Who does not know Ronaldo de Lima? This Brazilian football star is called as one of the most phenomenal players of all time. His greatness in playing a ball is truly undeniable. Various achievements from both individuals and teams become clear evidence of how great this former Inter Milan striker is.
As a football legend, Ronaldo is also idolized by worldwide players. Call him Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The former captain of the Swedish national team claimed Ronaldo as his childhood idol.
“I think Ronaldo is a phenomenal figure. He is a player who can be anything he wants. He can make difficult and impossible things to be true,” said Ibrahimovic, via Sportsmole.
“As a young footballer I watched him and said to myself ‘I want to be like him’… a player who can make his own difference, make the light shines, as simple as that,” added Ibrahimovic.
Ronaldo Luiz Nazario de Lima was born on September 18, 1976, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. During his childhood, he used to live a unsophisticated life. Ronaldo was born to a poor family. Even so, his family still tried to send Ronaldo to school.
But after several years of studying at school, his parents separated. His broken family also gave an impact on him. He quitted school and had to find a way to earn money.
At that time, the only way to be able to earn money was by playing street football.
Little Ronaldo started his football career on the streets of Brazil. He often participated in local competitions involving several other street footballers.
Since then, Ronaldo got a lot of support from friends and neighbors. Many of them thought that Ronaldo had extraordinary abilities.
Ronaldo who lived with all poverty continued to strive to be better. He continued to practice and participate in various local competitions.
Until finally, Ronaldo’s hard work was paid off. His talent was known by a talent seeker of street football, Jairzinho. Jairzinho who is a Brazilian football legend at that time worked as a coach and a talent seeker in the country of Samba.
After getting a little training by Jarizinho, Ronaldo made it into the Cruzeiro club.
At the age of just 16 years old, Ronaldo managed to make his debut with Cruzeiro and created 44 goals in 44 appearances. Acceleration, body balance, and excellent ball control made Ronaldo had been much loved by football lovers.
After Ronaldo’s name began to bloom, the European club, PSV Eindhoven, was interested in him. Ronaldo was in success when he worked in the Netherlands. He had an amazing goal average. In almost every game, Ronaldo successfully created a goal.
After moving to Barcelona, Ronaldo became a star in the Pizza Country with Inter Milan. He began to be famous with the nickname ‘il fenomeno’ thanks to his brilliant action during the game.
In Serie A with Inter, Ronaldo managed to score 49 times in his 68 appearances. Although he suffered a severe injury, Ronaldo was still able to give his best performance when he appeared in the most prestigious event in the world.
Starting his participation in the 1994 World Cup, Ronaldo continued his brilliant career at the 1998 World Cup in France. Following the great game along with his club, Ronaldo became the best player of the Samba team on that event.
However, everything did not go according to the plan. He suffered from an unknown disease during the previous French World Cup. Ronaldo also failed to bring the Brazilian national team won the world title.
Refuse to give up, Ronaldo returned to look for his fortune at the 2002 World Cup held in Korea-Japan. He performed brilliantly with various goals. Ronaldo became an important pillar of the Brazilian national team in winning the 2002 World Cup. He even embarrassed the legendary goalkeeper Oliver Kahn, who at that time guarded the German national team in the final match.
Getting his more completed golden record, Ronaldo successfully won the title as the top scorer with a score of 8 goals.
Starting from street football, Ronaldo managed to show off his skill over the most prestigious trophy, the World Cup.
Throughout his career, Ronaldo has performed with several European giants before finally returning to Brazil and then decided to retire. Among them are Real Madrid and AC Milan.
