Ronaldo (Brazilian footballer)

Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima was born on 18 September 1976 in Itaguaí as the third child of Nélio Nazário de Lima Snr. and Sônia dos Santos Barata.{{cite news |title=Ronaldo's return to glory |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/special_events/sports_personality_2002/2556663.stm |access-date=4 October 2018 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=8 December 2002 |archive-date=13 March 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090313233448/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/special_events/sports_personality_2002/2556663.stm |url-status=live }} Ronaldo has a brother, Nélio Jr.{{cite book |title=Ronaldo: The Journey of a Genius |first1=James |last1=Mosley |year=2005 |isbn=1-84018-964-9 |publisher=Mainstream Publishing}}Ronaldo: Manual de Vuelo (Brazil Documentary film) 1997 His parents separated when he was 11, and Ronaldo dropped out of school shortly afterward to pursue a career in football. He played on the streets of Bento Ribeiro, a suburb of Rio de Janeiro. His mother states: "I always found him on the street playing ball with friends when he should have been in school. I know, I lost my battle." He joined the Social Ramos futsal team at the age of 12 and led the city's youth league in scoring with a record 166 goals in his first season which included scoring 11 of his team's 12 goals in a single game. Crediting futsal for developing his skills, Ronaldo has said, "futsal will always be my first love."{{cite news |title=The football greats forged by futsal |url=https://www.fifa.com/futsalworldcup/news/y=2012/m=10/news=the-football-greats-forged-futsal-1798909.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151008000840/http://www.fifa.com/futsalworldcup/news/y=2012/m=10/news=the-football-greats-forged-futsal-1798909.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=8 October 2015 |access-date=28 August 2018 |agency=FIFA}}{{cite book |last1=Baker |first1=Stan |title=Our Competition is the World |date=2012 |publisher=Lulu |page=276}}Futsalfeed.com (14 March 2020). "[https://futsalfeed.com/original-content/top-10-footballers-who-played-futsal Top 10 Footballers Who Played Futsal!] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200608234921/https://futsalfeed.com/original-content/top-10-footballers-who-played-futsal |date=8 June 2020 }}", "futsalfeed.com". Retrieved 14 March 2020. His coach from Social Ramos, Alirio Carvalho, says: "What was special about Ronaldo was his attitude. It was as if he had come from the moon. Nothing disturbed him, nothing overawed him, nothing threw him off his game."

Spotted by former Brazilian player Jairzinho, who was coaching São Cristóvão, Ronaldo played for the São Cristóvão youth team.{{cite news |title=Ronaldo O Fenomeno: Sao Cristovao's greatest son |url=http://www.goal.com/brasilglobaltour/en/news/5457/brasil-global-tour/2016/09/22/27793592/ronaldo-o-fenomeno-sao-cristovaos-greatest-son |access-date=3 September 2018 |work=Goal |archive-date=4 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180904084649/http://www.goal.com/brasilglobaltour/en/news/5457/brasil-global-tour/2016/09/22/27793592/ronaldo-o-fenomeno-sao-cristovaos-greatest-son |url-status=live }} Under the guidance of coach Alfredo Sampaio, he progressed quickly through the ranks, playing for the clubs' under-17 and under-20 teams while only 15.{{cite web |last=Law |first=Joshua |url=https://www.planetfootball.com/in-depth/the-making-of-o-fenomeno-in-brazil-it-was-as-if-he-had-come-from-the-moon/ |title=The making of O Fenomeno in Brazil: 'It was as if he had come from the moon' |date=10 June 2021 |access-date=19 June 2021 |work=Planet Football |archive-date=19 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210619221429/https://www.planetfootball.com/in-depth/the-making-of-o-fenomeno-in-brazil-it-was-as-if-he-had-come-from-the-moon/ |url-status=live }} Ronaldo's agents in Brazil, Reinaldo Pitta and Alexandre Martins, signed him as a 13-year-old. Pitta stated: "We saw right away that he could be something different than most other players." Recognized as a child prodigy, Jairzinho recommended the then 16-year-old to his former club Cruzeiro.{{cite news |title=Ronaldo awaits coronation |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/ronaldo-awaits-coronation-1.1062333 |access-date=2 September 2018 |newspaper=Irish Times |archive-date=19 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819034238/https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/ronaldo-awaits-coronation-1.1062333 |url-status=live }}

Ronaldo quickly attracted attention from big clubs, and his agents rejected offers from Botafogo and São Paulo.{{Cite web |last=Law |first=Joshua |date=22 September 2023 |title=Ronaldo Fenomeno's rise in Brazil: 'It was as if he'd come from the moon' |url=https://www.planetfootball.com/in-depth/the-making-of-o-fenomeno-in-brazil-it-was-as-if-he-had-come-from-the-moon |access-date=9 July 2024 |website=Planet Football |language=en}} He was turned down by Flamengo, the team he supported as a boy, after missing practice due to an inability to afford the fare for the hour-long bus ride."The Global Art of Soccer" (2006). P. 174 Jairzinho saw Ronaldo's potential and helped get him a move to Cruzeiro. Ronaldo's agents accepted an offer of €50,000 from the club, and he scored four goals on his youth team debut.

Three months after arriving at Cruzeiro, Ronaldo made his professional debut on 25 May 1993 against Caldense in the Minas Gerais State Championship.[http://m.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2013/m=10/news=ronaldo-history-goals-can-erased-2201316.html "Ronaldo: My history & goals can't be erased"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819082654/http://m.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2013/m=10/news=ronaldo-history-goals-can-erased-2201316.html |date=19 August 2014 }}. FIFA.com. Retrieved 3 June 2014 His first senior goal came in a friendly during a tour of Portugal, scoring a goal against Belenenses and generally impressing new coach Carlos Alberto Silva, enough to become a first team regular. During the tour, his performance against Porto impressed enough that they bid $500,000, which was turned down by club president César Masci.

Upon returning from the 1993 summer tour, he would score 20 goals in 21 games for Cruzeiro until the end of the year. On 5 October 1993 he scored his first senior career hat-trick against Chilean side Colo-Colo (6–1) in the first home leg of the Supercopa Libertadores.{{cite web|url=https://m.allfootballapp.com/news/Headline/Ronaldo-Fenomeno%E2%80%99s-rise-in-Brazil-%E2%80%98It-was-as-if-he%E2%80%99d-come-from-the-moon%E2%80%99/3279936|title= Ronaldo Fenomeno's rise in Brazil: 'It was as if he'd come from the moon'|date=22 January 2024|publisher=allfootballapp.com}} He scored two more in the second leg, further three against Uruguayan team Nacional, and finished as the tournament's top-scorer with 8 goals, being the youngest to do so in the history of the Supercopa Libertadores.

On 7 November 1993 he came to national public attention once more by scoring five goals in Cruzeiro's 6–0 home win against BahiaPlacar Magazine (Mar 2003) p. 35. in the 1993 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A and became the second youngest South-American in history to score a league hat-trick behind Pelé.{{Cite web|url=https://90soccer.com/erling-haalands-beginnings-in-the-norwegian-fourth-division/|title=Erling Haaland's beginnings in Norwegian fourth division and youngest hat-tricks in history |website=90soccer.com|date=19 January 2024 |author= }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/legend-fenomeno/blt87c5a55f5a2caaa7|title=Ronaldo Nazario: The legend of O Fenomeno |website=goal.com|date= 4 October 2022|author= }}

Ronaldo scored a total of 44 goals in 47 games with Cruzeiro in two seasons, leading them to their first Copa do Brasil in 1993, and the Minas Gerais State Championship in 1994.{{cite news |title=How good was Ronaldo Nazario? |url=https://www.marca.com/en/football/spanish-football/2017/06/09/593a842e468aeb66648b460e.html |access-date=6 July 2020 |work=Marca |archive-date=7 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200707034721/https://www.marca.com/en/football/spanish-football/2017/06/09/593a842e468aeb66648b460e.html |url-status=live }}

Ronaldo joined PSV after the 1994 World Cup. He was selected for the tournament despite being just 17, but did not play in any games. His Brazil teammate Romário, having played for PSV from 1988 to 1993, advised Ronaldo to move to the club.{{cite web |last=Kelly |first=James |url=https://thesefootballtimes.co/2019/03/05/ronaldo-the-psv-diaries/ |title=Ronaldo: the PSV diaries |date=5 March 2019 |access-date=19 June 2021 |work=These Football Times |archive-date=24 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624202736/https://thesefootballtimes.co/2019/03/05/ronaldo-the-psv-diaries/ |url-status=live }} On 28 August 1994, Ronaldo scored ten minutes into his debut against Vitesse, and scored a brace on his home debut against Go Ahead Eagles. He scored 30 league goals in his first season in the Netherlands, which included seven braces and a hat-trick against Utrecht. After scoring a hat-trick in PSV's game against Bayer Leverkusen in the 1994–95 UEFA Cup, Leverkusen striker and Germany World Cup winner Rudi Völler stated in a post match press conference, "Never in my life have I seen an 18-year-old play in this way."{{cite news |last=Miller |first=Nick |title=PSV Eindhoven rekindle glory days of Romário and Ronaldo |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2015/jun/03/psv-eindhoven-rekindle-glory-days-of-romario-and-ronaldo |access-date=4 July 2018 |work=The Guardian |date=3 June 2015 |archive-date=4 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180704212822/https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2015/jun/03/psv-eindhoven-rekindle-glory-days-of-romario-and-ronaldo |url-status=live }} His dribbles from midfield caught the attention of many in the sport, with future Barcelona teammate Luis Enrique stating, "I'd seen him on television at PSV and thought ‘wow'. Then he came to Barcelona. He's the most spectacular player I've ever seen. He did things I'd never seen before. We're now used to seeing Messi dribble past six players, but not then. Ronaldo was a beast."{{cite news |title=The big interview: Luis Enrique – "I'd like to manage in England at some point – the fans are faithful" |url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/luis-enrique-one-one-id-manage-england-some-point-fans-are-faithful?page=0%2C1 |access-date=10 September 2018 |work=FourFourTwo |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180809215909/https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/luis-enrique-one-one-id-manage-england-some-point-fans-are-faithful?page=0%2C1 |archive-date=9 August 2018 |url-status=dead }}

Nick Miller, match reporter for The Guardian, writes: "What's striking about Ronaldo in that first year at PSV is how complete he looks, even as a skinny teenager. Everything that would come to define him – the lightning pace, the blurry stepovers, the implausible impression that he was faster with the ball than without it, even the exceptional upper-body strength – was all there." Rob Smyth added, "In many ways Ronaldo was the first PlayStation footballer. His stepover was a form of hypnosis, and his signature trick, the elastico, could certainly have come from a computer screen." Ronaldo's second season was marred by a knee injury which kept him out of most of the campaign, but he still averaged nearly a goal a game, scoring 19 goals in 21 appearances, including a UEFA Cup four-goal haul against Finnish side MyPa. With PSV, Ronaldo won the Dutch Cup in 1996 and he was Eredivisie top scorer in 1995.[https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/ronaldo-given-route-back-by-corinthians-1059277.html?action=gallery&ino=4 "Ronaldo given route back by Corinthians"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181211190302/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/ronaldo-given-route-back-by-corinthians-1059277.html?action=gallery&ino=4 |date=11 December 2018 }}. The Independent. Retrieved 16 November 2013 In his two seasons at the club he scored 54 goals in 58 games.{{cite web |last=Adams |first=Tom |url=http://en.espn.co.uk/football/sport/story/85217.html |title=Ronaldo's record-breaking season |date=14 April 2011 |access-date=19 June 2021 |work=ESPN |archive-date=24 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624201001/http://en.espn.co.uk/football/sport/story/85217.html |url-status=live }} Ronaldo occasionally names Luc Nilis as one of the best strike partners he had played with, despite sharing only a brief time with him at PSV.{{Cite web |title=Sabatina da Folha com Ronaldo - Íntegra |url=http://esporte.uol.com.br/ultimas/multi/2009/05/15/04023762DC812346.jhtm?sabatina-da-folha-com-ronaldo--integra-da-entrevista-04023762DC812346}}

File:PSG-Barcelone 1997.png against Paris Saint-Germain]]

During his spell at PSV, Ronaldo attracted the attention of both Inter Milan and Barcelona. It was Barcelona that was willing to pay the then-world record fee of $19.5 million, and he joined the club on 17 July 1996. According to manager Bobby Robson, he signed an eight-year contract, and would play up front alone.{{cite web |last=Moore |first=Glenn |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/the-man-with-the-world-at-his-feet-1365417.html |title=The man with the world at his feet |date=27 September 1996 |access-date=19 June 2021 |work=the Independent |archive-date=24 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624204003/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/the-man-with-the-world-at-his-feet-1365417.html |url-status=live }}

During the 1996–97 season, Ronaldo scored 47 goals in 49 games in all competitions, with his goal celebration invariably the same with his arms outstretched like the statue of Christ the Redeemer that watches over his native Rio de Janeiro. He helped Barcelona to the 1996–97 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup title, capping the season with the winning goal in the final, and to a win in the 1996 Supercopa de España.{{cite web |url=http://www.uefa.com/Competitions/ECWC/AllTimeStatistics/season=1996/Round=158/match=53916/index.html |title=Barcelona 1–0 Paris Saint-Germain |work=UEFA |access-date=29 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040430140323/http://www.uefa.com/Competitions/ECWC/AllTimeStatistics/season%3D1996/Round%3D158/match%3D53916/index.html |archive-date=30 April 2004 |url-status=dead }} He also won La Liga top scorer award in 1997 with 34 goals in 37 games, and the European Golden Shoe. Until the 2008–09 season, Ronaldo remained the last player to score more than 30 goals in La Liga.[https://www.rsssf.org/tabless/spantops.html "Spain - List of Topscorers ("Pichichi") 1929-2011"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304084634/http://www.rsssf.com/tabless/spantops.html |date= 4 March 2016 }}. RSSSF. Retrieved 13 May 2014

