RONALDO THE LEGEND!!!

By Stefan Coerts

Ronaldo, Real Madrid

 

Player Details:

 

Name: Ronaldo Luiz Nazario de Lima

Date Of Birth: September 18, 1976

Place Of Birth: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Position: Attacker

Clubs: Cruzeiro, PSV, Barcelona, Inter, Real Madrid, Milan, Corinthians

International: Brazil (1994-2006)

 

Timeline Of Playing Career:

 

1993: Makes Cruzeiro debut and scores first goal as a professional football player.

 

1994: Makes Brazil debut in international friendly against Argentina.

 

1994: Part of the Brazil squad that wins the 1994 World Cup.

 

1994: Signs a contract with Eredivisie giants PSV.

 

1995: Finishes the season as Eredivisie top scorer with 30 goals.

 

1996: Wins KNVB Beker with PSV.

 

1996: Leaves PSV for Spanish powerhouse Barcelona.

 

1996: Wins FIFA World Player of the Year award; runner-up for Ballon d'Or.

 

1997: Wins Copa del Rey and Cup Winners' Cup with Barcelona.

 

1997: Finishes the season as La Liga top scorer with 34 goals.

 

1997: Wins European Golden Boot

 

1997: Joins Italian titans Inter.

 

1997: Wins FIFA World Player of the Year award; wins Ballon d'Or.

 

1997: Wins the Copa America with Brazil.

 

1998: Wins UEFA Cup with Inter.

 

1998: Part of the Brazil squad that finishes runners-up at the 1998 World Cup.

 

1998: Wins Golden Ball at 1998 World Cup.

 

1999: Wins the Copa America with Brazil.

 

1999: Sustains first serious knee injury.

 

2000: Picks up yet another serious knee problem.

 

2002: Part of the Brazil squad that wins the 2002 World Cup.

 

2002: Finishes the 2002 World Cup as top scorer with eight goals.

 

2002: Wins FIFA World Player of the Year award; wins Ballon d'Or.

 

2002: Leaves Inter to return to Spain with Real Madrid.

 

2002: Wins Intercontinental Cup with Real Madrid.

 

2003: Wins La Liga with Real Madrid.

 

2004: Finishes the season as La Liga top scorer with 24 goals.

 

2006: Part of the Brazil squad that reaches the quarter-finals at the 2006 World Cup.

 

2007: Wins La Liga with Real Madrid.

 

2007: Leaves Real Madrid to join Milan.

 

2008: Sustains his third serious knee injury.

 

2009: Leaves Europe to return to Brazil at Corinthians.

 

2009: Wins Campeonato Paulista and Copa do Brasil with Corinthians.

 

2010: Voted Player of the Decade by Goal.com.

 

2011: Retires from professional football.

 

Other Interesting Facts:

 

• Ronaldo supported Flamengo as a youngster, but was turned down by the Mengao before signing with Cruzeiro.
• 1994 World Cup winner Romario was the one who advised Ronaldo to kick-start his European career in The Netherlands with PSV.
• Ronaldo is the all-time World Cup top goal scorer with 15 goals.
• Since 2005, Ronaldo has been the co-owner of A1 Team Brazil, along with Brazilian motorsports legend Emerson Fittipaldi.
• Ronaldo has scored for both Milan and Inter in the Derby della Madonnina.

 

Source: Goal.com