STARTING ELEVEN: The Legendary Career of Ronaldo
From breaking through into the Cruzeiro team as a 17 year old to becoming the World Cup Finals all-time top scorer, Brazilian superstar Ronaldo has broken records and created headlines galore during an epic career. A serious knee injury threatens the current AC Milan players’ career as at 31 many question how much time the Brazilian has left at the top level. If his career is to be prematurely ended, there is no doubt what a World Class player he has been...
‘Diamond in the Rough’
Born in Bento Ribero a poor neighbourhood of Rio de Janeiro, Ronaldo first began to play football on the streets of his neighbourhood. His footballing abilities were recognised at the age of 14 by World Cup winner Jairzinho who saw immediate potential in him. The former international recommended the youngster to the Brazil youth team and Ronaldo began training with other talented teenagers.
‘Turning Professional’
Jairzinho’s belief in Ronaldo also led him to arrange for league club Cruzeiro to sign him when he was old enough for a professional contract. The forward signed on and in his debut season scored an incredible 12 goals in 13 games. He was selected for several Brazil squads and also attracted attention of some of the top clubs in Europe.
‘World Cup success without stepping on the pitch’
At the tender age of 17 Ronaldo boarded the Brazil squads’ plane to the USA World Cup in 1994. Having only played in an International friendly before the tournament there was much anticipation that he would have a role to play should the more experienced Bebeto and Romario fail to perform. It wasn’t to be however as Ronaldo failed to don the famous Brazil shirt but still managed to claim a World Cup winner’s medal as Brazil saw off Italy in a tense penalty shootout.
‘Taking Holland by storm’
After successes in his home nation, it was only natural that Europe would come calling for the Brazilian starlet. In 1994 Ronaldo moved to PSV Eindhoven scoring 42 goals in 46 league games and a total of 55 in 57 in all competitions as PSV pushed Ajax all the way in the Eredevisie league championship.
‘Moving to Barcelona’
Superb form and worldwide recognition of his scoring talent drew attention from Barcelona of La Liga who signed Ronaldo for around 10 millions pounds. In the 1996-7 season the scored 47 goals in 49 games and helped the Catalan’s to European Cup Winners Cup and Copa Del Rey glory, the first domestic and European honours of his career. The following year he left Barca and joined Inter Milan where he helped his new side win the UEFA Cup.
‘Conspiracies Galore’
With Ronaldo on top scoring form in Serie A he claimed both the 1996 and 1997 FIFA World Player of the Year trophy and in 1996 claimed a bronze medal in the Atlanta Olympic Games. He took his place as the shining light in the much fancied 1998 Brazil World Cup squad and scored four goals and laid on three for other team mates. On the day of the final, the football world was plunged into shock as Ronaldo was omitted from the Brazil team to play France in the World Cup final. Many rumours circulated at the time but it was believed that the striker suffered a convulsive fit the night before the game was completely unfit to play. For whatever reason Ronaldo was reinstated by Mario Zagallo but did not perform and was taken off injured as the hosts won the game 3-0.
‘Injury Problems and Rehab’
Back on the domestic scene Ronaldo and Inter Milan missed out on both the Serie A and UEFA Cup titles in the following season. The Brazilian was still scoring freely until 1999 when he felt his knee buckle underneath him whilst playing in a league game against Lecce. Medical exams revealed a ruptured tendon in his right knee and showed he would need surgery. During his first come back after nine months he returned to play for Milan but only managed seven minutes before being withdrawn with fears of a reoccurrence of his injury. Twenty months after his first collapse Ronaldo returned to action just in time to play at the 2002 World Cup though many feared he would never again be the player he was.
‘Unfinished business’
Without the pressure of the favourites tag which often weighs down Brazil it was clear from the start of the tournament that like his country, Ronaldo had a point to prove. He scored in every game except the quarter final against England and eradicated memories of four years earlier with both goals in a 2-0 win against Germany. Adding another star to the famous green and gold shirt he equalled Pele’s record of 12 World Cup goals adding eight to the four he netted in France.