Ronaldo was at his physical peak at Barcelona, and many of his 47 goals involved him rounding the goalkeeper before slotting the ball into the net. By January 1997, at 20 years old, he was touted to be the next "great" in football, being viewed as the heir to Pelé, Diego Maradona, Johan Cruyff{{Cite web |author=Staff Reporter |date=20 June 1997 |title=Ronaldo, the Pirelli Pele |url=https://mg.co.za/article/1997-06-20-ronaldo-the-pirelli-pele/ |access-date=31 October 2023 |website=The Mail & Guardian |language=en-ZA |archive-date=31 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231031120150/https://mg.co.za/article/1997-06-20-ronaldo-the-pirelli-pele/ |url-status=live }} and Marco van Basten.{{Cite news |last=Clarey |first=Christopher |date=5 January 1997 |title=A Brazilian Makes It Big in Barcelona |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/01/05/sports/a-brazilian-makes-it-big-in-barcelona.html |access-date=31 October 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=24 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624232643/https://www.nytimes.com/1997/01/05/sports/a-brazilian-makes-it-big-in-barcelona.html |url-status=live }} Speaking to The New York Times regarding Ronaldo later that season, Robson said "I don't think I've ever seen a player at 20 have so much".{{cite web |last=Clarey |first=Christopher |author-link=Christopher Clarey |date=5 January 1997 |title=A Brazilian Makes It Big in Barcelona |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/01/05/sports/a-brazilian-makes-it-big-in-barcelona.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624232643/https://www.nytimes.com/1997/01/05/sports/a-brazilian-makes-it-big-in-barcelona.html |archive-date=24 June 2021 |access-date=19 June 2021 |work=The New York Times}} World Soccer featured Ronaldo on its cover in the same year under the headline 'The Best Ever?'. Óscar García, Ronaldo's teammate that season, stated, "Back then, he was all fibre and muscle. He was a perfect physical specimen. Such incredible power matched to his technical skills could make him unstoppable."{{cite news |title=El Fenómeno |work=Bleacher Report Media Lab |date=16 January 2017 |url=http://thelab.bleacherreport.com/remembering-ronaldo-at-barcelona/ |access-date=27 March 2017 |last=Hunter |first=Graham |archive-date=30 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170130024659/http://thelab.bleacherreport.com/remembering-ronaldo-at-barcelona/ |url-status=live }} José Mourinho, who worked as an interpreter at Barcelona, referred to Ronaldo as "the greatest player I have ever seen in my life", adding, "I have no doubts. Ronaldo is the best my eyes have seen",[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPfLKGUI2uo "Mourinho interview"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819034239/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPfLKGUI2uo&app=desktop |date=19 August 2020 }}. YouTube. 4:25 to 5:00. Retrieved 30 August 2018 and in 2014 regarded him as the best player post-Diego Maradona.{{cite news |last=Dawson |first=Alan |date=9 July 2014 |title=Jose Mourinho: Brazil's Ronaldo is the best player from last 20 years |url=http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2014/07/09/jose-mourinho-brazils-ronaldo-is-the-best-player-from-last-20-ye/ |access-date=30 August 2018 |agency=HITC |archive-date=30 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180830142304/http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2014/07/09/jose-mourinho-brazils-ronaldo-is-the-best-player-from-last-20-ye/ |url-status=live }}

Arguably, Ronaldo's most memorable Barcelona goal was scored at Compostela on 11 October 1996; having received the ball inside his own half, he evaded a cynical tackle of the first opponent with a drag back, before running away from another and ran towards goal, going past two more defenders in the box with close ball control, before finishing into the bottom corner of the net. The camera then cut to manager Robson who had got up off the bench and clasped his head in disbelief at what he had seen. The footage of the goal was later used in a Nike advert with a voiceover asking: "Imagine you asked God to be the best player in the world, and he listened to you", and the goal was said to have been replayed 160 times on the main Spanish television channels in the 48 hours following the game. Half-way through the season, Barcelona agreed in principle to extend his contract to 2006, doubling his salary in the process. A hat-trick against Valencia, the third goal of which saw him dissect two Valencia defenders before striking the ball into the net, saw Barcelona fans waving white handkerchiefs as an expression of admiration for an exceptional performance. Sid Lowe of Sports Illustrated stated: "That season Ronaldo was unstoppable. He was slim and powerful, skillful, fast and deadly. He was ridiculously good."{{cite magazine |last=Lowe |first=Sid |title=Brazilian Ronaldo was simply a phenomenon |url=https://www.si.com/more-sports/2011/02/18/ronaldo-retirement |access-date=4 July 2018 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=18 February 2011 |archive-date=5 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180705003348/https://www.si.com/more-sports/2011/02/18/ronaldo-retirement |url-status=live }} At the end of 1996, aged 20, Ronaldo became the youngest player to win FIFA World Player of the Year.

File:Ronaldo Cannes (cropped).jpg]]

Ronaldo's time at Barcelona lasted one season, as there were problems with the renegotiation of his contract. Barcelona thought there was an agreement in place, with Barcelona president Josep Lluís Núñez saying "He's ours for life", but when the parties reconvened the following day, the agreement collapsed, with Núñez admitting: "It's all over, Ronaldo is going". Speaking to ESPN, Ronaldo stated, "I had reached an agreement to renew my contract just a month before that season finished, but a week later the lawyer and the president of Barcelona agreed that that contract was absurd."{{cite news |title=How good was Ronaldo Nazario? |url=http://www.marca.com/en/football/spanish-football/2017/06/09/593a842e468aeb66648b460e.html |access-date=29 August 2018 |work=Marca |archive-date=29 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180829212038/http://www.marca.com/en/football/spanish-football/2017/06/09/593a842e468aeb66648b460e.html |url-status=live }} Paying the buy out clause fee in his contract, Inter Milan signed him in the summer of 1997 for a then world record fee of $27 million,{{cite news |title=Ronaldo says exits from Barcelona are often ugly for Brazilians |url=https://www.espn.co.uk/football/soccer-transfers/story/3328280/ronaldo-says-exits-from-barcelona-are-often-ugly-for-brazilians?device=featurephone |access-date=19 June 2021 |agency=ESPN |archive-date=24 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624203944/https://www.espn.co.uk/football/soccer-transfers/story/3328280/ronaldo-says-exits-from-barcelona-are-often-ugly-for-brazilians?device=featurephone |url-status=live }} making him the second player, after Diego Maradona, to break the world transfer record twice. He signed a five-year contract with the Italians,{{cite web |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-ronaldo-signs-up-for-inter-1257195.html |title=Ronaldo signs up for Inter |date=20 June 1997 |access-date=19 June 2021 |work=The Independent |archive-date=25 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140125130230/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-ronaldo-signs-up-for-inter-1257195.html |url-status=dead }} and was unveiled to 4,000 Inter fans at their training ground.{{cite web |last=Barker |first=Matt |url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/ronaldo-inter-milan-brazilian-italy-serie-a-europa-league-lazio-juventus-uefa-cup-final-injury-knee |title=Ronaldo at Inter Milan: The UEFA Cup, the goals and the injuries – the full story of his time in Italy |date=17 August 2020 |access-date=19 June 2021 |work=FourFourTwo |archive-date=24 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624203424/https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/ronaldo-inter-milan-brazilian-italy-serie-a-europa-league-lazio-juventus-uefa-cup-final-injury-knee |url-status=live }} His debut came on 27 July during the pre-season fixture against Manchester United.{{cite web |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-ronaldo-all-the-rage-at-inter-1252941.html |title=Ronaldo all the rage at Inter |date=27 July 1997 |access-date=19 June 2021 |work=The Independent |archive-date=24 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624214139/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-ronaldo-all-the-rage-at-inter-1252941.html |url-status=live }} His competitive debut came on the opening day of the 1997–98 season against Brescia.{{cite web |last=Gates |first=Emmet |url=https://gentlemanultra.com/2017/03/30/goal-o-the-times-alvaro-recoba-vs-brescia-1997/ |title=Goal O' The Times: Alvaro Recoba vs. Brescia (1997) |date=30 March 2017 |access-date=19 June 2021 |work=Gentleman Ultra |archive-date=5 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210805120432/https://gentlemanultra.com/2017/03/30/goal-o-the-times-alvaro-recoba-vs-brescia-1997/ |url-status=live }}

Ronaldo adapted to the Italian style of the game in his first season, finishing with 25 Serie A goals, and was named Serie A Footballer of the Year. Ronaldo started to develop into a complete forward. He began racking up assists, became first-choice penalty taker, taking and scoring freekicks. Halfway through his first season he won FIFA World Player of the Year for the second time, and collected the Ballon d'Or.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/9396646.stm "Brazil legend Ronaldo retires from football"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819034235/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/9396646.stm |date=19 August 2020 }} BBC. Retrieved 20 November 2013 During his time with Inter, he scored several goals against city rivals AC Milan in the Derby della Madonnina. Ronaldo and prolific Fiorentina striker Gabriel Batistuta were the two best strikers in Serie A, with their duels the most anticipated in Italy.{{cite news |title=European Football: Ronaldo's duel with Batistuta |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/european-football-ronaldos-duel-with-batistuta-1240337.html |access-date=15 August 2018 |newspaper=The Independent |archive-date=15 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815171134/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/european-football-ronaldos-duel-with-batistuta-1240337.html |url-status=live }} Ronaldo's goal celebrations often saw his Inter teammates congratulating him by kneeling down and pretending to shine his shoe.{{cite book |last1=Collie |first1=Ashley Jude |title=World of Soccer: A Complete Guide to the World's Most Popular Sport |date=2003 |publisher=The Rosen Publishing Group |page=9}} Ronaldo scored a trademark goal against Lazio in the 1998 UEFA Cup Final. Running through defence to go one on one with Lazio goalkeeper Luca Marchegiani, Ronaldo feinted to go right then left, without touching the ball, leaving Marchegiani on his backside, before going right and slotting the ball into the net. His Inter teammate Youri Djorkaeff stated; "Ronaldo was phenomenal. He proved that he was a cut above the rest that season."[https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/0215-0e8aa76918b7-2ca3c375dfad-1000--djorkaeff-s-uefa-cup-glory-day-at-inter/ "Djorkaeff's UEFA Cup glory day at Inter"] . UEFA.com. Retrieved 1 June 2014 After the 1998 FIFA World Cup, where he was named player of the tournament, Ronaldo was widely regarded as the best striker in the world.[https://web.archive.org/web/20140602200418/http://www.fifa.com/ballondor/archive/edition=1999901998/news/ "FIFA World Player Gala 1998"]. FIFA.com. Retrieved 1 June 2014 By the end of the 1998–99 season, he was appointed Inter Milan captain.{{cite news |url=http://ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/1999/05/03/ecco-inter-di-hodgson-roma-caccia.html |title=Ecco l'Inter di Hodgson. Roma a caccia del 4º posto |newspaper=La Repubblica |date=3 May 1999 |language=it |access-date=26 May 2017 |archive-date=3 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403010134/https://ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/1999/05/03/ecco-inter-di-hodgson-roma-caccia.html |url-status=live }}

{{quote box|width=29%|align=left|quote="The knee injuries suffered at Inter Milan took away the explosiveness that made him possibly the greatest young footballer of all time, a futuristic fusion of speed, strength and skill. That is not to belittle Ronaldo's achievements in the second half of his career, when he scored eight goals in a single World Cup [in 2002] and became the first Ronaldo to receive a standing ovation at Old Trafford [in 2003], but it is the memory of the early years that puts mist in the eyes of grown men."|source=—Rob Smyth, The Guardian.{{cite news |last1=Smyth |first1=Rob |title=Ronaldo at 40: Il Fenomeno's legacy as greatest ever No 9, despite dodgy knees |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2016/sep/17/ronaldo-40-birthday-brazil-greatest-ever-striker |newspaper=The Guardian |date=17 September 2016 |access-date=1 April 2017 |archive-date=7 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180907161434/https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2016/sep/17/ronaldo-40-birthday-brazil-greatest-ever-striker |url-status=live }}}}

After two seasons with Inter, A.C. Milan defender Paolo Maldini viewed Ronaldo and Diego Maradona as the two best players he ever faced, stating, "Ronaldo during his first two years at Inter was a phenomenon."{{cite news|last1=Landolina|first1=Salvatore|title=Maradona And Ronaldo Best Ever - Maldini|url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/8/main/2008/10/04/895828/maradona-and-ronaldo-best-ever-maldini|access-date=23 September 2015|work=Goal.com|date=4 October 2008|archive-date=23 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923023026/http://www.goal.com/en/news/8/main/2008/10/04/895828/maradona-and-ronaldo-best-ever-maldini|url-status=live}} Inter had high hopes going into the 1999–2000 season with their attack including Ronaldo and Italian stars Roberto Baggio and Christian Vieri.{{cite news|last1=Hughes|first1=Rob|title=He and Ronaldo Give Inter a Dynamic Duo : For Vieri, One More Change of the Jersey|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/06/10/sports/10iht-soccer.2.t_4.html|access-date=23 September 2015|work=The New York Times|date=10 June 1999|archive-date=23 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923023221/http://www.nytimes.com/1999/06/10/sports/10iht-soccer.2.t_4.html|url-status=live}} However, on 21 November, during a Serie A match against Lecce, Ronaldo felt his knee buckle and was forced to limp off the field. A medical examination confirmed that the striker had ruptured a tendon in his knee and would require surgery.{{cite web |url=http://www.footballdatabase.com/index.php?page=player&Id=1044&b=true&pn=Lu%C3%ADz_Naz%C3%A1rio_de_Lima |title=Ronaldo (Luíz (Ronaldo) Nazário de Lima) – Milan and Brazil |publisher=Footballdatabase.com |access-date=12 December 2010 |archive-date=13 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181213115304/https://footballdatabase.com/index.php?page=player&Id=1044&b=true&pn=Lu%C3%ADz_Naz%C3%A1rio_de_Lima |url-status=live }} During his first comeback on 12 April 2000, he played only six minutes during the first leg of the Coppa Italia final against Lazio before suffering a complete rupture of the knee-cap tendons.{{cite news |title=Inter return for Ronaldo |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/european/3013145/Inter-return-for-Ronaldo.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/european/3013145/Inter-return-for-Ronaldo.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=4 September 2018 |work=The Telegraph}}{{cbignore}} Ronaldo's physiotherapist Nilton Petrone stated, "his knee-cap actually exploded", and called it "the worst football injury" he's ever seen.{{cite news |title='Ronaldo's kneecap exploded, it was by his thigh' |url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/performance/training/ronaldos-kneecap-exploded-it-was-his-thigh |access-date=6 August 2020 |work=FourFourTwo |archive-date=22 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200422081153/https://www.fourfourtwo.com/performance/training/ronaldos-kneecap-exploded-it-was-his-thigh |url-status=live }}

