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)

RAUL GONZALEZ

TEAMS PLAYED FOR
 
Real Madrid (Spain): 1994 - present

BIO

Raul Gonzalez, or simply Raul, was born on June 27, 1977 in Madrid, Spain.  Today, Raul is widely seen as one of the best strikers in the world.  Everyone is looking to achieve a balance in their lives, be it financial, professional or personal stability.  Success that Raul has achieved today is somehow balancing his poor past.  Having exchanged his parent’s tiny house for a huge villa in one of the most prestigious parts of Madrid, he could not stop talking to the reporters about how big his bedroom was.  Now he was happy as he could turn on the electricity whenever he wanted without being scolded by his father.
Raul lived in the family of five including his mother, father, a brother and a sister.  Most of Raul’s young life his family was trying to make the end meet living off his father electrician’s small salary.  Because of this, his parents could not pay to have him sent to the soccer academy, which was the boy’s dream.  Even when he did try out for a kid’s team, the coaches did not accept him saying that he was too small and skinny.  The boy gave himself a word, that no matter what, he will gain weight even though his parents could not afford much food.
Time went by and scouts started noticing Raul on the field while playing for children’s teams.  His idol was Maradona and he tried to imitate him on the field.  As a result, he was able to perform miracles with the ball which sometimes stunned even his fellow players.  Raul was invited to play for Atletico Madrid youth team, however that didn’t last long because the youth team club was closed due to the financial problems.
The boy did not lose hope and decided to try out for Atletico city rivals, one of the greatest teams in the world, Real Madrid.  The first game Raul played for Real Madrid youth team was against Alcala in 1992.  Real won the game 5:0 without any difficulties and Raul scored one of the goals which happened to be his first goal for the team.  Raul barely remembers that game, but his youth coach Antonio Kirogi remembers it very well: “It seems like from the very beginning of his career at Real, he became the team leader”, says the coach.  “I knew right then and there that this 15 year old boy has a potential to be a great player.  Although he was better than most of his fellow players, he never made it known and always was humble to everyone around him”.   

CLUB CAREER

The first game for Real Madrid Raul played on October 29^th, 1994 against Saragosa.  The day before the game, Jorge Valdano, Real coach at the time told Raul: “Don’t pass out but tomorrow will be your first game”.  The coach expected to see fear and apprehension in boy’s eyes, but saw sheer determination and confidence. 
After that game Raul became one of the main players on the team.  Largely because of his efforts and goal scoring ability, Real Madrid once again became one of the greatest teams in the world by winning the Champions League and Intercontinental Cup.   
Raul’s fame was growing… until one day when he stopped scoring.  It was really strange and no one could explain why.  People started talking about Raul’s lack of commitment to the team and that he wasn’t trying hard any more.  Raul stopped giving interviews and talking to the fans.  He started spending more and more time at night clubs with questionable friends.  According to rumors, he started using alcohol and drugs.  To overcome his depression, Raul hired psychologists… nothing helped.  Until one day when he met Mamen Sanz, a Spanish model.  Their attraction was instant and the player completely changed.  He seemed to grow up overnight, got his confidence back.  As a result he started playing even better than before and returned to his high scoring days.  This is where his signature goal celebration comes from.  After scoring each goal, Raul kisses his ring finger as a sign of gratitude to his wife.  

NATIONAL TEAM CAREER

       

Raúl began his rise in the international scene with the youth teams and was chosen to represent Spain at the 1995 FIFA Youth World Cup.  He has scored a national record 44 goals in 102 caps for Spain.  Raul participated in three World Cups – 1998, 2002 and 2006 along with Euro 2000 and 2004.  He was not chosen to play for Spain during 2008 Euro tournament which the team won

PERSONAL INFO

Raul is very aggressive on the field but is complete opposite in real life.  He is shy and quiet and you will hardly ever find any information on him in tabloids.  All his spare time he likes to spend with his family, doing “family things”.  He is very modest and you will not find any fancy cars in his garage.  He has a lot of friends, likes movies, books and hunting. Raul likes to give out autographs.  One time Michael Jordan asked for Raul’s autograph through their common friends.  Raul though it was a joke, but when he figure it out, he signed his Real Madrid jersey” To Michael Jordan, the greatest athlete of all times.  Your humble fan, Raul Gonzalez”

       

TITLES AND AWARDS

Real Madrid

La Liga: 1995, 1997, 2001, 2003, 2007, 2008

Spanish Super Cup: 1997, 2001, 2003, 2008

UEFA Champions League: 1998, 2000, 2002

UEFA Super Cup: 2002

Intercontinental Cup: 1998, 2002

All time top scorer as of 2009

International

FIFA World Player of the Year (third place): 2001

UEFA Player of the Year (second place): 2001

FIFA 100

GABRIEL BATISTUTA

lTEAMS PLAYED FOR
 
Al Arabi (Qatar): 2003 – 2005
Inter Milan (Italy): 2003
Roma (Italy): 2000 – 2003
Fiorentina (Italy): 1991 – 2000
Boca Juniors (Argentina): 1990 – 1991
River Plate (Argentina): 1989 – 1990
Newell’s Old Boys (Argentina): 1988 - 1989

