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| Ronaldo Nazario |
Born
Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima
18 September 1976
Height
5ft 11½ (182 cm)
Ronaldo once mentioned his height as 184cm (6'½").
Weight
82 - 117 kg (181 lb - 248 lb)
Body Type
Thickly built
Hair Color
Black
Eye Color
Brown
Shoe Size
US 11.5 (approx)
Spirit Animal
Mountain Lion
Ethnicity
African, Portuguese
Both his parents have mixed Portuguese and African ancestry.
Ronaldo is the son of Sônia dos Santos Barata and Nélio Nazário de Lima.
Regarding racism in football, he has said:
I think that all blacks suffer (with racism). I, that am white, suffer because of so much ignorance.
In response to this, his father, a dark-skinned African-Brazilian, stated:
He knows quite well that he is black… In truth, at the time I thought it was some type of philosophy, something in this sense… because he knows that he is black.
Trivia
Zlatan Ibrahimovic once dubbed Ronaldo Nazário the best player he had ever seen.
Lionel Messi called Ronaldo the best striker he had ever seen.
Quotes
When I stopped playing, I gave up exercising and put on some weight.
Like every Brazilian child, I always wanted to be a footballer.
I was always a simple guy. I was never one for extravagances.
To associate my name with the United Nations is the best thing that could have happened to me.
About Ronaldo Nazário
Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima, or simply Ronaldo is one of the greatest strikers in the history of the sport.
Ronaldo's football journey began in Brazil, where he played for the youth team of São Cristóvão. His talent quickly caught the attention of larger clubs, leading to his professional debut with Cruzeiro at the age of 16. His remarkable performances in Brazil earned him a move to Europe, where he joined the Dutch club PSV Eindhoven in 1994.
His time at PSV showcased his scoring ability, and he continued to impress after moving to Barcelona in 1996. Ronaldo's explosive pace, clinical finishing, and technical skill made him a fan favorite. He won the FIFA World Player of the Year award in 1996 and 1997 during his time with Barcelona.
In 1997, Ronaldo made a high-profile move to the Italian club Inter Milan, becoming the world's most expensive footballer at the time. His spell at Inter Milan further solidified his reputation as one of the greatest forwards in the world. Ronaldo won the FIFA World Player of the Year award for the third time in 1997.
Unfortunately, injuries hampered Ronaldo's career during crucial moments, including the 1998 FIFA World Cup final. Despite setbacks, he demonstrated resilience and mounted successful comebacks. Ronaldo went on to play for clubs such as Real Madrid, where he achieved considerable success, including winning La Liga and the UEFA Cup.
On the international stage, Ronaldo represented Brazil in multiple FIFA World Cups. He played a pivotal role in leading Brazil to victory in the 2002 World Cup, securing his place in football history. Ronaldo retired from professional football in 2011, leaving an indelible mark on the sport and inspiring future generations of players.
Off the field, Ronaldo has been involved in various philanthropic endeavors, and his impact on football continues to be celebrated worldwide. With his extraordinary goal-scoring ability and numerous accolades, Ronaldo remains an enduring legend in the history of football.