Ronaldo was forced to miss the entire 2000–01 season and much of the two seasons either side of it.{{cite news |title=Ronaldo fights the flab and dodgy knees |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/ronaldo-fights-the-flab-and-dodgy-knees-1050397.html |access-date=30 August 2018 |work=The Independent |archive-date=7 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207133147/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/ronaldo-fights-the-flab-and-dodgy-knees-1050397.html |url-status=live }} Since his Inter teammate Javier Zanetti had replaced him as the team captain during his absence, he eventually inherited the captain's armband in late 2001.{{cite web|url=http://www.inter.it/it/news/5173|title=Ronaldo e la fascia da capitano: "Giusto che la porti Zanetti" e in serata il sì di Cuper|publisher=Football Club Internazionale Milano|website=Inter.it|language=it|date=3 November 2001|access-date=26 May 2017|archive-date=20 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190720074822/https://www.inter.it/it/news/5173|url-status=dead}} After two operations and rehabilitation, Ronaldo came back for the 2002 World Cup, helping Brazil win their fifth World Cup title. Later in 2002, he won the FIFA World Player of the Year award for the third time, and transferred from Inter to Real Madrid. Ronaldo was given his most recognizable nickname, {{lang|pt|Il Fenomeno}}, by the Italian press while playing there.{{cite news |title=Brazil's Ronaldo Has the World at His Feet |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/soccer/longterm/worldcup98/teams/articles/ronaldo4.htm |last=Shepard |first=Michael T. |date=4 June 1998 |access-date=1 September 2018 |newspaper=The Washington Post |archive-date=19 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151119024924/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/soccer/longterm/worldcup98/teams/articles/ronaldo4.htm |url-status=live }} His Inter teammate Djorkaeff stated: "when we were training, we would practically stop to watch him. It was extraordinary."{{cite news |title=Ronaldo makes retirement official |url=http://www.espn.com/sports/soccer/news/_/id/6120565/lack-fitness-led-retirement-18-seasons |access-date=1 September 2018 |agency=ESPN |archive-date=2 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180902012000/http://www.espn.com/sports/soccer/news/_/id/6120565/lack-fitness-led-retirement-18-seasons |url-status=live }} Prior to his November 1999 injury, Ronaldo had registered 42 goals in 58 Serie A games, in what was the hardest league to score in with the most advanced defensive strategies and the world's best defenders.{{cite news |title=Luis Nazario Ronaldo |url=https://www.inter.it/en/archivio_giocatore/G0556 |access-date=2 September 2018 |agency=Inter.it. |archive-date=3 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180903215217/https://www.inter.it/en/archivio_giocatore/G0556 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Serie A in the '90s: when Italian football ruled the world |url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/serie-a-90s-when-baggio-batistuta-and-italian-football-ruled-world?page=0%2C2|access-date=15 August 2018 |work=Four Four Two|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180903182945/https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/serie-a-90s-when-baggio-batistuta-and-italian-football-ruled-world?page=0%2C2 |archive-date=3 September 2018 |url-status=dead}} After five years, he had played 99 games and scored 59 goals for Nerazzurri. Ronaldo's performances at the club – especially the first two seasons before injury – saw him named among the four inaugural inductees into the Inter Milan Hall of Fame in 2018.{{cite web |title=Ronaldo Nazario da Lima Interview. Inter Hall of Fame 2018 |url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=QR5YSwQ4iek | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211028/QR5YSwQ4iek| archive-date=28 October 2021|website=YouTube | date=6 April 2018 |publisher=Inter. |access-date=1 September 2018}}{{cbignore}}{{cite web|url=http://www.inter.it/en/news/61845/hall-of-fame-the-first-editions-4-winners|title=Hall Of Fame: The first edition's 4 winners|website=Inter.it|access-date=22 June 2018|archive-date=22 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180622165311/https://www.inter.it/en/news/61845/hall-of-fame-the-first-editions-4-winners|url-status=dead}}

File:Ronaldo em campo.jpg in his first season and received the Pichichi Trophy in his second.]]

Having signed for Real Madrid for €46 million, his jersey sales broke all records on the first day.{{cite news |last1=Crocitti |first1=John C. |title=Brazil Today: An Encyclopedia of Life in the Republic, Volume 2 |date= 2012|publisher=ABC-CLIO}} Ronaldo was part of the Galácticos era of global stars signed by the club every summer, which included Zinedine Zidane, Luís Figo, Roberto Carlos and David Beckham.{{cite web|title = 2001 – present — Real Madrid surpasses the century mark|url = http://www.realmadrid.com/en/about-real-madrid/history/football/2001-2010-the-ninth-with-zidane-beckham-ronaldo-and-figo|publisher = Realmadrid.com|access-date = 12 July 2008|archive-date = 22 November 2019|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191122115453/https://www.realmadrid.com/en/about-real-madrid/history/football/2001-2010-the-ninth-with-zidane-beckham-ronaldo-and-figo|url-status = live}} He was sidelined through injury until October 2002 which further fuelled fan anticipation. Ronaldo scored twice on his debut against Alavés, the first 61 seconds after coming on.{{cite news |title=Ronaldo scores on his first date |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2002/oct/07/europeanfootball.sport2 |date=7 October 2002 |access-date=29 August 2018 |work=The Guardian |archive-date=30 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180830005304/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2002/oct/07/europeanfootball.sport2 |url-status=live }} That same reception was observed at the final game of the season against Athletic Bilbao, where Ronaldo scored to finish his first season with 23 league goals and seal La Liga title for 2003.{{cite news|date=4 April 2012|title=Ronaldo, a phenomenon in every sense|work=FIFA|url=https://www.fifa.com/news/y=2012/m=4/news=ronaldo-phenomenon-every-sense-1611048.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150908083212/http://www.fifa.com/news/y=2012/m=4/news=ronaldo-phenomenon-every-sense-1611048.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=8 September 2015|access-date=19 September 2015}} He also won an Intercontinental Cup in 2002 and Supercopa de España in 2003, scoring in both finals.

In the second leg of Real Madrid's Champions League quarter-final, Ronaldo scored a hat-trick against Manchester United at Old Trafford, knocking the English team out of the competition.{{cite news |title=Ronaldo ends Man Utd dream |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/champions_league/2965089.stm |work=BBC Sport |publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation |date=23 April 2003 |access-date=25 May 2012 |archive-date=14 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120414051440/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/champions_league/2965089.stm |url-status=live }} Completing his hat-trick with a swerving strike from 30 yards, Ronaldo was substituted off after 67 minutes, and was given a standing ovation from both sets of fans. Reflecting on the ovation given to him from the oppositions' fans, Ronaldo stated that "it remains a very beautiful, very special moment". Manchester United defender Wes Brown commented: "He was just unstoppable. A young Ronaldo [before a series of injuries] would have been even more dangerous, but it shows how good a player he was. Whenever he wanted to turn it on he could, on any stage, in any stadium".{{cite web |last1=Jackson |first1=Jamie |last2=Lowe |first2=Sid |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/apr/23/a-player-above-millions-the-night-brazilian-ronaldo-lit-up-old-trafford |title='A player above millions of others' – the night Ronaldo lit up Old Trafford |date=23 April 2020 |access-date=19 June 2021 |work=The Guardian |archive-date=24 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624201212/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/apr/23/a-player-above-millions-the-night-brazilian-ronaldo-lit-up-old-trafford |url-status=live }} Ronaldo scored in a 2–1 home win over Juventus in the first leg of the Champions League semi-finals, but injury crucially kept him out of most of the second leg defeat where Real were eliminated.{{cite news |title=Ronaldo finally proves consistency |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2003/SPORT/football/12/15/ronaldo.profile.reut/ |access-date=4 September 2018 |agency=CNN |archive-date=4 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180904154105/http://edition.cnn.com/2003/SPORT/football/12/15/ronaldo.profile.reut/ |url-status=live }}

In the 2003–04 season, Madrid were on track to win the treble, until Ronaldo was injured towards the end of the season; they subsequently lost the Copa del Rey final, were knocked out of the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals to Monaco, and suffered a league form breakdown.{{cite news |title=Real Madrid 2–3 Real Zaragoza |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2004/mar/18/newsstory.sport3 |work=The Guardian |date=18 March 2004 |access-date=25 May 2012 |archive-date=3 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140103235751/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2004/mar/18/newsstory.sport3 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Monaco 3 - 1 Real Madrid (Agg: 5-5; Monaco go through on away goals) |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2004/apr/07/match.championsleague1 |access-date=4 September 2018 |work=The Guardian |archive-date=4 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180904225723/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2004/apr/07/match.championsleague1 |url-status=live }} During that second season at the club, Ronaldo scored one of the fastest goals in the club's history when he netted after 15 seconds in a league match against Atlético Madrid at the Bernabéu on 3 December 2003.{{Cite news| title = Quickfire Ronaldo proves Real hero| url = http://edition.cnn.com/2003/SPORT/football/12/03/spain.real/| publisher = CNN.com| access-date = 7 December 2008| date = 3 December 2003| archive-date = 14 October 2018| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181014141858/http://edition.cnn.com/2003/SPORT/football/12/03/spain.real/| url-status = live}} Three days later he helped to ensure Real's first league victory over Barcelona at the Nou Camp in 20 years when he scored the second goal in a 2–1 victory over his former club. He finished the season as La Liga's top scorer with 25 goals and received the Pichichi Trophy for a second time, despite Madrid losing the league title to Valencia.

File:Ronaldo Real Madrid.jpg

In his final two seasons at Real Madrid, Ronaldo missed a number of games with injuries and weight issues, and with the acquisition of Ruud van Nistelrooy in 2006, he grew further out of favour with the manager Fabio Capello.{{cite news|last1=Wilson|first1=Paul|date=14 February 2011|title=Ronaldo: In his pomp, he was a footballing force close to unstoppable|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2011/feb/14/ronaldo-retires-brazil-real-madrid-internazionale|access-date=19 September 2015|archive-date=29 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180729012538/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2011/feb/14/ronaldo-retires-brazil-real-madrid-internazionale|url-status=live}} Speaking in 2017 on Ronaldo's weight issues and lack of fitness at Madrid, in addition to his ability, Capello summed up the conflicting emotions he has with the Brazilian: "The most difficult player to handle was the best I coached: Ronaldo, il Fenomeno."{{cite news |title=Fabio Capello: Ronaldo was the hardest to coach |url=http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/capello-ronaldo-was-the-hardest-to-coach/9ot6og6lnfpu1r62tqdqhdc53 |access-date=5 September 2018 |work=Goal |archive-date=5 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180905175957/http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/capello-ronaldo-was-the-hardest-to-coach/9ot6og6lnfpu1r62tqdqhdc53 |url-status=live }}

In four and a half seasons at the club, Ronaldo scored over a century of goals, becoming the fifth foreigner at Madrid to achieve the feat after Argentine Alfredo Di Stéfano, Hungarian Ferenc Puskás, Mexican Hugo Sánchez and Chilean Iván Zamorano.{{cite news|title=Ronaldo set for Corinthians unveiling|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/ronaldo-set-for-corinthians-unveiling-1062426.html?action=gallery&ino=9|newspaper=The Independent|date=14 April 2014|access-date=1 November 2017|archive-date=29 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181129072924/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/ronaldo-set-for-corinthians-unveiling-1062426.html?action=gallery&ino=9|url-status=dead}} Although the knee injuries before 2002 meant he "was robbed of the explosiveness of his early years" (according to FourFourTwo) by the time he signed for Real Madrid, Ronaldo was named by Marca as a member of the "Best foreign eleven in Real Madrid's history".{{cite news |title=Ronaldo's kneecap exploded, it was by his thigh' |url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/performance/training/ronaldos-kneecap-exploded-it-was-his-thigh#qs3UMJykHxD26RFh.99 |work=Four Four Two |date=3 July 2018 |access-date=2 July 2018 |archive-date=22 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200422081153/https://www.fourfourtwo.com/performance/training/ronaldos-kneecap-exploded-it-was-his-thigh#qs3UMJykHxD26RFh.99 |url-status=live }}{{cite news|url=http://www.marca.com/2013/04/11/en/football/real_madrid/1365709938.html|title=The best foreign eleven in Real Madrid's history|date=12 April 2013|publisher=Marca|access-date=12 April 2013|archive-date=23 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210523124252/https://www.marca.com/2013/04/11/en/football/real_madrid/1365709938.html|url-status=live}}

While past his 1990s prime, Ronaldo still drew praise from his Madrid colleagues, with Zidane stating: "Without hesitation, Ronaldo is the best player I ever played with or against. He had such an ease with the ball. Every day I trained with him, I saw something different, something new, something beautiful."[http://www.goal.com/en-gh/news/7531/hall-of-fame/2014/11/14/6137441/he-was-impossible-to-stop-what-they-said-about-ronaldo "'He was impossible to stop' - What they said about Ronaldo"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180829175512/http://www.goal.com/en-gh/news/7531/hall-of-fame/2014/11/14/6137441/he-was-impossible-to-stop-what-they-said-about-ronaldo |date=29 August 2018 }}. Goal.com. Retrieved 5 July 2018 Michael Owen, who joined Madrid in 2004, acknowledged that he never got the chance to play with Ronaldo in his prime when "he had absolute blistering speed and strength, mesmerizing foot speed, he was just a blur, he'd be that fast", before adding, "even in training, he showed more than enough to convince me that I would have loved to play with him at his peak."{{cite web |title=Michael Owen: "The REAL Ronaldo" |url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ApfBCT-jNmw | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211028/ApfBCT-jNmw| archive-date=28 October 2021|website=YouTube | date=3 August 2011 |publisher=FA TV |access-date=5 July 2018}}{{cbignore}} Teammates for six months, Van Nistelrooy said: "Ronaldo was the best natural talent I ever played with. His innate ability went beyond anything that I'd ever seen or played alongside."{{cite web |title=Ruud van Nistelrooy. Full Q & A |url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=N2HhXVNlj68 | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211028/N2HhXVNlj68| archive-date=28 October 2021|website=YouTube |publisher=Oxford Union|date=6 February 2016|access-date=5 September 2018}}{{cbignore}}{{cite news |title=Ruud van Nistelrooy names Brazil legend Ronaldo as the best player he ever played with |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/ruud-van-nistelrooy-names-brazil-10097596 |access-date=5 September 2018 |work=The Mirror |archive-date=27 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180627144634/https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/ruud-van-nistelrooy-names-brazil-10097596 |url-status=live }}

File:Jerseys of Ronaldo.jpg museum. He played for Inter from 1997 to 2002, and A.C. Milan from 2007 to 2008.]]

