If you ask a 12-year-old who Ronaldo is, they will start talking about Cristiano Ronaldo. However, a more seasoned fan will probably get lost in nostalgia as before Cristiano Ronaldo it was Ronaldo Luiz Nazario de Lima who captivated the world of football with his dazzling skills. The legendary Brazilian ignited the pitch with his speed, dribbling and his knack for scoring goals. Although his career was plagued with injuries and some even argue that it was cut short because of them, he left behind one of the most decorated careers in history.
Ronaldo has done it all, won the World Cup twice, the Ballon d’Or twice and also shattered the world transfer fee record twice (that too before the age of 21!). He has played for both Real Madrid and Barcelona as well as the Milan club without being hated by any fans. Unlike many of the big names today, Ronaldo excelled at both club and international level football. At the age of 22, he was already a superstar as he received the Golden Ball in the 1998 World Cup and by 23 he had already scored 200 goals. In 2002 he won the Golden Boot during Brazil’s World Cup triumphant. We need a moment to catch our breaths. Seems like the only thing he missed out on is the Champions League.
It wasn’t all rainbows and sunshine for the Brazilian though as he sustained frequent knee injuries often requiring surgery. He was also subjected to controversy in the 1998 World Cup final against France. Ronaldo was left out of the starting XI after he reportedly collapsed but his name inexplicably appeared on the team sheet moment before the match started. Ronaldo only looked like a shadow of himself as France thumped Brazil 3-0. Many believe that the Brazilian was pressurised to play by sponsors. Oh how we wish that his prime would last for a couple of more years. Despite his career being cut short, there is no doubt that Ronaldo is one of the all-time best sportsmen. Happy birthday, R9!