‘Standing ovation in the ‘Theatre of Dreams’’
With the forward seemingly back to his best it was no surprise when Real Madrid offered Inter Milan 20 million to make the Brazilian a Galactico in 2002. He spent much of the first few months of the season injured but scored 23 goals to help Madrid claim the La Liga Championship in 2003. As Madrid aimed to reclaim the league championship they sought to win their tenth Champions League title the following year. The highlight of the Madrid campaign came in a dramatic two legged affair with Manchester United. After a 3-1 win in the home leg, Madrid faced a highly charged atmosphere at Old Trafford as United looked to oust their Spanish rivals. The game was extremely evenly contest but Ronaldo was the difference as the Brazilian notched a superb hat trick to ensure Real Madrid made it through.
‘Returning to the pitch and breaking records’
Despite another fantastic season with Madrid and a Copa America win with Brazil, weight issues and unfitness surrounded his performances. Unable to complete a full match in the next 12 months many believed that Ronaldo was no longer at his peak and with their closest rivals winning the League Championship there was much pressure for Ronaldo to return to action on a permanent basis or be sold by the club. His on-off form still earned him a place in the Brazil squad for the World Cup in 2006 and although his team won their first two games, Ronaldo looked well off the pace and many called for him to be dropped. In his next game against Japan he scored two goals making him the 20th player ever to score in three different tournaments and another goal in his following game against Ghana allowed him to break Gerd Muller’s all time scoring record to become the leading World Cup goal scorer of all time.
‘Injury curse strikes again’
Having joined AC Milan, Ronaldo initially struggled to make his way into the first team with problems once again surrounding his weight. Despite falling out of favour his manager Carlo Ancelotti challenged Ronaldo to get back to full fitness and prove his doubters wrong. Due to his transfer from Real Madrid not taking place till January, Ronaldo was cup-tied from the successful run to the Champions League final but managed nine goals in sixteen games in Serie A. Looking to get back to his peak Ronaldo suffered an unfortunate injury in February 2008 against Livorno and ruptured a kneecap ligament fuelling rumours he may have to retire from the game.
Born in Bento Ribero a poor neighbourhood of Rio de Janeiro, Ronaldo first began to play football on the streets of his neighbourhood. His footballing abilities were recognised at the age of 14 by World Cup winner Jairzinho who saw immediate potential in him. The former international recommended the youngster to the Brazil youth team and Ronaldo began training with other talented teenagers.
‘Turning Professional’
Jairzinho’s belief in Ronaldo also led him to arrange for league club Cruzeiro to sign him when he was old enough for a professional contract. The forward signed on and in his debut season scored an incredible 12 goals in 13 games. He was selected for several Brazil squads and also attracted attention of some of the top clubs in Europe.
‘World Cup success without stepping on the pitch’
At the tender age of 17 Ronaldo boarded the Brazil squads’ plane to the USA World Cup in 1994. Having only played in an International friendly before the tournament there was much anticipation that he would have a role to play should the more experienced Bebeto and Romario fail to perform. It wasn’t to be however as Ronaldo failed to don the famous Brazil shirt but still managed to claim a World Cup winner’s medal as Brazil saw off Italy in a tense penalty shootout.
‘Taking Holland by storm’
After successes in his home nation, it was only natural that Europe would come calling for the Brazilian starlet. In 1994 Ronaldo moved to PSV Eindhoven scoring 42 goals in 46 league games and a total of 55 in 57 in all competitions as PSV pushed Ajax all the way in the Eredevisie league championship.
‘Moving to Barcelona’
Superb form and worldwide recognition of his scoring talent drew attention from Barcelona of La Liga who signed Ronaldo for around 10 millions pounds. In the 1996-7 season the scored 47 goals in 49 games and helped the Catalan’s to European Cup Winners Cup and Copa Del Rey glory, the first domestic and European honours of his career. The following year he left Barca and joined Inter Milan where he helped his new side win the UEFA Cup.
