World Cup Legends
‘THE PHENOMENON’ RONALDO
Ronaldo is the greatest striker of all time. Without injuries, he would’ve been the greatest player of all time. He would’ve made the world forget about me and Pele.
Diego Maradona
Childhood: Football over school
Ronaldo Nazario’s parents separate when he is 11. Football seizes him at a young age and it quickly becomes more important than school, to the dismay of his mother. His dream begins with the Social Ramos athletic club’s indoor futsal team. He leads the city youth league in scoring, achieving a remarkable feat of scoring 11 of his team’s 12 goals in one of the games.
Early years: Poverty thwarts dream
His goal is to play for Flamengo, the famous downtown Rio de Janeiro club where his idol, 1980s Brazilian national team star Zico, once played. He successfully tries out for the youth squad and is asked to come back, but he cannot afford the fare for the hour-long bus trip to practice.
1993: The Cruzeiro breakthrough
Ronaldo makes his professional debut with Cruzeiro as a 16-year-old in 1993. He scores 33 goals in 47 matches over two seasons and quickly establishes himself as one of Brazil’s brightest young talents.
1994: Teen world champion
At just 17, he is called up to Brazil’s squad. He watches from the sidelines as the likes of Romario and Bebeto help the Selecao win the World Cup. On Romario’s advice, he then joins PSV Eindhoven, dazzling Europe with his skills.
1996: The Barcelona phenomenon
Barcelona pay a world-record US$19.5 million (S$25.2 million) fee for the 19-year-old. He scores 47 goals in 49 games for Barca in the 1996-97 season. At 20, he becomes the youngest player to ever win the FIFA World Player of the Year.
1997: Inter Milan dominance
Inter Milan shatter the world transfer record again to sign him for US$27 million. He wins the FIFA World Player of the Year for the second time, and collects the Ballon d’Or.
1998: Heartbreak in Paris
Hours before the 1998 World Cup final against France, Ronaldo suffers convulsions in his hotel room, with room-mate Roberto Carlos raising the alarm. Though cleared to play, Ronaldo performs poorly in the final as Brazil lose 3-0.
1999: Marriage and fatherhood
He marries Brazilian footballer Milene Domingues. They welcome their first son the following year. The marriage ended in 2003.
1999-2001: Devastating knee injury
In November 1999, during a match against Lecce, he rips a tendon in his knee. During his first comeback against Lazio in April 2000, he suffers a complete rupture that his physiotherapist Nilton Petrone calls “the worst football injury” he’s ever seen. He misses the entire 2000-01 season.
2002: The ‘Three R’s’
Following his gruelling injury rehabilitation, Ronaldo makes a triumphant return at the 2002 World Cup, sporting his iconic hairstyle. He forms the legendary “Three R’s” attacking trio alongside fellow icons Rivaldo and Ronaldinho, leading their way to the final.
2002: Redemption
In the World Cup final against Germany, Ronaldo achieves football immortality. He scores both goals in their 2-0 victory, securing Brazil’s record fifth FIFA World Cup title. He wins the Golden Boot with eight goals to complete one of sports’ greatest comeback stories.
Life after World Cup victory
Following Brazil’s 2002 World Cup victory, Ronaldo joins Real Madrid and later plays for AC Milan and Corinthians before retiring in 2011. After football, he moves into sports business, acquiring controlling stakes in Real Valladolid in 2018 and Cruzeiro in 2021. He marries model Celina Locks in 2023, his third marriage.
Sources: WASHINGTON POST, SOCCERBIBLE, ESPN, FOURFOURTWO, THE GUARDIAN, MIRROR, SCMP
STRAITS TIMES ILLUSTRATION: CHNG CHOON HIONG