On 18 January 2007, it was reported that Ronaldo agreed terms with Milan for a transfer of €8.05 million.{{cite web|url=http://www.uefa.com/competitions/ucl/news/kind=1/newsid=501832.html|title=Ronaldo unveiled by Rossoneri|date=30 January 2007|publisher=UEFA|access-date=13 December 2007|archive-date=14 April 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090414021452/http://www.uefa.com/competitions/ucl/news/kind=1/newsid=501832.html|url-status=dead}} Departing Real Madrid, having been the club's leading goalscorer for all of his four full seasons, Ronaldo thanked everyone except Capello: "I would like to thank the fans who've supported me all the time and thank all the teammates that I've had here and all the coaches I've had – except one". Capello, who dropped him due to weight issues, commented: "I wish him the best of luck in doing what he used to do which is being a great player."{{cite news|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2007/SPORT/football/01/30/italy.ronaldo/|title=Ronaldo completes move to AC Milan|access-date=22 September 2018|agency=CNN|archive-date=22 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180922135702/http://edition.cnn.com/2007/SPORT/football/01/30/italy.ronaldo/|url-status=live}} On 25 January, Ronaldo flew from Madrid to Milan, with statements on the club's website stating Ronaldo was in Milan for a medical, and that a meeting had been arranged with Real Madrid officials to discuss and finalize his transfer to the Milanese club.{{cite news |title=Ronaldo on verge of Milan move |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/ronaldo-on-verge-of-milan-move-1.1298756 |access-date=30 August 2018 |work=Irish News |archive-date=19 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819034243/https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/ronaldo-on-verge-of-milan-move-1.1298756 |url-status=live }} On 26 January, Ronaldo successfully completed his medical tests at the Milanello training complex under the supervision of club doctors, and the transfer was completed on 30 January.{{Cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/6271487.stm | work=BBC News | title=Milan complete signing of Ronaldo | date=30 January 2007 | access-date=22 May 2010 | archive-date=17 February 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080217213314/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/6271487.stm | url-status=live }} Wearing the number 99 jersey, he made his debut as a substitute on 11 February 2007 in the 2–1 victory over Livorno.{{cite news |title=Milan coach delighted by Ronaldo's debut |url=http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/sports/2007-02/12/content_806964.htm |access-date=4 September 2018 |work=China Daily |archive-date=4 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180904225737/http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/sports/2007-02/12/content_806964.htm |url-status=live }} The next game at Siena, on 17 February, Ronaldo scored twice and assisted on a third goal in his first start for Milan, as they won 4–3.{{cite news |title=Ronaldo lifts AC Milan to victory |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/ronaldo-lifts-ac-milan-to-victory-1.632137 |access-date=30 August 2018 |agency=CBC Sports |archive-date=19 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819034249/https://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/ronaldo-lifts-ac-milan-to-victory-1.632137 |url-status=live }} In his first season, Ronaldo scored seven goals in 14 appearances.

File:AC Milan team celebrate.jpg triumph with his A.C. Milan teammates.]]

After his move to Milan, Ronaldo joined the list of the few players to have played for both Inter Milan and AC Milan in the Derby della Madonnina, and is one of few players to have scored for both rival teams in the Milan derby game (for Inter in the 1998–99 season and for AC Milan in the 2006–07 season), the others being players such as Giuseppe Meazza, Zlatan Ibrahimović, Enrico Candiani and Aldo Cevenini.{{cite news |title=AC Milan v Barcelona: Ronaldinho, Rivaldo, Ronaldo and the legends who played for both clubs |url=https://talksport.com/uncategorized/162770/ac-milan-v-barcelona-ronaldinho-rivaldo-ronaldo-and-legends-who-played-b-191998/ |access-date=4 September 2018 |agency=Talksport |archive-date=4 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180904084829/https://talksport.com/uncategorized/162770/ac-milan-v-barcelona-ronaldinho-rivaldo-ronaldo-and-legends-who-played-b-191998/ |url-status=live }} Ronaldo is also one of the few players to have started for Real Madrid and Barcelona, which also boasts a heated rivalry. Ronaldo, however, has never transferred directly between rival clubs. Ronaldo only played 300-plus minutes in his second season at Milan due to recurring injury problems and weight issues.{{cite news |title=AC Milan vs. Inter: 10 Players Who Played for Both Sides |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2044671-ac-milan-vs-inter-10-players-who-played-for-both-sides#slide0 |access-date=30 August 2018 |agency=Bleacher Report |archive-date=31 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180831002505/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2044671-ac-milan-vs-inter-10-players-who-played-for-both-sides#slide0 |url-status=live }} Ronaldo's only goals in the 2007–08 season, besides his goal against Lecce in pre-season, came in a 5–2 victory against Napoli at the San Siro, where he scored an emotional double.{{cite news |title=Pato has a debut to remember as Milan end their San Siro duck |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/jan/14/europeanfootball.acmilan |access-date=30 August 2018 |newspaper=The Guardian |archive-date=30 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180830210238/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/jan/14/europeanfootball.acmilan |url-status=live }} It was also the first time Milan's much hyped attacking trio of Kaká, Alexandre Pato and Ronaldo, known as Ka-Pa-Ro, played together.[http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/news/newsid=645896.html "Milan in thrall to 'Ka-Pa-Ro' strike force"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170707051904/http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/news/newsid=645896.html |date=7 July 2017 }}. UEFA.com. Retrieved 1 June 2014

Despite tremendous success over the past decade, Ronaldo never won the UEFA Champions League in his club career.{{cite news |title=From Ronaldo to Totti, the best players never to win the Champions League |url=http://www.espn.com/soccer/uefa-champions-league/2/blog/post/3136464/from-ronaldo-to-francesco-totti-best-players-never-to-win-the-champions-league |access-date=21 September 2018 |agency=ESPN |archive-date=21 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180921191151/http://www.espn.com/soccer/uefa-champions-league/2/blog/post/3136464/from-ronaldo-to-francesco-totti-best-players-never-to-win-the-champions-league |url-status=live }} In 2019, FourFourTwo named him the best player never to win the competition;{{cite news |url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/gallery/20-best-players-never-win-champions-league |title=The 20 best players never to win the Champions League. #1 Ronaldo |magazine=FourFourTwo |last1=Lea |first1=Greg |date=28 May 2019 |access-date=28 August 2019 |archive-date=29 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180829000206/https://www.fourfourtwo.com/gallery/20-best-players-never-win-champions-league |url-status=live }} in 2020, Sky Sports ranked him the second-best player (after Diego Maradona) never to win the Champions League or European Cup.{{cite web |url=https://www.skysports.com/transfer/news/11096/11996951/25-1-best-players-never-to-win-champions-league |title=Ronaldo, Eric Cantona, Zlatan Ibrahimovic: The best players never to win Champions League 25-1 |publisher=Sky Sports |last1=Solhekol |first1=Kaveh |last2=Sheth |first2=Dharmesh |date=30 May 2020 |access-date=1 June 2020 |archive-date=28 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728114012/https://www.skysports.com/transfer/news/11096/11996951/25-1-best-players-never-to-win-champions-league |url-status=live }} Ronaldo stated: "I live football with a passion that doesn't give me any peace for not winning the Champions League – it's a trophy everyone would love to win."{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/0221-0e90c7564eb5-3b70d5ac744b-1000--the-best-not-to-have-won-the-champions-league/ |title=The best not to have won the Champions League |publisher=UEFA |date=19 May 2015 |access-date=11 August 2020 |archive-date=31 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210531110157/https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/0221-0e90c7564eb5-3b70d5ac744b-1000--the-best-not-to-have-won-the-champions-league/ |url-status=live }} In 2011, Paul Wilson wrote in The Guardian: "Ronaldo was unlucky in his timing or his choice of club – for there is no doubt that at his very best he would have walked into any club in the world." During the 2006–07 season, though Milan won the 2006–07 title, Ronaldo was cup-tied with Madrid and ineligible to take part.{{cite news |title=4 Great Moments from Ronaldo's AC Milan Career |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2327546-4-great-moments-from-ronaldos-ac-milan-career |access-date=3 September 2018 |agency=Bleacher Report |archive-date=3 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180903215123/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2327546-4-great-moments-from-ronaldos-ac-milan-career |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Ronaldo sees specialist about knee |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2007/SPORT/football/09/06/italy.ronaldo/index.html |access-date=3 September 2018 |agency=CNN |archive-date=3 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180903215130/http://edition.cnn.com/2007/SPORT/football/09/06/italy.ronaldo/index.html |url-status=live }} The closest that he came to Champions League success was in 2003 when he helped Real Madrid to the semi-finals, in which they lost to Juventus.{{cite news |title=Juventus 3 - 1 Real Madrid (Agg: 4-3) |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2003/may/14/minutebyminute.sport |work=The Guardian |date=3 July 2018 |access-date=3 July 2018 |archive-date=6 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806225633/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2003/may/14/minutebyminute.sport |url-status=live }}

On 13 February 2008, Ronaldo suffered a severe season-ending knee injury while jumping for a cross in Milan 1–1 draw with Livorno, and was stretchered off and taken to a hospital.{{cite news |title=Ronaldo faces end of road after new injury blow |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/feb/15/newsstory.acmilan |access-date=30 August 2018 |work=The Guardian |archive-date=31 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180831035302/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/feb/15/newsstory.acmilan |url-status=live }} The club confirmed after the match that Ronaldo had ruptured the kneecap ligament in his left knee. It marked the third such occurrence of this injury, which he suffered twice to his right knee in 1999 and 2000.{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/7244079.stm | agency=BBC News | title=Milan fear for Ronaldo's career | date=14 February 2008 | access-date=10 June 2010 | archive-date=20 June 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170620061656/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/7244079.stm | url-status=live }} Teammate Clarence Seedorf stated: "My heart stopped beating because it was like watching a repeat of the injury he suffered playing for Inter Milan against Lazio [in 2000]. His reaction was the same."{{cite news |title=Seedorf fears for Ronaldo career |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/7246241.stm |access-date=4 September 2018 |agency=BBC |archive-date=4 March 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090304155959/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/7246241.stm |url-status=live }} Silvio Berlusconi told Italy's RAI TV: "He fears for his career. I called him last evening and told him to believe in himself. He has enormous physical potential." Ronaldo was released by Milan at the end of the season, as his contract expired and was not renewed.{{cite news |title=Ronaldo to sign for Corinthians |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/7773957.stm |access-date=1 September 2018 |agency=BBC |archive-date=11 March 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090311081120/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/7773957.stm |url-status=live }}

File:LulaeRonaldo (2009).jpg handing him the jersey|alt=|220x220px]]

Ronaldo trained with Rio de Janeiro based Brazilian club Flamengo during his recovery from knee surgery, and the club's board of directors said that the doors were open for him to join.{{cite news |title=Ronaldo returns to training with Flamengo but remains a free agent |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/international/3068247/Ronaldo-returns-to-training-with-Flamengo-but-remains-a-free-agent.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/international/3068247/Ronaldo-returns-to-training-with-Flamengo-but-remains-a-free-agent.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=22 September 2018 |work=The Telegraph}}{{cbignore}}{{cite news |title=Ronaldo sparks fury by ditching Flamengo for Corinthians |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/dec/10/ronaldo-corinthians-injury |access-date=22 September 2018 |work=The Guardian |archive-date=25 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170425205751/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/dec/10/ronaldo-corinthians-injury |url-status=live }} On 9 December, however, Ronaldo signed a one-year deal with Flamengo's league rival Corinthians.[https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/ronaldo-agrees-to-join-corinthians-1058987.html "Ronaldo agrees to join Corinthians"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181211060955/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/ronaldo-agrees-to-join-corinthians-1058987.html |date=11 December 2018 }}. The Independent. Retrieved 28 June 2014 The announcement received much publicity in the Brazilian press about his choice of Corinthians over Flamengo, since Ronaldo publicly declared himself a Flamengo fan.[https://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/dec/10/ronaldo-corinthians-injury "Ronaldo sparks fury by ditching Flamengo for Corinthians"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170425205751/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/dec/10/ronaldo-corinthians-injury |date=25 April 2017 }}. The Guardian. Retrieved 21 June 2014 Rio-based sports newspaper Lance! called Ronaldo a "phenomenal traitor", and some angry fans burned Ronaldo shirts outside the Flamengo headquarters. Ronaldo responded that playing for Corinthians was the only option open to him. "I understand perfectly, I'm openly a Flamengo fan. But I was training with Flamengo for four months and didn't receive any offer. Corinthians made an offer that will let me continue my career."

