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| RONALDO
Ronaldo Luíz Nazário de Lima (born September 22, 1976), simply known as Ronaldo, plays forward for Brazil and Real Madrid. He is arguably the best striker to play soccer after Pelé. He has been nicknamed o fenômeno (the "phenomenon").
Beginning of the Phenomenon
Ronaldo's soccer skills were first recognized when he was fourteen. He was recommended to the Brazil Youth Team by World Cup winner Jairzinho, who also arranged for his own former club, Cruzeiro Esporte Clube, to sign the boy when he was old enough for a professional contract.
In 1993, aged sixteen, Ronaldo had already scored 59 goals in 57 matches for Brazil's under-17 squad.
Europe
By 1994 he had joined the national senior squad, although he did not actually play in the 1994 World Cup in the USA.
Ronaldo's European career began when he joined Dutch club PSV Eindhoven for the 1994-1995 season. He became the Dutch top scorer, and attracted the attention of Spain's FC Barcelona. He played for Barça in the 1996-1997 Season, scoring 34 goals in 37 appearances; then he transferred to Inter Milan the following year.
Low Point
Voted the world's best player in 1996 and 1997, he had a comparatively disappointing performance during the 1998 World Cup, scoring only four goals. Brazil lost the final to the hosts France after he was ill the night before. Some questioned the decision to play Ronaldo in the final because of the possible physiological aftereffects of the illness. It began nearly four years of career nightmares for the Brazilian striker.
A year later, he severely injured his right knee and was out of the game for several months. During his first comeback in 2000, he managed to play a few minutes during a league game against S.S. Lazio before injuring his knee for a second time.
Comeback
After two operations and twenty months of rehabilitation, Ronaldo managed a comeback during the 2002 FIFA World Cup. He claimed the Golden Boot by scoring 8 goals during the tournament (and tied with Pelé for a Brazilian record 12 total World Cup goals), leading Brazil to win an unprecedented fifth World Championship! In 2002, he was awarded the title of the World's Best Soccer Player for the third time, and transferred from Inter Milan to Real Madrid after frequent disputes with Inter Milan coach Hector Cuper.
On June 2, 2004, Ronaldo scored an unusual hat-trick for Brazil against archrivals Argentina in a CONMEBOL qualifier for the 2006 World Cup. He scored all of Brazil's goals in a 3-1 win from penalties.
Teams and clubs
Brazil National Soccer Team
March 1994 -
Debut against Argentina
Social Ramos Club 1990/91
São Cristovão 1991-1993
Cruzeiro Belo Horizonte 1993/94
PSV Eindhoven 1994-1996
FC Barcelona 1996/97
Inter Milan 1997-2002
Real Madrid 2002-
Honors and awards
FIFA World Player of the Year: 1996, 1997, 2002
European Footballer of the Year: 1997, 2002
FIFA World Cup:
2002 Golden Boot - 8 goals
2002 - Winner
1994 - Winner
UEFA Cup: 1998
Cup Winners' Cup: 1997
Dutch Cup: 1996
La Liga - Primera División Champions: 2003
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