Ronaldo Nazario

Ronaldo Nazario, commonly known as Ronaldo, is a Brazilian former professional footballer who played as a forward for the Brazil national team and is known for his time at Real Madrid and Inter Milan. He is widely considered one of the greatest players of all time. As a multi-functional striker who brought a new dimension to the position, Ronaldo has been an influence on a generation of strikers that have followed. His individual accolades include being named FIFA World Player of the Year three times and winning two Ballon d'Or awards.

Early Life

Ronaldo was born on September 18, 1976, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He was raised in the Bento Ribeiro neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro and began playing football on the streets as a child. His talent for the sport was evident from an early age, and he joined a local club, Social Ramos, when he was just eight years old.

Despite his talent, Ronaldo faced several challenges growing up, including poverty, illness, and a lack of opportunities. At the age of 12, he was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency, which stunted his growth and made him shorter than other children his age. Ronaldo's family could not afford the expensive treatment, but he was eventually discovered by a local football talent scout, who helped him get his medical treatment.

Ronaldo continued to excel on the football pitch and was eventually signed by the Brazilian club Cruzeiro at the age of 16. He quickly established himself as one of the best young players in the country and was soon noticed by top European clubs. In 1994, at the age of 17, he was signed by the Dutch club PSV Eindhoven, where he began his professional career.

Club Career

Ronaldo's professional club career began with PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands in 1994. He quickly established himself as one of the best young players in Europe, scoring 30 goals in 33 appearances in his first season with the club. He helped PSV win the Eredivisie title in his second season with the club.

In 1996, Ronaldo was signed by FC Barcelona for a then-world record fee of $19.5 million. He had a successful season with the club, scoring 47 goals in 49 appearances in all competitions. However, his time at Barcelona was marred by injuries, and he eventually moved on to Inter Milan. He managed to win the Copa del Rey and Supercopa de Espana during his time there.

Ronaldo spent five seasons at Inter Milan, where he established himself as one of the best players in the world. He won the Ballon d'Or award in 1997 and 2002, and he helped Inter win the UEFA Cup in 1998. He scored 59 goals in 99 appearances for the club.

In 2002, Ronaldo was signed by Real Madrid for a world record fee of €46 million. He was an immediate success with the club, scoring 30 goals in his first season and helping Real win the UEFA Champions League in 2003. He won the La Liga title with Real in 2003 and 2007 and scored a total of 104 goals in 177 appearances for the club.

Ronaldo spent one season with AC Milan before returning to Brazil to finish his career. He scored nine goals in 20 appearances for the club and helped them win the Supercoppa Italiana in 2007. He returned to Brazil and represented Corinthians in the final two years of his career from 2009 to 2011. He helped the club win the Campeonato Paulista and the Copa do Brasil in 2009 and the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A in 2011. He retired from professional football in 2011, ending a highly successful club career that spanned nearly two decades.

International Career

Ronaldo made his international debut in the 1994 FIFA World Cup for Brazil. Although he did not play in any of the matches, he managed to taste success as Brazil won the competition. His first international goal came against the Netherlands in the 1998 World Cup, when he scored a goal in the 46th minute. He even scored in the penalty shootout goal later in that match.

Ronaldo was the star of the Brazilian team that reached the final of the 1998 World Cup in France. He scored four goals in the tournament, including two in the final against France. However, Brazil lost the final 3-0, and Ronaldo was criticized for his poor performance in the match.

Ronaldo played a key role in Brazil's triumph at the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan. He scored eight goals in the tournament, including two in the final against Germany, and was named the tournament's Golden Boot winner as the top scorer. Ronaldo's performance in the tournament cemented his place as one of the all-time greats of Brazilian football.

He also won two Copa America trophies in 1997 and 1999, as well as the FIFA Confederations Cup in 1997. He scored 62 goals in 98 appearances before retiring from international duty on June 11, 2011, after a friendly against Romania in his home country.

Records

• Ronaldo scored 8 goals in the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan, which is the joint-highest total in a single tournament.

• Ronaldo scored 4 goals in World Cup finals, which is the joint-highest total alongside Pelé of Brazil and Geoff Hurst of England.

• Ronaldo scored 10 goals in World Cup knockout matches, which is the highest total of any player in history.

• Ronaldo scored 34 goals in the 1996-1997 season for FC Barcelona, which is the most goals scored by a foreign player in a single season.

• Ronaldo scored 12 goals in the 1997-1998 season in the Europa League for Inter Milan, which is the highest total to this day.

• Ronaldo scored 47 goals in the 1996-1997 season for Real Madrid, which is the highest total of any player in the club's history.

Awards and Achievements

Personal Life

Ronaldo is a business owner now and the president of La Liga club Real Valladolid. He is also the owner of Brasileiro Serie A club Cruzeiro.

Off the pitch, Ronaldo has been known for his philanthropic work, particularly through his Ronaldo Foundation, which focuses on providing educational opportunities for disadvantaged children in Brazil. He has also been involved in various business ventures, including owning a stake in the Fort Lauderdale Strikers, a professional football team in the United States.

Net Worth

As of 2023, his net worth is estimated to be around $160 million.

Family

Ronaldo Nazario has a large and close-knit family. He is the youngest of three children, born to Nélio Nazário de Lima and Sônia dos Santos Barata. Ronaldo's older brother, Nélio Jr, was also a professional footballer who played for clubs in Brazil and Japan.

Wife

Ronaldo has been married twice and has four children.

His first marriage was to Brazilian footballer Milene Domingues, with whom he has a son named Ronald. They separated in 2003.

Ronaldo's second and current wife is Maria Beatriz Antony, a Brazilian model and television host. They got married in 2008. Together, they have three children: two daughters named Maria Sofia and Maria Alice, and a son named Alexander.

Houses

Ronaldo's most well-known property is his sprawling mansion in Sao Paulo, Brazil, named Casa Grande & Senzala. The mansion is located in the upscale neighborhood of Jardim Europa and is worth an estimated $6.2 million. The property features a large swimming pool, a private gym, and a movie theater, among other amenities.

Ronaldo also owns a luxurious apartment in Sao Paulo, located in the prestigious Fasano Hotel building. The apartment has three bedrooms and features panoramic views of the city.

Ronaldo purchased a luxurious apartment in New York City's Trump Tower in 2015 for an estimated $18.5 million. The apartment has three bedrooms, a private elevator, and views of Central Park.