Ronaldo played his first match for Corinthians on 4 March 2009, a Copa do Brasil match against Itumbiara at Estádio Juscelino Kubitschek, in which he came as a substitute for Jorge Henrique.{{Cite news| title = Aos 22min do 2º tempo, Ronaldo estréia pelo Corinthians| url = http://esportes.terra.com.br/futebol/copadobrasil/interna/0,,OI3614269-EI1950,00-Aos+min+do+tempo+Ronaldo+estreia+pelo+Corinthians.html| publisher = Terra| date = 4 March 2009| access-date = 4 March 2009| language = pt| archive-date = 13 May 2011| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110513102349/http://esportes.terra.com.br/futebol/copadobrasil/interna/0,,OI3614269-EI1950,00-Aos+min+do+tempo+Ronaldo+estreia+pelo+Corinthians.html| url-status = live}} Ronaldo scored his first goal for Corinthians on 8 March 2009 in a Campeonato Paulista match against Palmeiras.{{Cite news| title = Com gol de Ronaldo no final, Corinthians arranca empate contra o Palmeiras| url = http://www1.folha.uol.com.br/folha/esporte/ult92u531293.shtml| publisher = Folha Online| date = 8 March 2009| access-date = 8 March 2009| language = pt| archive-date = 11 March 2009| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090311033957/http://www1.folha.uol.com.br/folha/esporte/ult92u531293.shtml| url-status = live}} Scoring eight goals in nine matches, his form led to calls for his return to the Brazil national team – nearly 70% of respondents in a poll for the O Globo newspaper voted that he should be reinstated, with the country's president Lula also calling for his immediate return.{{cite news |title=Cuddly comeback king Ronaldo eating balls again |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2009/apr/30/ronaldo-goals-corinthians-brazil |access-date=4 September 2018 |work=The Guardian |archive-date=4 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180904192208/https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2009/apr/30/ronaldo-goals-corinthians-brazil |url-status=live }} He scored twice in a 3–1 win against local rivals Santos in the first leg of the state championship final, with Santos idol Pelé looking on from the stands. His second goal, a chip over the Santos goalkeeper from 30 yards out, sent the Corinthians fans into hysteria. Ultimately, he helped Corinthians win the Campeonato Paulista with ten goals in 14 games.[http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-05/16/content_11383489.htm News.Xinhuanet.com] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160411002645/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-05/16/content_11383489.htm |date=11 April 2016 }}

Ronaldo scored in Corinthians 4–2 aggregate defeat of Internacional in the final of the 2009 Copa do Brasil, helping the club win the trophy for the third time (the second of his career), thus earning a spot in the Copa Libertadores 2010.{{cite news |title=2009 Copa Brasil |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesb/brazcup09.html |access-date=8 September 2018 |agency=Rsssf.com |archive-date=14 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220714213029/https://www.rsssf.org/tablesb/brazcup09.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Vickery |first1=Tim |title=Can Ronaldo prove us wrong again? |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/timvickery/2010/10/can_ronaldo_prove_us_wrong_aga.html |access-date=30 August 2018 |agency=BBC |date=18 October 2010 |archive-date=16 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161116044418/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/timvickery/2010/10/can_ronaldo_prove_us_wrong_aga.html |url-status=live }} Following an injury lay off he returned on 20 September in a match against Goiás, and a week later scored for Corinthians in a draw against São Paulo. He finished the 2009 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A with 12 goals in 20 matches.{{cite news |title=Ronaldo 2009 / 2010 Brazilian Serie A |url=http://www.espnfc.com/player/20123/ronaldo?season=2009 |access-date=30 August 2018 |agency=ESPN |archive-date=31 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180831002652/http://www.espnfc.com/player/20123/ronaldo?season=2009 |url-status=live }}

File:Ronaldo says Goodbye to Europe! (5575600354).jpg in London in March 2011, one month after announcing his retirement]]

In February 2010, Ronaldo signed a contract extension with Corinthians that would keep him with the club until the end of 2011, and said he would then retire.{{cite news |title=Brazil star Ronaldo to retire in 2011 |agency=CNN |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2010/SPORT/football/02/22/brazil.ronaldo.retires/index.html |access-date=22 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220811205954/http://edition.cnn.com/2010/SPORT/football/02/22/brazil.ronaldo.retires/index.html |archive-date=11 August 2022}}{{Cite news |date=22 February 2011 |title=Ronaldo Renews Corinthians Contract, Will Retire In 2011 |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-soccer-latam-brazil-ronaldo-idUKTRE61L4KK20100222 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220811210024/https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-soccer-latam-brazil-ronaldo-idUKTRE61L4KK20100222 |archive-date=11 August 2022}} Commenting on his weight issues following this announcement, Brian Homewood of The Guardian stated: "Sadly, Ronaldo's celebrity is now more of a draw than his skills on the pitch – Coldplay, Israeli prime minister Shimon Peres and actor Hugh Jackman have all visited São Paulo to get a picture with the roly‑poly star."{{cite news |last=Homewood |first=Brian |date=14 March 2010 |title=Ronaldo announces retirement after going from fab to flab |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/mar/14/ronaldo-announces-retirement-corinthians |access-date=22 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220811205727/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/mar/14/ronaldo-announces-retirement-corinthians |archive-date=11 August 2022}}

In February 2011, after Corinthians were eliminated from the 2011 Copa Libertadores by the Colombian team Deportes Tolima, Ronaldo announced his retirement from football, concluding an 18-year career.{{cite news |last=Gallas |first=Daniel |date=14 January 2011 |title=Ronaldo's troubled farewell |work=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/9397354.stm |access-date=14 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220811212457/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/9397354.stm |archive-date=11 August 2022}}{{Cite news |date=13 February 2011 |title=Ronaldo confirma o fim da carreira (In Portuguese) |language=pt |publisher=GloboEsporte |url=http://globoesporte.globo.com/futebol/times/corinthians/noticia/2011/02/para-jornal-ronaldo-confirma-o-fim-da-carreira-esta-na-hora.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220811212500/http://globoesporte.globo.com/futebol/times/corinthians/noticia/2011/02/para-jornal-ronaldo-confirma-o-fim-da-carreira-esta-na-hora.html |archive-date=11 August 2022}}{{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/880463/emotional-ronaldo-confirms-retirement-from-football?cc=5739|title=Ronaldo confirms retirement|date=14 January 2011|work=ESPN Soccernet|access-date=14 February 2011|archive-date=28 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628223154/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/880463/emotional-ronaldo-confirms-retirement-from-football?cc=5739|url-status=dead}} In an emotional press conference on 14 February, he cited pain and hypothyroidism as the reasons for his premature retirement.{{cite web |url=http://globoesporte.globo.com/futebol/noticia/2011/02/emocionado-ronaldo-revela-hipotiroidismo-e-da-adeus-ao-futebol.html |title=Emocionado, Ronaldo atribui adeus às dores e ao hipotireoidismo |access-date=14 February 2011 |date=14 February 2011 |publisher=Globo.com |archive-date=25 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180725111158/http://globoesporte.globo.com/futebol/noticia/2011/02/emocionado-ronaldo-revela-hipotiroidismo-e-da-adeus-ao-futebol.html |url-status=live }} He discovered he had hypothyroidism – a condition which slows down metabolism and causes weight gain – during tests with Milan in 2007.{{cite news |title=Brazil soccer legend Ronaldo retires |agency=CNN |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2011/SPORT/football/02/14/football.ronaldo.brazil.barcelona/index.html |access-date=4 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110214215817/http://edition.cnn.com/2011/SPORT/football/02/14/football.ronaldo.brazil.barcelona/index.html |archive-date=14 February 2011}}

The player said that the problem could be solved by taking hormones, but this practice is forbidden in football and would lead to a suspension for doping.{{cite web |url=http://globoesporte.globo.com/futebol/noticia/2011/02/emocionado-ronaldo-revela-hipotiroidismo-e-da-adeus-ao-futebol.html |title=Emocionado, Ronaldo atribui adeus às dores e ao hipotireoidismo |date=14 February 2011 |access-date=6 January 2021 |publisher=GloboEsporte.com |author=Carlos Augusto Ferrari e Leandro Canônico |archive-date=25 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180725111158/http://globoesporte.globo.com/futebol/noticia/2011/02/emocionado-ronaldo-revela-hipotiroidismo-e-da-adeus-ao-futebol.html |url-status=live }} However, doctors disagree that such treatment would be confused with doping, with some publicly claiming that Ronaldo had lied when he said could not treat his hypothyroidism.{{cite web |url=https://veja.abril.com.br/saude/ronaldo-mentiu-ao-dizer-que-nao-podia-tratar-hipotireoidismo/ |title=Ronaldo mentiu ao dizer que não podia tratar hipotireoidismo |date=14 February 2011 |access-date=6 January 2021 |publisher=VEJA |author=Jones Rossi |archive-date=11 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111222037/https://veja.abril.com.br/saude/ronaldo-mentiu-ao-dizer-que-nao-podia-tratar-hipotireoidismo/ |url-status=live }} Corinthians' own doctor said that Ronaldo did not have this disease. Hypothyroidism is usually associated with a slight weight gain (eminently due to fluid accumulation, not fat gain) and difficulty getting rid of extra pounds.{{cite web |url=https://www.viomundo.com.br/voce-escreve/especialistas-alertam-hipotiroidismo-nao-causa-obesidade-nem-o-remedio-para-a-doenca-da-doping.html |title=Especialistas alertam: Hipotiroidismo não causa obesidade nem remédio para a doença dá doping |date=14 February 2011 |access-date=6 January 2021 |publisher=Viomundo |author=Conceição Lemes |archive-date=25 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125165830/https://www.viomundo.com.br/voce-escreve/especialistas-alertam-hipotiroidismo-nao-causa-obesidade-nem-o-remedio-para-a-doenca-da-doping.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://revistaepoca.globo.com/Revista/Epoca/0,,EMI212342-15230,00-A+GORDURA+DE+RONALDO+A+TIREOIDE+E+A+PAIXAO.html |title=A gordura de Ronaldo, a tireoide e a paixão |date=18 February 2011 |access-date=6 January 2021 |publisher=Revista Época |author=Cristiane Segatto |archive-date=18 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210918170346/http://revistaepoca.globo.com/Revista/Epoca/0,,EMI212342-15230,00-A+GORDURA+DE+RONALDO+A+TIREOIDE+E+A+PAIXAO.html |url-status=dead }}

Ronaldo admitted his body had finally succumbed to the crippling litany of injuries that had blighted his career: "It's very hard to leave something that made me so happy. Mentally I wanted to continue but I have to acknowledge that I lost to my body. The head wants to go on but the body can't take any more. I think of an action but I can't do it the way I want to. It's time to go."{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/feb/14/ronaldo-retires-lost-to-my-body|title=Ronaldo admits in emotional retirement address: 'I lost to my body'|date=14 January 2011|work=Guardian|access-date=14 February 2011|location=London|archive-date=24 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224103907/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/feb/14/ronaldo-retires-lost-to-my-body|url-status=live}}

File:2017 Confederations Cup - Final - Ronaldo.jpg in 2017) won the trophy with Brazil in 1997]]

Ronaldo made his international debut for Brazil on 23 March 1994 in a friendly match in Recife against Argentina.{{cite web |url=http://www.espn.com.br/noticia/196119_confira-todos-os-numeros-e-gols-de-ronaldo-pela-selecao-brasileira |title=Confira todos os números e gols de Ronaldo pela seleção brasileira |work=ESPN.com |language=pt |date=8 June 2011 |access-date=26 May 2019 |archive-date=25 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190625193443/http://www.espn.com.br/noticia/196119_confira-todos-os-numeros-e-gols-de-ronaldo-pela-selecao-brasileira |url-status=live }} His first senior goal for Brazil came on 4 May 1994 in a 3–0 friendly win against Iceland.{{cite web |url=https://sportv.globo.com/site/programas/planeta-sportv/noticia/sorte-e-orgulho-islandeses-lembram-com-carinho-de-primeiro-gol-de-ronaldo-na-selecao.ghtml |title=Sorte e orgulho: islandeses relembram primeiro gol de Ronaldo pela Selação |publisher=Globo.com |last1=Ávila |first1=Carina |language=pt |date=10 May 2018 |access-date=26 May 2019 |archive-date=26 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190526023740/https://sportv.globo.com/site/programas/planeta-sportv/noticia/sorte-e-orgulho-islandeses-lembram-com-carinho-de-primeiro-gol-de-ronaldo-na-selecao.ghtml |url-status=dead }} He went to the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the United States aged 17, but did not play as Brazil went on to win the tournament. He stated he was "overjoyed" at the experience.{{cite news |title=Ronaldo: It was a fabulous feeling to kiss the Trophy |url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/ronaldo-it-was-a-fabulous-feeling-to-kiss-the-trophy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180606102546/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/ronaldo-it-was-a-fabulous-feeling-to-kiss-the-trophy |url-status=dead |archive-date=6 June 2018 |access-date=4 September 2018 |agency=FIFA.com.}} He was then known as Ronaldinho ("little Ronaldo" in Portuguese), because Ronaldo Rodrigues de Jesus, his older teammate, was also called Ronaldo and later nicknamed Ronaldão ("big Ronaldo") to further distinguish them.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2012/mar/14/the-knowledge-most-games-played|title=Was Ronaldo Originally Called Ronaldinho?|date=14 March 2012|author=Rob Bagchi and Rob Smyth|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=30 August 2018|archive-date=1 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170801031646/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2012/mar/14/the-knowledge-most-games-played|url-status=live}} Another player, Ronaldo de Assis Moreira, now widely known as Ronaldinho, was called Ronaldinho Gaúcho when he joined the Brazil team in 1999.{{cite news |last=Ryle |first=John |date=1 June 2002 |title=A kickabout with Sócrates |url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2002/jun/01/featuresreviews.guardianreview11 |access-date=2 September 2018 |work=The Guardian |archive-date=2 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180902183909/https://www.theguardian.com/books/2002/jun/01/featuresreviews.guardianreview11 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Seleção Brasileira (Brazilian National Team) 1998-1999 |url=https://www.rsssfbrasil.com/sel/brazil199899.htm |website=RSSF.com |access-date=1 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190703075712/http://www.rsssfbrasil.com/sel/brazil199899.htm |archive-date=3 July 2019 |url-status=dead }}

