PSV paid a then record fee of 4 million for the prodigiously talented teenager who
was an unused member of Brazil's 1994 World Cup winning squad.
After averaging a goal a game in the Dutch league Barcelona won a fierce battle with
Inter over Ronaldo's signature. An amazing start to his Spanish career saw him collect
the first of his FIFA and World Soccer player awards. He finished La Liga top scorer,
scored the winning goal for Barcelona in the Cup Winners Cup final and also scored
in the Copa America final for Brazil.
1 year after missing out on his signature, Inter snatched him away from Barca by
paying the 19 million buy out clause in his contract,
Ronaldo completed an unwanted hat-trick of second place finishes following a hugely
controversial defeat against Juventus.
Clearly established as the best player in the World Ronaldo lived up to the hype at
the 1998 World Cup. He was outstanding as both goalscorer and goal maker as Brazil
marched relentlessly towards a record fifth World Cup with victories over Denmark
and Holland in classic encounters. Ronaldo's name didn't appear on Brazil's initial
team sheet for the final against France. Rumours that the striker had suffered a
convulsive fit on the eve of the finals were later confirmed. A lethargic Ronaldo
watched on helplessly as hosts France thrashed them to win their first ever World Cup.
Ronaldo ended a frustrating, injury plagued 1998-1999 campaign on a high note by
helping Brazil retain the Copa America. He ruptured a tendon in his right knee in
November and lasted six minutes into his comeback in an Italian Cup tie against
Lazio. Lazio proved to be the striker's bogey club. After missing almost two years
with injury Ronaldo returned to action in 2002. Inter needed victory away to Lazio to
win the championship. They were crushed 4-2 and Ronaldo left the pitch in tears after
being substituted late in the second half.
Ronaldo would cry tears of joy in the World Cup that summer. Champions France and
arch rivals Argentina fell in the first round and Brazil took full advantage of a weak
field to win a fifth World Cup, Ronaldo scored both goals in the final against Germany.
An unhappy five year stay in Italy ended with a move to Real Madrid. An overweight
Ronaldo was pillared by the Spanish press following indifferent form but finally came
good in the second half of the season as Real made up for a champions league exit at
the hands of Juventus to win the Spanish championship, his first ever league title.
Knee injuries have robbed 'Il Fenomeno'' of his astonishing pace but he still remains
one of the deadliest strikers in the game. Despite poor performances in the 2006
World Cup he managed to break Gerd Muller's record as all time leading scorer
in the competition with 15 goals and has already established himself as one of
the all time greats.
was an unused member of Brazil's 1994 World Cup winning squad.
After averaging a goal a game in the Dutch league Barcelona won a fierce battle with
Inter over Ronaldo's signature. An amazing start to his Spanish career saw him collect
the first of his FIFA and World Soccer player awards. He finished La Liga top scorer,
scored the winning goal for Barcelona in the Cup Winners Cup final and also scored
in the Copa America final for Brazil.
1 year after missing out on his signature, Inter snatched him away from Barca by
paying the 19 million buy out clause in his contract,
Ronaldo completed an unwanted hat-trick of second place finishes following a hugely
controversial defeat against Juventus.
Clearly established as the best player in the World Ronaldo lived up to the hype at
the 1998 World Cup. He was outstanding as both goalscorer and goal maker as Brazil
marched relentlessly towards a record fifth World Cup with victories over Denmark
and Holland in classic encounters. Ronaldo's name didn't appear on Brazil's initial
team sheet for the final against France. Rumours that the striker had suffered a
convulsive fit on the eve of the finals were later confirmed. A lethargic Ronaldo
watched on helplessly as hosts France thrashed them to win their first ever World Cup.
Ronaldo ended a frustrating, injury plagued 1998-1999 campaign on a high note by
helping Brazil retain the Copa America. He ruptured a tendon in his right knee in
November and lasted six minutes into his comeback in an Italian Cup tie against
Lazio. Lazio proved to be the striker's bogey club. After missing almost two years
with injury Ronaldo returned to action in 2002. Inter needed victory away to Lazio to
win the championship. They were crushed 4-2 and Ronaldo left the pitch in tears after
being substituted late in the second half.
Ronaldo would cry tears of joy in the World Cup that summer. Champions France and
arch rivals Argentina fell in the first round and Brazil took full advantage of a weak
field to win a fifth World Cup, Ronaldo scored both goals in the final against Germany.
An unhappy five year stay in Italy ended with a move to Real Madrid. An overweight
Ronaldo was pillared by the Spanish press following indifferent form but finally came
good in the second half of the season as Real made up for a champions league exit at
the hands of Juventus to win the Spanish championship, his first ever league title.
Knee injuries have robbed 'Il Fenomeno'' of his astonishing pace but he still remains
one of the deadliest strikers in the game. Despite poor performances in the 2006
World Cup he managed to break Gerd Muller's record as all time leading scorer
in the competition with 15 goals and has already established himself as one of
the all time greats.
No comments:
Post a Comment