BIO

Gabriel Omar Batistuta will always be one of the best strikers in the history of soccer.  He is rich, good looking and famous.  Men envy him, women want him.  But, just like many others, he grew up poor.  Just like many others, Gabriel experienced tragedies and uncertainties, which he withstood with honor.  He never gave up and always lived to the fullest.  He embraced the unknown as a challenge.  Everything he has reached in his life is due to his hard work and perseverance.   
Batistuta was born on February 1, 1969 in Avellaneda, Argentina.  He has three younger sisters.  On one hand, his early childhood went by under a strict supervision of his father, Osmar, the slaughterhouse worker.  On another hand, his early life was always supported by the love given to him by his mother Gloria with whom he always had a close relationship. 
From the very age Gabriel, or “el gringo” as he was called by his friends due to his fair skin color which is rare for an Argentine, was interested in two things: chasing around a soccer ball and fishing.  According to his words, Batistuta never really saw himself playing soccer.  His favorite sports was basketball.  He never dreamed about becoming a professional soccer player or even thought that he would become famous.  His life is full of difficulties, obstacles and wasted chances, tears and smiles, and, of course, unbelievable moments on the soccer field. 
It was a pure chance that Gabriel became a soccer player.  In January 1987 a representative from Newell’s Old Boys literally kidnapped Batistuta from his town and took him to the club.  The boy at that moment didn’t realize that his father had given Newell’s Old Boys an agreement to have his son tried out for the team.  It was time for Bati to spread the wings as Osmar put it.
  
CLUB CAREER

Gabriel Batistuta debuted in Argentine championship in the game against Saint Martin.  However, the real debut took place three days later, when he came onto the field wearing no 9 on his back instead of an injured striker in Copa Libertadores against San Lorenzo.  Batistuta did not score in that game, but without a doubt he left his heart on the field.  When he woke up the next morning, the first thing he saw was the newspaper article titled: “Batistuta – new star is born”.
After Newell’s Batistuta transfers to River Plate and then eventually to Boca Juniors, the team that will remain in his heart forever. 
During his time at River Plate, Batistuta was selected to be a part of the youth “Il Deportive” team traveling to Europe to play in youth tournaments.  In his first game against CSKA Sofia he scored a hat trick, however in the next game, Batistuta missed his penalty in a shootout and “Deportive” were knocked out.  The team had a free day and the coach arranged for the boys to attend a Serie A game between Fiorentina and AC Milan.  Young Gabriel was speechless seeing the atmosphere and love the fans were giving their teams.  At that moment he had no idea that two years later this love and affection of the Fiorentina fans will belong only to him.
After signing a contract for Fiorentina in 1991, Batistuta (or Batigol as the fans started calling him) played in 269 games for the team and became one of the most successful players in club history.  After playing in Florence for 9 years, Batistuta was transferred to Roma with whom he won his first major title, the Scudetto.  After Roma Gabriel continued his trade in Qatar, where he scored practically in every game (30 goals in 22 games).  Gabriel Batistuta retired in 2005

NATIONAL TEAM CAREER

       

The first game for the national team, Gabriel Batistuta played on March 27, 1991 in a friendly game against Brazil. Argentine national team in early 90’s was very strong.  By 1991, they had not lost in 33 games.  The team had a lot of famous players who were wither playing in Italy or were going to play there: Ruggeri, Goicoechea, Caniggia and Basile.  The team also had Kempes and Passarella who won 1978 World Cup and of course Diego Maradona who won the tournament in 1986.
The first tournament Batistuta won was Copa America 1991.  Not only that, but during that tournament he became the best scorer with six goals. 
The next major tournament where Argentina took part was the 1994 World Cup in the USA.  After Fiorentina being relegated to Serie B, Batistuta arrived in the US full of energy and optimism.  The first game Argentina won with style against Greece 4:0.  Gabriel scored a hat trick and Maradona added the forth goal.  The second game against Nigeria was also won – 2:0  However, the atmosphere in the team changed drastically when Diego Maradona failed the drug test after this game.  He was accused of having ephedrine in his system but the team refused to believe it.  As a result of Maradona’s suspension, the team has lost it’s tactical picture and got knocked out of the competition by Romania who won in the next round 3:2.
The team began to change and the new coach, Daniel Passarella, did not see Batistuta having a place on the team.  In fact, Batistuta did not play for Argentina for almost a year.  However, when he came back a year later, he continued to score as he did before.  At that time he passed Diego Maradona as the highest scorer in the history of Argentina. 

PERSONAL INFO

       

Gabriel Batistuta is married to his childhood sweetheart Irene and they have three sons Thiago, Lucas and Joaquin.  Currently Batistuta lives in Perth, Australia and is not involved in soccer.

TITLES AND AWARDS

Roma

Serie A: 2001

Supercoppa Italiana: 2001

Fiorentina

Supercoppa Italiana: 1996

Coppa Italiana: 1996

Serie A Top Scorer: 1995

International

Copa America: 1991, 1993

Confederations Cup: 1992

FIFA World Player of the Year (third place): 1999

FIFA 100