At the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Ronaldo used the name Ronaldinho again, since centre-back Ronaldo Guiaro, two years his senior, was one of his teammates. Brazil went on to win the bronze medal.[https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/olympic-bronze-medal-means-everything-to-me-says-ronaldo-7681529.html "Olympic bronze medal means everything to me, says Ronaldo"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200116142214/https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/olympic-bronze-medal-means-everything-to-me-says-ronaldo-7681529.html |date=16 January 2020 }}. London Evening Standard. Retrieved 25 May 2014 Ronaldo also represented Brazil in the 1995 Copa América (finishing second) and won both the 1997 and the 1999 editions of the tournament. He was named player of the tournament in 1997, was the top scorer in 1999 and scored in the finals of both, against Bolivia in 1997 and Uruguay in 1999.{{cite news |title=Copa América 1997 |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tables/97safull.html |access-date=8 September 2018 |agency=Rsssf.com |archive-date=5 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305145938/http://www.rsssf.com/tables/97safull.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Copa América 1999 |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tables/99safull.html |access-date=8 September 2018 |agency=Rsssf.com |archive-date=9 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150709153240/http://www.rsssf.com/tables/99safull.html |url-status=live }} He also took part in the friendly Tournoi de France in 1997, preceding the 1998 FIFA World Cup, scoring a goal as Brazil became runners-up. Ronaldo starred alongside Romário, dubbed the Ro-Ro attack, at the 1997 FIFA Confederations Cup, helping Brazil win their first ever Confederations Cup title where he finished as the third-highest scorer with 4 goals, scoring a hat-trick against Australia in the final.[https://web.archive.org/web/20130609194247/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/confederationscup/saudiarabia1997/index.html "FIFA Confederations Cup Saudi Arabia 1997"]. FIFA.com. Retrieved 6 November 2014 On the combination of Ronaldo and Romário, Will Sharp writes: "...to the elation of all those fortunate enough to have watched them, they found themselves together, fated with the opportunity to forge one of the most outrageous offensive pairings the game has ever seen. Their partnership was brief but it was inexplicably brilliant."{{cite news|title=The dream of Ronaldo and Romário|url=https://thesefootballtimes.co/2018/08/29/the-dream-of-ronaldo-and-romario/|access-date=13 October 2020|work=These Football Times|archive-date=17 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201017163157/https://thesefootballtimes.co/2018/08/29/the-dream-of-ronaldo-and-romario/|url-status=live}}

{{Quote box|width=28%|align=right|quote="The way he combined powerhouse athleticism with a poetic touch made for an awesome sight. In the 1990s, in his physical pomp, in his free-flowing prime, there was nothing remotely like him. By the time the 1998 World Cup came along his reputation had extended to the point of fully formed marvel. A happening."|source=—Amy Lawrence, The Guardian.}}

Ronaldo entered the 1998 FIFA World Cup billed as the world's greatest player by reporters in the sport. Jacob Steinberg of The Guardian writes, "In 1998, no one was as ferociously talented as Ronaldo, whose supernatural mixture of power, pace and skill had made him the player every child in the playground wanted to be; at the age of 21, the hopes and dreams of a nation rested on his shoulders."

Ronaldo scored four goals and made three assists en route to the final,{{cite web |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/scorer/wm-1998-in-frankreich/ |title=World Cup 1998 Fransa » Scorers |publisher=World Football |access-date=2 April 2020 |archive-date=11 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200411145948/https://www.worldfootball.net/scorer/wm-1998-in-frankreich/ |url-status=live }} scoring once and assisting Bebeto's goal in a 3–0 win against Morocco in the team's second group stage match,{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/soccer/longterm/worldcup98/results/articles/brazil_morocco.htm |title=Ronaldo Paves Way for Brazilian Win |newspaper=The Washington Post |last1=Muello |first1=Peter |date=16 June 1998 |access-date=2 April 2020 |archive-date=22 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022095423/https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/soccer/longterm/worldcup98/results/articles/brazil_morocco.htm |url-status=live }} netting twice in a 4–1 win against Chile in the round of 16, set–up two goals in Brazil's 3–2 victory over Denmark in the quarter-finals,{{cite web |url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/best-players-world-cup-france-98-zidane-ronaldo-thuram-bergkamp-suker |title=Ranked! The 10 best players of France 98 |publisher=FourFourTwo |last1=Wilson |first1=Jonathan |date=21 March 2020 |access-date=1 April 2020 |archive-date=3 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303053903/https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/best-players-world-cup-france-98-zidane-ronaldo-thuram-bergkamp-suker |url-status=live }} and scored once in the 1–1 draw against the Netherlands in the semi-finals, also netting Brazil's first penalty in the 4–2 shoot–out victory.{{cite web |url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/what-really-happened-ronaldo-1998-world-cup-final-his-own-words |title=What really happened to Ronaldo before the 1998 World Cup Final – in his own words |publisher=FourFourTwo |date=20 March 2020 |access-date=2 April 2020 |archive-date=14 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220414202417/https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/what-really-happened-ronaldo-1998-world-cup-final-his-own-words |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/4851296.stm |title=World Cup history - France 1998 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=4 May 2006 |access-date=2 April 2020 |archive-date=30 June 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120630025438/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/4851296.stm |url-status=live }} Hours before the final against France, Ronaldo suffered a convulsive fit.{{cite news |title=The great World Cup Final mystery |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport3/worldcup2002/hi/history/newsid_1749000/1749324.stm |work=BBC Sport |publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation |date=2 April 2002 |access-date=15 July 2014 |archive-date=17 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110217052606/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport3/worldcup2002/hi/history/newsid_1749000/1749324.stm |url-status=live }} At first, he was removed from the starting lineup 72 minutes before the match, and the team sheet (with Edmundo as his replacement) was submitted to the FIFA delegate.[https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2014/may/08/world-cup-stunning-moments-25-ronaldo-france "World Cup: 25 stunning moments … No15: Ronaldo falters as France win"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180929021532/https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2014/may/08/world-cup-stunning-moments-25-ronaldo-france |date=29 September 2018 }}. The Guardian. Retrieved 10 June 2014 The starting line up without Ronaldo was released to a stunned world media. The BBC's John Motson stated, "The scenes in the commentary box have been absolute mayhem and chaos." However, shortly before kick off, after pleading that he felt fine and requested to play, Ronaldo was reinstated by Brazil coach Mário Zagallo.

File:Coupe de la Ligue Lyon - Marseille Supporters de Lyon.jpg (interior pictured), where Ronaldo performed in the 1998 World Cup Final despite suffering a convulsive fit six hours before kick off]]

Ronaldo was the last Brazilian player out of the tunnel as the teams entered the field. During the playing of the Brazil national anthem the camera focused on him throughout, with Ronaldo showing little emotion.{{cite news |title=World Cup moments: Mystery surrounds Ronaldo in 1998 |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/international/world-cup-moments-mystery-surrounds-ronaldo-in-1998-1.3494639 |access-date=4 September 2018 |work=Irish Times |archive-date=10 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190410060225/https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/international/world-cup-moments-mystery-surrounds-ronaldo-in-1998-1.3494639 |url-status=live }} Steinberg states that Ronaldo "sleepwalked" through the final, which also saw him injured in a collision with French goalkeeper Fabien Barthez. Zagallo admitted the fears over Ronaldo affected his team psychologically, and stated "for the whole of the first half I was wondering whether to take him off", but feared a public outcry in Brazil had he done so. Brazil lost the match to hosts France 3–0.{{Cite news| title = Ronaldo's fit caused hotel panic| url = http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/world/events/1998/worldcup/news/1998/07/15/ronaldo_hotel/| publisher = CNN/SI| date = 15 July 1998| access-date = 10 July 2005| archive-date = 21 December 2010| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101221041315/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/world/events/1998/worldcup/news/1998/07/15/ronaldo_hotel/| url-status = live}} Ronaldo later reflected: "We lost the World Cup but I won another cup – my life."

An inquest was launched in Brazil, with team doctor Lídio Toledo telling the commission "imagine if I stopped Ronaldo playing and Brazil lost. At that moment I'd have to go and live on the North Pole." Adrian Williams, professor of clinical neurology at Birmingham University, said that Ronaldo should not have played, that he would have been feeling the after effects of the seizure, and "there is no way that he would have been able to perform to the best of his ability within 24 hours of his first fit – if it was his first fit."{{Cite news | title = Neurologist questions Ronaldo decision | url = http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/world/events/1998/worldcup/news/1998/07/14/ronaldo_convulsions/ | publisher = CNN/SI | date = 14 July 1998 | access-date = 10 July 2005 | archive-date = 2 January 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110102130158/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/world/events/1998/worldcup/news/1998/07/14/ronaldo_convulsions/ | url-status = dead }} Despite his sub-par performance in the final due to his seizure hours earlier, Ronaldo was awarded the Golden Ball as the best player of the tournament for his performances leading up to the final, and finished the tournament as the joint-third highest scorer.[https://web.archive.org/web/20141009173828/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/worldcup/france1998/ "Zidane lights the blue-touch paper for France"]. FIFA.com. Retrieved 6 November 2014 The nature of the incident set off a trail of questions and allegations which persisted for years, with Alex Bellos writing in The Guardian,

{{blockquote|When Ronaldo's health scare was revealed after the match, the situation's unique circumstances lent itself to conspiracy theories. Here was the world's most famous sportsman, about to take part in the most important match of his career, when he suddenly, inexplicably, fell ill. Was it stress, epilepsy, or had he been drugged?"{{cite news |title=The mystery of Paris that refuses to go away |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2002/jun/29/worldcupfootball2002.sport3 |access-date=1 October 2018 |newspaper=The Guardian |archive-date=2 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181002064524/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2002/jun/29/worldcupfootball2002.sport3 |url-status=live }}}}

A conspiracy surrounded Nike, the sportswear company who sponsored Ronaldo and the Brazilian national team, with some in Brazil believing the company had forced Ronaldo to play. The parliamentary inquiry was unable to find any wider conspiracy, although the Brazilian public remained unconvinced. Reporting for CNN, Don Riddell wrote, "It's one of the great mysteries of our time: not the Loch Ness Monster, Stonehenge or the Lost City of Atlantis; it's the case of the missing striker – not so much a whodunit, more a kind of a what the heck happened?"{{cite news |title=Ronaldo: 1998 World Cup final mystery and why Brazil's star striker barely turned up |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/07/12/football/ronaldo-brazil-world-cup-final-1998-cmd-spt-intl/index.html |date=12 July 2020 |access-date=5 August 2021 |agency=CNN |archive-date=30 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211030202330/https://edition.cnn.com/2020/07/12/football/ronaldo-brazil-world-cup-final-1998-cmd-spt-intl/index.html |url-status=live }}

File:Ronaldo 2002 cropped.jpg]]

Prior to the 2002 FIFA World Cup, Ronaldo had barely played since rupturing the cruciate ligament in his right knee in April 2000, and he missed Brazil's entire qualification campaign where, in his absence, the team had been poor.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/63432094|title=Ronaldo: The road to redemption with Brazil at the 2002 World Cup|date=14 November 2022|work=BBC Sport|access-date=16 November 2022|archive-date=16 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221116025223/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/63432094|url-status=live}}

Tim Vickery writes, "Without Ronaldo, Brazil were a shambles, fortunate even to get to the tournament. With him, it was a different story."[https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/legacy/timvickery/2010/10/can_ronaldo_prove_us_wrong_aga.html "Can Ronaldo prove us wrong again?"] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20140522164304/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/legacy/timvickery/2010/10/can_ronaldo_prove_us_wrong_aga.html |date=22 May 2014 }}. BBC. Retrieved 22 May 2014 In a remarkable comeback from injury that had threatened his career, Ronaldo led Brazil to their record fifth World Cup title, receiving the Golden Boot as top scorer with eight goals.[https://web.archive.org/web/20131220184753/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/worldcup/koreajapan2002/index.html "Redemption for Ronaldo as world's eyes turn east"]. FIFA.com. Retrieved 22 May 2014 Many publications regarded his personal triumph as "redemption" for what occurred at the previous World Cup.{{cite news |last1=Hayward |first1=Paul |title=Redemption sweet for Ronaldo |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/international/3030316/Redemption-sweet-for-Ronaldo.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/international/3030316/Redemption-sweet-for-Ronaldo.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=5 September 2018 |work=The Telegraph |date=30 June 2002}}{{cbignore}}{{cite news |title=Ronaldo's 2002 World Cup redemption... according to him: "In that moment, I felt complete" |url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/ronaldos-2002-world-cup-redemption-according-him-moment-i-felt-complete?page=0%2C1 |access-date=5 September 2018 |work=FourFourTwo |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180906052529/https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/ronaldos-2002-world-cup-redemption-according-him-moment-i-felt-complete?page=0%2C1 |archive-date=6 September 2018 |url-status=dead }} Ronaldo spoke about his obsession with lifting the World Cup trophy, having missed out in 1998. "I used to visualise the trophy in front of my eyes and imagine what a wonderful feeling it must be to hold it up in the air. It was a fabulous feeling actually to hold it in my hands and kiss it." Dubbed the "three R's", Ronaldo starred in a formidable attack alongside Rivaldo and Ronaldinho, and the trio were named in the FIFA World Cup All-Star Team.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport3/worldcup2002/hi/other_news/newsid_2071000/2071344.stm "Campbell makes All-Star team"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190624165146/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport3/worldcup2002/hi/other_news/newsid_2071000/2071344.stm |date=24 June 2019 }}. BBC Sport. Retrieved 21 November 2013

