RONALDO

TEAMS PLAYED FOR
 
Corinthians (Brazil): 2009 –
AC Milan (Italy): 2007 – 2008
Real Madrid (Spain): 2002 – 2007
Inter Milan (Italy): 1997 – 2002
FC Barcelona (Spain): 1996 – 1997
PSV Eindhoven (Netherlands): 1994 – 1996
Cruzeiro (Brazil): 1993 -1994

BIO

Question - what does one need to become a famous soccer player?  Answer – you have to be born in Brazil, be a poor boy, receive a soccer ball as a gift from your parents and… practice, practice, practice.  In fact, practice until the ball becomes an extension of your leg. 
This is exactly what made Ronaldo Luis Nazario de Lima (known as simply, Ronaldo) a famous player.  Ronaldo was born on September 18, 1976 in the suburb of Rio-de-Janeiro.  The parents named him Ronaldo in honor of his mom’s doctor, Ronaldo Valiente.  When he turned four, his father bought him a cheap soccer ball as a gift.  It was his own ball, not borrowed from his brother or friends.  Ronaldo instantly fell in love with the round object.  While most children were falling asleep hugging stuffed animals, Ronaldo was hugging the soccer ball.  The boy kicked the ball around the house and would even yell “Pass, pass the ball…” in his sleep.  His parents didn’t really care as soccer was a big part of their life also. 
Ronaldo could not speak until he turned three but way before then he would watch his father play soccer with his friends.  When he turned five, he started playing himself and everyone could see that he had a God given talent.  Every free minute he tried to play soccer.  Ronaldo hated school, especially mathematics.  There were days when he would skip school just so he would kick the ball around with his friends who loved it as much.  His father was working for a telephone company and his mom sold ice-cream all day, so there was no one really around to check his homework, which actually made the boy happy as he continued to master his soccer skills in the streets.
When Ronaldo turned 12 he was asked to play on an indoor soccer team.  At first the coach made him a goalkeeper but he could not stay still and kept trying to play in the field.  Ronaldo played very well and then one day decided that this team was too small for him and decided to try out for Brazil’s famous team, Flamengo.  It took him many hours to get there by bus.  He tried out, but the team did not want to accept him.  The boy was very upset, got on the bus and went home.  Not too far form his house two older boys entered the bus and robbed Ronaldo of his watch.  Up to this day, if you ask Ronaldo about the worst story in his life, this will be it.

CLUB CAREER

One day when Ronaldo was 13 years old, after one of the games, he told his friends that one day he will be rich and famous.  He also gave himself the word that he would help his family out of poverty.  Ronaldo’s talent was noticed by scouts and he was asked to play for Brazil’s youth team in the South American tournament.  Ronaldo was ecstatic and asked the team to give him a pair of Nike soccer shoes, which he never had and dreamed about.  During that tournament Ronaldo became the best player and returning he signed a $50,000 contract with Cruzeiro.  A portion of his first paycheck Ronaldo spent on his first car – Volkswagen Golf.  The boy was really tired of taking a bus to the practice.  He also helped his mom move out of the poor neighborhood and eventually bought her a house.  His parents were divorced by then but he did not forget the sacrifices his father made for him when he was little.  He bought his father a house also and helped financially all his family.
When Ronaldo turned 18 he signed his first professional contract with a European team – PSV from Holland.  Holland was a lot different than Brazil.  This is where he saw snow for the first time.  He hated it.  He also hated food, it was too plain comparing to Brazilian.  While at PSV he becomes the best scorer and after two years signs a contract with Spanish club Barcelona for 20 million dollars.  By this time he is one of the soccer idols in the world.  He signs an endorsement with Nike, which is amazing considering Nike shoes was his childhood dream.  In Spain he also becomes the best player and scores a lot of goals.  In 1997 he signs a contract with Inter form Italy for… 77 million dollars.  His stakes are rising, just as his income.  By now Ronaldo has reached what he always wanted, money and fame.  He is the best player in the world, second time in a row. 
There came Real Madrid and AC Milan.  After a serious knee injury at one of the games, Ronaldo was forced to move to Brazil for treatment. While recovering from the injury Ronaldo was training with Flamengo and signed a one year contract with Cruzeiro.  As of 2009 his contract is up for renewal.  Why not?  He is one of the best players on the planet and he’s still got it!

NATIONAL TEAM CAREER
       
Ronaldo went to the World Cup in the USA in 1994 as a 17-year old but didn’t play although was awarded the gold medal.  In 1996 and 1997 he was voted the best player on the planet, two times in a row.  The next World Cup in France, 1998 was not very successful for Ronaldo.  He did perform well by scoring 4 goals and adding 3 assists.  However, before the final game he had a convulsive fit. At first Ronaldo was removed from the starting lineup 72 minutes before the match, but he requested to play and was later reinstated by coach Mario Zagalo.  Ronaldo did not perform well and he was injured in a collision with French goalkeeper Fabien Barthez.  Brazil lost the final 0:3 against France.  After the game, the experts concluded that he should not have played as he has not chance to recover from the fit to perform at 100%.
2002 World Cup in Korea/Japan was more successful for Ronaldo.  He once again led his team to the tournament final where Brazil beat Germany 2:0 and Ronaldo scored both goals.           

PERSONAL INFO

       

Ronaldo loves women and has been in many relationships with them.  At one point he was married to Milene Domingues, Brazilian female soccer player.  The marriage lasted 4 years and the couple has a son, Ronald. Ronaldo is currently in a relationship with Maria Beatriz Antony with whom he has a daughter, Maria.  The family lives in San Paolo, Brazil. 

Ronaldo is co-owner of Brazilian A1 race team.

TITLES AND AWARDS

Cruzeiro

Campeonato Mineiro: 1994

PSV Eindhoven

Dutch Cup: 1996

FC Barcelona

Spanish Super Cup: 1996

UEFA Cup Winners Cup: 1997

Spanish Cup: 1997

Inter Milan

UEFA Cup: 1998

Real Madrid

La Liga: 2003, 2007

Spanish Super Cup: 2003

Intercontinental Cup: 2002

Corintians

Campeonato Paulista: 2009

Brazil Cup: 2009

International

FIFA World Cup (winner): 1994, 2002

Copa America: 1997, 1999

FIFA Confederations Cup: 1997

Summer Olympics (bronze medal): 1996

FIFA World Player of the Year: 1996, 1997, 2002

Ballon D’Or: 1997, 2002

FIFA 100

FIFA World Cup all time scoring leader (as of 2009)