‘Conspiracies Galore’
With Ronaldo on top scoring form in Serie A he claimed both the 1996 and 1997 FIFA World Player of the Year trophy and in 1996 claimed a bronze medal in the Atlanta Olympic Games. He took his place as the shining light in the much fancied 1998 Brazil World Cup squad and scored four goals and laid on three for other team mates. On the day of the final, the football world was plunged into shock as Ronaldo was omitted from the Brazil team to play France in the World Cup final. Many rumours circulated at the time but it was believed that the striker suffered a convulsive fit the night before the game was completely unfit to play. For whatever reason Ronaldo was reinstated by Mario Zagallo but did not perform and was taken off injured as the hosts won the game 3-0.
‘Injury Problems and Rehab’
Back on the domestic scene Ronaldo and Inter Milan missed out on both the Serie A and UEFA Cup titles in the following season. The Brazilian was still scoring freely until 1999 when he felt his knee buckle underneath him whilst playing in a league game against Lecce. Medical exams revealed a ruptured tendon in his right knee and showed he would need surgery. During his first come back after nine months he returned to play for Milan but only managed seven minutes before being withdrawn with fears of a reoccurrence of his injury. Twenty months after his first collapse Ronaldo returned to action just in time to play at the 2002 World Cup though many feared he would never again be the player he was.
‘Unfinished business’
Without the pressure of the favourites tag which often weighs down Brazil it was clear from the start of the tournament that like his country, Ronaldo had a point to prove. He scored in every game except the quarter final against England and eradicated memories of four years earlier with both goals in a 2-0 win against Germany. Adding another star to the famous green and gold shirt he equalled Pele’s record of 12 World Cup goals adding eight to the four he netted in France.
‘Standing ovation in the ‘Theatre of Dreams’’
With the forward seemingly back to his best it was no surprise when Real Madrid offered Inter Milan 20 million to make the Brazilian a Galactico in 2002. He spent much of the first few months of the season injured but scored 23 goals to help Madrid claim the La Liga Championship in 2003. As Madrid aimed to reclaim the league championship they sought to win their tenth Champions League title the following year. The highlight of the Madrid campaign came in a dramatic two legged affair with Manchester United. After a 3-1 win in the home leg, Madrid faced a highly charged atmosphere at Old Trafford as United looked to oust their Spanish rivals. The game was extremely evenly contest but Ronaldo was the difference as the Brazilian notched a superb hat trick to ensure Real Madrid made it through.
‘Returning to the pitch and breaking records’
Despite another fantastic season with Madrid and a Copa America win with Brazil, weight issues and unfitness surrounded his performances. Unable to complete a full match in the next 12 months many believed that Ronaldo was no longer at his peak and with their closest rivals winning the League Championship there was much pressure for Ronaldo to return to action on a permanent basis or be sold by the club. His on-off form still earned him a place in the Brazil squad for the World Cup in 2006 and although his team won their first two games, Ronaldo looked well off the pace and many called for him to be dropped. In his next game against Japan he scored two goals making him the 20th player ever to score in three different tournaments and another goal in his following game against Ghana allowed him to break Gerd Muller’s all time scoring record to become the leading World Cup goal scorer of all time.
‘Injury curse strikes again’
Having joined AC Milan, Ronaldo initially struggled to make his way into the first team with problems once again surrounding his weight. Despite falling out of favour his manager Carlo Ancelotti challenged Ronaldo to get back to full fitness and prove his doubters wrong. Due to his transfer from Real Madrid not taking place till January, Ronaldo was cup-tied from the successful run to the Champions League final but managed nine goals in sixteen games in Serie A. Looking to get back to his peak Ronaldo suffered an unfortunate injury in February 2008 against Livorno and ruptured a kneecap ligament fuelling rumours he may have to retire from the game.