Ronaldo scored against every opponent in the tournament except in the quarter-finals against England.{{cite news |title=World Cup 2014 countdown: Ronaldo's comeback at the 2002 World Cup |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/international/world-cup-2014-countdown-ronaldos-comeback-at-the-2002-world-cup-9206261.html |access-date=5 September 2018 |work=The Independent |archive-date=6 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180906091842/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/international/world-cup-2014-countdown-ronaldos-comeback-at-the-2002-world-cup-9206261.html |url-status=live }} The match-winner against Turkey in the semi-final, with the winning goal a toe-poke finish with little back-lift while on the run – a finish he learned while playing futsal in his youth – the final whistle saw fans behind the goal hoist huge white letters to spell out his name, akin to the Hollywood Sign.{{cite news |last1=Lawrence |first1=Amy |title=Ronaldo's redemption: recalling the Brazil striker's World Cup fairytale 15 years on |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/jun/29/ronaldo-brazil-world-cup-final-2002-japan |date=29 June 2017 |access-date=30 August 2018 |work=The Guardian |archive-date=31 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180831072035/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/jun/29/ronaldo-brazil-world-cup-final-2002-japan |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Ronaldo's Redemption: 2002 World Cup documentary |url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ZN99b8SJYI8 | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211028/ZN99b8SJYI8| archive-date=28 October 2021|website=YouTube | date=27 March 2018 |publisher=FourFourTwo |access-date=25 September 2018}}{{cbignore}} Much attention was on his haircut – in which his head was shaved except the forelock – done as a deliberate distraction to shift media attention away from a leg injury. He revealed that "when I arrived in training with this haircut everybody stopped talking about the injury".{{cite news |title=Ronaldo reveals the real reason for his wedge haircut at the 2002 World Cup |url=https://www.foxsports.com/soccer/story/ronaldo-reveals-the-real-reason-for-his-wedge-haircut-at-the-2002-world-cup-022017 |access-date=2 September 2018 |agency=Fox Sports |archive-date=3 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180903050017/https://www.foxsports.com/soccer/story/ronaldo-reveals-the-real-reason-for-his-wedge-haircut-at-the-2002-world-cup-022017 |url-status=live }} In the final against Germany in Yokohama, Japan, Ronaldo scored twice in Brazil's 2–0 win and tied Pelé's Brazilian record of 12 career World Cup goals.{{cite news |title=Ronaldo's Sweetest Vindication |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/07/01/sports/soccer-ronaldo-s-sweetest-vindication.html |newspaper=The New York Times |date=1 July 2002 |access-date=22 May 2010 |first=Jere |last=Longman |archive-date=1 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110501071146/http://www.nytimes.com/2002/07/01/sports/soccer-ronaldo-s-sweetest-vindication.html |url-status=live }} Ronaldo was the first player to seek out German players to offer his condolences, before he was congratulated by Pelé when receiving his World Cup winners medal.[http://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/football-2002-fifa-world-cup-final-yokohama-japan-30th-june-news-photo/78976001 "FIFA World Cup Final. Yokohama, Japan. 30th June 2002. Brazil's Ronaldo greets Pele after receiving his winners medal."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612185925/https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/football-2002-fifa-world-cup-final-yokohama-japan-30th-june-news-photo/78976001 |date=12 June 2018 }}. Getty Images. Retrieved 22 May 2014 Gérard Saillant, the French surgeon who operated on Ronaldo's knee, was in the crowd as his guest, and stated after the game; "This gives hope to everyone who is injured, even those who aren't sportsmen, to see that by fighting you can make it. He's back to where he was; it's hugely satisfying and I am very moved."[https://www.theguardian.com/football/2002/jul/01/worldcupfootball2002.sport3 "Free of demons and back in land of the living"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190714161932/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2002/jul/01/worldcupfootball2002.sport3 |date=14 July 2019 }}. The Guardian. Retrieved 22 May 2014

Ronaldo received a number of accolades for his achievement, including the Laureus World Sports Award for Comeback of the Year and the BBC World Sport Star of the Year, and in December 2002 he dedicated his third FIFA World Player of the Year award to the medical team which helped him recover.[http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/news/2002/12/17/fifa_honors/ "Ronaldo wins world player award for third time"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140522212901/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/news/2002/12/17/fifa_honors/ |date=22 May 2014 }}. Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 22 May 2014{{cite web |url=http://laureus17.laureus.com/awards-history/2003/nominees/comeback/ |title=Laureus World Comeback of the Year 2003 nominees |publisher=Laureus |access-date=21 October 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171023102714/http://laureus17.laureus.com/awards-history/2003/nominees/comeback/ |archive-date=23 October 2017 }}{{cite news |title=Ronaldo tipped to claim hat-trick |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/international/3039549/Ronaldo-tipped-to-claim-hat-trick.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/international/3039549/Ronaldo-tipped-to-claim-hat-trick.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=4 September 2018 |work=The Telegraph}}{{cbignore}} In a 2017 interview with Fox Sports, Ronaldo stated, "the best team I played in was the Brazilian one in 2002, we felt that we could always score. It was a team without any vanity, or individuals. The collective was important."{{cite news |title=Ronaldo: "I didn't want to leave Real Madrid" |url=https://en.as.com/en/2017/05/28/football/1495962462_051421.html |access-date=31 July 2018 |agency=As |archive-date=1 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180801024232/https://en.as.com/en/2017/05/28/football/1495962462_051421.html |url-status=dead }}

File:Ronaldo mural.jpg style of play. The work was commissioned by Nike prior to the 2006 World Cup in Germany.]]

On 2 June 2004, Ronaldo scored an unusual hat-trick of penalties for Brazil against arch-rivals Argentina in a 2006 World Cup qualifying match, which put them top of the group.{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/3771951.stm |title=Brazil 3-1 Argentina: Ronaldo hit a hat-trick of penalties as Brazil sank arch-rivals Argentina 3-1 in a World Cup qualifier |date=3 June 2004 |access-date=19 June 2021 |work=BBC Sport |archive-date=4 July 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040704002305/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/3771951.stm |url-status=live }} With 10 goals in 15 games, including a goal against Venezuela in the last game to secure first place, Ronaldo was the South American top scorer in Brazil's qualifying campaign.{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2006/team_guides/4369120.stm |title=World Cup 2006: Brazil team guide |date=22 May 2006 |access-date=19 June 2021 |work=BBC Sport |archive-date=7 March 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090307133741/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2006/team_guides/4369120.stm |url-status=live }} Prior to the tournament, questions were asked of his weight and fitness,{{cite web |url=https://www.eurosport.com/football/worldcup/2006/ronaldo-what-is-fat_sto894714/story.shtml |title=Ronaldo: "What is fat?" |date=29 May 2006 |access-date=19 June 2021 |work=Eurosport |archive-date=30 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231030215937/https://www.eurosport.com/geoblocking.shtml |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Homewood |first=Brian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2006/jun/10/worldcup2006.sport10 |title=Ronaldo fed up with 'fat' jibes |date=10 June 2006 |access-date=19 June 2021 |work=The Guardian |archive-date=24 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624202149/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2006/jun/10/worldcup2006.sport10 |url-status=live }} but was declared fit for Brazil's opening match with Croatia.{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2006/teams/brazil/5052234.stm |title=Ronaldo fit for Brazil Cup opener |date=6 June 2006 |access-date=19 June 2021 |work=BBC Sport |archive-date=30 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231030215937/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2006/teams/brazil/5052234.stm |url-status=live }}

At the 2006 World Cup, Ronaldo was part of a much-publicized "magic quartet" alongside Adriano, Ronaldinho and Kaká.{{cite news |last=Vickery |first=Tim |title=Kaka's spectacular run with Milan and Brazil overshadowed by his successors |url=http://www.espn.com/soccer/club/brazil/205/blog/post/3316565/kakas-spectacular-run-with-milan-and-brazil-overshadowed-by-his-successors |agency=ESPN |access-date=30 July 2018 |date=18 December 2017 |archive-date=12 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612142032/http://www.espn.com/soccer/club/brazil/205/blog/post/3316565/kakas-spectacular-run-with-milan-and-brazil-overshadowed-by-his-successors |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Brazil give magic quartet another chance to shine |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2006/jun/27/worldcup2006.sport9 |last1=Bellos |first1=Alex |last2=Brodkin |first2=Jon |location=Dortmund |date=27 June 2006 |newspaper=The Guardian |access-date=8 September 2018 |archive-date=8 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180908093107/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2006/jun/27/worldcup2006.sport9 |url-status=live }} The all-star Brazilian team was promoted as masters of Joga Bonito, "the beautiful game", which was advertised by Nike before the tournament.Antony Young (2007). "Profitable Marketing Communications: A Guide to Marketing Return on Investment". p. 138. Kogan Page Publishers,Steve Hatch, Jim Taylor (2009). "Rigorous Magic: Communication Ideas and their Application". John Wiley & Sons. Although Brazil won their first two group games against Croatia and Australia, Ronaldo was repeatedly jeered for being overweight and slow,[https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/ronaldo-set-for-corinthians-unveiling-1062426.html?action=gallery&ino=10 "At the 2006 World Cup Ronaldo was jeered for being overweight and too slow"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180725112534/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/ronaldo-set-for-corinthians-unveiling-1062426.html?action=gallery&ino=10 |date=25 July 2018 }}. The Independent. Retrieved 26 May 2014 but coach Carlos Alberto Parreira kept him in the starting lineup.{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2006/4853416.stm |title=Japan 1-4 Brazil: Brazil striker Ronaldo became the joint highest scorer in World Cup history as he scored twice against Japan |date=22 June 2006 |access-date=19 June 2021 |work=BBC Sport |archive-date=3 February 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070203115939/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2006/4853416.stm |url-status=live }}

With two goals against Japan in the third match, Ronaldo became the 20th player to score in three World Cups and also equalled the all-time World Cup finals scoring record of fourteen, held by Gerd Müller (Ronaldo scored at France 98, Korea/Japan 2002 and Germany 2006). He then broke Müller's record in the Round of 16 match against Ghana by scoring his fifteenth-career World Cup goal.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2006/4991528.stm "Brazil 3-0 Ghana"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090314022926/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2006/4991528.stm |date=14 March 2009 }}. BBC Sport. Retrieved 26 May 2014 With his third goal of the tournament, Ronaldo became only the second player ever, after Jürgen Klinsmann, to score at least three goals in each of three World Cups.Jimmy Greaves (2008). "Football's Great Heroes and Entertainers". p. 1998. Hatchtt. Brazil, however, were knocked out by France 1–0 with a goal by striker Thierry Henry in the quarter-finals.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2006/4991616.stm "Brazil 0-1 France"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090122073411/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2006/4991616.stm |date=22 January 2009 }}. BBC Sport. Retrieved 26 May 2014 Ronaldo was awarded the Bronze Shoe as the third-highest goal-scorer of the World Cup.{{cite news|title=Official FIFA Awards: Zidane wins adidas Golden Ball award |url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2006/m=7/news=2006-fifa-world-cup-official-fifa-awards-zidane-wins-adidas-golden-bal-16415.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150929125617/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2006/m=7/news=2006-fifa-world-cup-official-fifa-awards-zidane-wins-adidas-golden-bal-16415.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=29 September 2015|agency=FIFA.com|date=25 March 2018}}

Having been listed in Guinness World Records, Ronaldo stated, "I am proud of my career and of the records I set. But I know that one day they will be broken."{{cite news |title=World Cup Rewind: Ronaldo sets all-time goals world record |url=http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2018/6/world-cup-rewind-ronaldo-sets-all-time-goals-world-record-328632 |access-date=13 September 2018 |work=Guinness World Records |archive-date=19 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180919000051/http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2018/6/world-cup-rewind-ronaldo-sets-all-time-goals-world-record-328632 |url-status=live }} Ronaldo and Klinsmann's shared record of at least three goals in three separate World Cup finals was broken by German striker Miroslav Klose, who has a record of at least four goals in each of three tournaments, having netted five at both the 2002 and 2006 finals, and four at the 2010 tournament.{{cite news|title=World Cup rewind: Miroslav Klose beats Ronaldo's all-time goals record|url=http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2018/6/world-cup-rewind-miroslav-klose-beats-ronaldos-all-time-goals-record-as-germany-524073|access-date=4 September 2018|work=Guinness World Records|archive-date=4 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180904084703/http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2018/6/world-cup-rewind-miroslav-klose-beats-ronaldos-all-time-goals-record-as-germany-524073|url-status=live}} Ronaldo finished with fifteen goals in nineteen World Cup matches, for an average of 0.79 per game.{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/statisticsandrecords/players/player=92699/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080314222156/http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/statisticsandrecords/players/player=92699/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=14 March 2008 |title=FIFA Player Statistics: Ronaldo |publisher=FIFA.com |date=25 July 2014 |access-date=30 July 2014}} His teammate Kaká reflected, "Ronaldo is the best player I have ever played with. I have seen il Fenomeno do things nobody else has ever done."{{cite news |title=Kaka: I prefer Brazilian Ronaldo over Cristiano |url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/584/brazil/2013/11/05/4384755/kaka-i-prefer-brazilian-ronaldo-over-cristiano |access-date=20 September 2018 |work=Goal |archive-date=20 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180920234408/http://www.goal.com/en/news/584/brazil/2013/11/05/4384755/kaka-i-prefer-brazilian-ronaldo-over-cristiano |url-status=live }}

File:Football against poverty 2014 - Ronaldo.jpg in Bern, March 2014]]

In February 2011, it was announced that Ronaldo would be given one last match for Brazil, a friendly against Romania in São Paulo on 7 June 2011, five years after his last match with the national team.[https://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/jun/08/ronaldo-emotional-farewell-brazil-romania "Ronaldo makes emotional farewell appearance for Brazil against Romania"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180905022925/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/jun/08/ronaldo-emotional-farewell-brazil-romania |date=5 September 2018 }}. The Guardian. Retrieved 26 May 2014 Brazilian Football Confederation official Ricardo Teixeira stated that it was fitting that his final game should take place in Brazil while representing his nation.[https://web.archive.org/web/20110305184017/http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/news/newsid=1391398.html Ronaldo to receive Seleção swansong]. FIFA.com (2 March 2011). Retrieved on 3 December 2011.

