from football in 2011, ending a fabulous era in football.
Achievements
- Ronaldo achieved many awards in his football career.
- FIFA world cup – 1994, 2002
- Golden Ball – 1998 football world cup
- Golden Boot – 2002 football world cup
- FIFA player of the year awards – 1996, 1997, and 2002
- Ballon d’Or award – 1997, 2002
Personal Life
Ronaldo married Milene Domingues in 1999, and she was his first wife. After they divorced, he engaged Daniella Cicarelli. Their relationship did not last a long time. Ronaldo has four children named Ronald Domingues Nazário de Lima, Alexander Nazário de Lima, Maria Sophia Nazário de Lima, and Maria Alice Nazário de Lima.
Net worth
According to the records, Ronaldo’s net worth is $160 Million. He earned from football and brand endorsements also. Now he owns a football team. In 1996, Ronaldo signed a contract with Nike for ten years. He has a lifetime brand endorsement with Nike. The deal was worth $180 million.