Ronaldo played for 15 minutes in a match that ended with a Brazilian victory with a goal from Fred.{{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/926698/brazil-win-as-ronaldo-bows-out?cc=5739|title=Brazil win as Ronaldo bows out|date=8 June 2011|work=ESPN Soccernet|access-date=8 June 2011|archive-date=11 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110611043129/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/926698/brazil-win-as-ronaldo-bows-out?cc=5739|url-status=dead}} Fred celebrated his goal with Ronaldo's famous 'finger wag' celebration along with his Brazilian teammates. Ronaldo was introduced after 30 minutes, partnering 19-year-old Neymar in attack, and had three shots on target which were saved by the Romanian goalkeeper Ciprian Tătărușanu. After the first half ended, Ronaldo made a farewell speech to the crowd.{{cite web |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/soccer-dirty-tackle/ronaldo-laughs-off-misses-final-match-brazil-031009525.html |title=Ronaldo laughs off misses in his final match for Brazil |work=Yahoo Sports |date=8 June 2011 |access-date=23 September 2011 |archive-date=31 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180831141117/https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/soccer-dirty-tackle/ronaldo-laughs-off-misses-final-match-brazil-031009525.html |url-status=live }} With 62 goals for Brazil Ronaldo retired from international football as the second-highest goalscorer for his country, behind only Pelé (Neymar has since surpassed Pelé, with Ronaldo the third-highest scorer as of September 2023).{{cite web|url=https://www.sportingnews.com/in/football/news/brazil-top-scorers-all-time-most-goals-pele-neymar/cfhi9pyu9vlr2wm7veu9eysg|title=Brazil top scorers of all time: Complete list of most goals with Pele, Ronaldo, Neymar and other legends.|date=12 September 2023|access-date=14 September 2023|archive-date=30 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231030215937/https://www.sportingnews.com/in/football/news/brazil-top-scorers-all-time-most-goals-pele-neymar/cfhi9pyu9vlr2wm7veu9eysg|url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima - Goals in International Matches |url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/ronaldo-intlg.html |website=RSSSF |access-date=14 February 2021 |archive-date=8 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110208211021/http://rsssf.com/miscellaneous/ronaldo-intlg.html |url-status=live }}

File:Ronaldo Nazário.jpg held at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Russia]]

On 13 December 2011 Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane played a charity match with their friends against former and current players of the German team Hamburg in the ninth edition of the Match Against Poverty series, which Ronaldo and Zidane established in 2003.{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/news-media/news/01f8-0f8650f87bd9-78dfc507a408-1000--hamburg-to-host-2011-match-against-poverty/ |title=Hamburg to host 2011 Match Against Poverty – |publisher=UEFA |date=8 December 2011 |access-date=14 April 2012 |archive-date=25 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130525164911/http://www.uefa.com/uefa/socialresponsibility/charity/news/newsid=1698567.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://sport.blic.rs/Fudbal/Svetski-fudbal/207247/Ronalda-ne-napusta-osecaj-za-gol-video |title=Blic Sport | Ronalda ne napušta osećaj za gol /video/ |publisher=Sport.blic.rs |access-date=14 April 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120430000920/http://sport.blic.rs/Fudbal/Svetski-fudbal/207247/Ronalda-ne-napusta-osecaj-za-gol-video |archive-date=30 April 2012}}{{cite web |url=http://www.beta.undp.org/undp/en/home/ourwork/goodwillambassadors/match_against_poverty.html |title=Match Against Poverty | UNDP |publisher=Beta.undp.org |date=10 April 2012 |access-date=14 April 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120228200328/http://www.beta.undp.org/undp/en/home/ourwork/goodwillambassadors/match_against_poverty.html |archive-date=28 February 2012}} In December 2012, Ronaldo and Zidane reunited for the Match Against Poverty in Porto Alegre, Portugal, with the field littered with World Cup winners from France and Brazil, which also saw 1982 World Cup star Zico (Ronaldo's childhood idol) turn out for Ronaldo's team.{{cite news|title=Zinedine Zidane And Ronaldo Reunite For Charity Match|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/12/20/zinedine-zidane-ronaldo_n_2336045.html|work=Huffington Post|date=4 April 2017|access-date=4 April 2017|archive-date=25 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180925215814/https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/12/20/zinedine-zidane-ronaldo_n_2336045.html|url-status=live}} In January 2013, Ronaldo was named one of the six ambassadors of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.[https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/organisation/ambassador/overview.html "Brazil 2014 Ambassadors Named"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150208154245/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/organisation/ambassador/overview.html |date=8 February 2015 }}. FIFA.com. Retrieved 1 March 2021

Ronaldo was chosen as a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in 2000 as he had the highest global appeal among sportspeople, and he accepted the role as he saw it as "an obligation" to help with causes around the world.{{cite news |title=The Revival Of The Fittest |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2002/may/19/worldcupfootball2002.football19 |access-date=4 September 2018 |work=The Guardian |archive-date=5 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180905065257/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2002/may/19/worldcupfootball2002.football19 |url-status=live }} Ronaldo played in the UNDP's 11th Match Against Poverty on 4 March 2014 against a Zidane XI in Bern, Switzerland, with proceeds raised helping the recovery efforts in the Philippines in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan.[http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/ourwork/goodwillambassadors/match_against_poverty/ "Match Against Poverty"].{{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171006235451/http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/ourwork/goodwillambassadors/match_against_poverty/ |date=6 October 2017 }}. United Nations Development Programme. Retrieved 25 September 2014 Joined by Didier Drogba in attack, Ronaldo scored a hat-trick in the next year's match on 21 April 2015 in St Etienne, France, with proceeds going towards the African countries most affected by the Ebola epidemic.{{cite news|title=Match Against Poverty: Brazil's Ronaldo stars|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/video/?videoid=4186153739001|access-date=23 May 2015|newspaper=The Independent|issue=21 April 2015|archive-date=4 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150904072707/http://www.independent.co.uk/video/?videoid=4186153739001|url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=Didier Drogba to join Ronaldo and Zidane in 12th annual Match Against Poverty |url=http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/presscenter/pressreleases/2015/04/10/didier-drogba-to-join-ronaldo-and-zidane-in-12th-annual-match-against-poverty.html |access-date=28 August 2018 |agency=UNDP |archive-date=5 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200605004521/https://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/presscenter/pressreleases/2015/04/10/didier-drogba-to-join-ronaldo-and-zidane-in-12th-annual-match-against-poverty.html |url-status=dead }}

On 14 June 2018, Ronaldo featured at the 2018 FIFA World Cup opening ceremony held at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Russia. He walked out with a child wearing a Russia 2018 shirt at the beginning, and returned at the end of the ceremony with the official ball of the 2018 World Cup – Adidas Telstar 18 – which was sent into space with the International Space Station crew in March and came back to Earth in early June.{{cite news |title=World Cup 2018: Ronaldo and Robbie Williams star in opening ceremony |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44487420 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=14 June 2018 |access-date=14 June 2018 |archive-date=15 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180615140301/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44487420 |url-status=live }}

Ronaldo is regarded as one of the greatest and most complete forwards of all time. Nicknamed Il (or O) Fenomeno (the phenomenon),{{cite magazine |title=Ronaldo at Valladolid: Inside the Brazil legend's reinvention |url=https://www.si.com/soccer/2021/03/29/reinventing-the-one-and-only-ronaldo-daily-cover |access-date=9 November 2022 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |archive-date=10 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221110042809/https://www.si.com/soccer/2021/03/29/reinventing-the-one-and-only-ronaldo-daily-cover |url-status=live }} he was a prolific goalscorer, and despite being more of an individualistic attacker, he was also capable of providing assists for his teammates, due to his vision, passing and crossing ability.{{cite web|title=Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima: A Tribute to O Fenômeno|url=http://backpagefootball.com/ronaldo-luis-nazario-de-lima-a-tribute-to-o-fenomeno/37372/|website=Backpagefootball.com|date=16 April 2012|access-date=13 December 2014|archive-date=20 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190620182024/http://backpagefootball.com/ronaldo-luis-nazario-de-lima-a-tribute-to-o-fenomeno/37372/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=Ronaldo e i suoi gol|url=http://archiviostorico.gazzetta.it/1997/aprile/16/Ronaldo_suoi_gol_ga_0_9704164131.shtml|newspaper=La Gazzetta dello Sport|language=it|date=16 April 1997|access-date=18 September 2014|archive-date=6 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806141545/http://archiviostorico.gazzetta.it/1997/aprile/16/Ronaldo_suoi_gol_ga_0_9704164131.shtml|url-status=live}} He was an extremely powerful, fast, and technical player, with excellent movement, as well as being a composed finisher.{{cite news|title=Curtain falls on glittering careers|url=https://www.fifa.com/world-match-centre/news/newsid/156/132/9/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131217021801/http://www.fifa.com/world-match-centre/news/newsid/156/132/9/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=17 December 2013|agency=FIFA.com|access-date=18 September 2014}}{{cite web|title=Ronaldo la resurrezione diventa... un film|url=http://www.affaritaliani.it/sport/ronaldo-film-280409_1.html?refresh_ce|language=it|website=Affaritaliani.it|access-date=18 September 2014|archive-date=21 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181121193244/http://www.affaritaliani.it/sport/ronaldo-film-280409_1.html?refresh_ce|url-status=dead}}{{cite book |last1=Ibrahimović|first1=Zlatan |title=I Am Zlatan Ibrahimović|date=27 June 2013 |publisher=Penguin |location=London |page=55}} Highly regarded for his technical ability, Ronaldo was able to use both feet, despite being naturally right footed,{{cite web|title=Ronaldo, il 'fenomeno' brasiliano|url=http://qn.quotidiano.net/golden_foot_2007/2007/05/11/11194-ronaldo_fenomeno_brasiliano.shtml|language=it|website=Quotidiano|date=11 May 2007|access-date=18 September 2014|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304083228/http://qn.quotidiano.net/golden_foot_2007/2007/05/11/11194-ronaldo_fenomeno_brasiliano.shtml|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Mercato Juventus, Ronaldo: "Il mio erede e' Leandro Damiao"|url=http://www.calciomercato.it/news/154090/Mercato-Juventus-Ronaldo-Il-mio-erede-e-Leandro-Damiao.html|language=it|website=Calciomercato.it|access-date=18 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818152255/http://www.calciomercato.it/news/154090/Mercato-Juventus-Ronaldo-Il-mio-erede-e-Leandro-Damiao.html|archive-date=18 August 2016|url-status=dead}} and is considered one of the most skillful dribblers in the game.{{cite web|title=Ronaldo tra Pele' e Moriero|url=http://archiviostorico.gazzetta.it/1998/gennaio/13/Ronaldo_tra_Pele_Moriero_ga_0_9801133039.shtml|newspaper=La Gazzetta dello Sport|access-date=18 September 2014|archive-date=25 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180725112713/http://archiviostorico.gazzetta.it/1998/gennaio/13/Ronaldo_tra_Pele_Moriero_ga_0_9801133039.shtml|url-status=live}} Ronaldo would also operate outside the penalty area before running with the ball towards goal, with Rob Smyth writing, "he played like every attack had a 10-second deadline.. he would explode into life with no warning for defenders." He frequently beat several players when dribbling at speed, and excelled in one on one situations, due to his ball control, acceleration, agility, balance and nimble footwork in his prime.{{cite web|title=Ronaldo e Batistuta. il piacere del calcio|magazine=La Gazetta Dello Sport|url=http://archiviostorico.gazzetta.it/1997/settembre/21/Ronaldo_Batistuta_piacere_del_calcio_ga_0_9709216353.shtml|access-date=18 September 2014|archive-date=25 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180725111247/http://archiviostorico.gazzetta.it/1997/settembre/21/Ronaldo_Batistuta_piacere_del_calcio_ga_0_9709216353.shtml|url-status=live}}

His coach at Barcelona, Bobby Robson, commented: "Ronaldo could start from the halfway line and the whole stadium would ignite. He was the fastest thing I've ever seen running with the ball. Had he managed to stay free of injury, he had every chance of becoming the best footballer ever." In one on one situations, Ronaldo often used elaborate feints to trick and beat defenders and goalkeepers; he popularised the use of many football tricks such as the elastico and the step over.{{cite web|title=Milan, Ambrosini risolve i problemi continua l' inseguimento Champions|date=19 March 2007|url=http://ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/2007/03/19/milan-ambrosini-risolve-problemi-continua-inseguimento.html|publisher=la Repubblica.it|access-date=18 September 2014|archive-date=25 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180725110630/http://ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/2007/03/19/milan-ambrosini-risolve-problemi-continua-inseguimento.html|url-status=live}} Sid Lowe of Sports Illustrated wrote, "When he was one on one with the goalkeeper, you knew that he would score. He was so natural, so cool, so utterly in control. He would dip the shoulder, step over, and bang!"

His Barcelona teammate Óscar García observed, "I'd never seen anyone play football with such technical ability, creativity and precision at that incredible speed. What stood out to all of us, from the moment we met Ronnie, was that he could do things which other players found very difficult and make them look easy. But he could also produce those things while running at an unbelievable, explosive pace." With his combination of speed, skill and finishing Ronaldinho called Ronaldo "the most complete striker there has ever been", a view echoed by Zlatan Ibrahimović, who stated, "as a football player, he was complete. There will never, in my view, be a better player than him."[http://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Ligue-1/05-06-2014/ibrahimovic-ronaldo-fenomeno-non-ci-sara-mai-giocatore-migliore-lui-80846175186.shtml "Ibrahimovic: Ronaldo il Fenomeno, non ci sarà mai un giocatore migliore di lui"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200116043036/https://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Ligue-1/05-06-2014/ibrahimovic-ronaldo-fenomeno-non-ci-sara-mai-giocatore-migliore-lui-80846175186.shtml |date=16 January 2020 }}. La Gazetta Dello Sport. Retrieved 19 September 2014 The goalscoring idol of Lionel Messi, the Argentine states "Ronaldo was the best striker I've ever seen. He was so fast he could score from nothing."{{cite news |title=Messi: Brazil striker Ronaldo my hero |url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/messi-brazil-striker-ronaldo-my-hero |access-date=8 September 2018 |work=FourFourTwo |archive-date=8 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180908164432/https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/messi-brazil-striker-ronaldo-my-hero |url-status=live }} Wanting to emulate Ronaldo growing up, Egypt and Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah opined, "The ability, the speed, the intelligence, he had everything".{{cite news |title=Mohamed Salah Names 2002 World Cup Winner as Favourite Brazilian Footballer of All Time |url=https://www.90min.com/posts/6304151-mohamed-salah-names-2002-world-cup-winner-as-favourite-brazilian-footballer-of-all-time |access-date=3 October 2021 |work=90min |archive-date=3 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211003203806/https://www.90min.com/posts/6304151-mohamed-salah-names-2002-world-cup-winner-as-favourite-brazilian-footballer-of-all-time |url-status=live }} Naming Ronaldo as an inspiration, Wayne Rooney stated, "as an out-and-out forward he was probably the best."{{cite news |title=World Cup 2014: England's Wayne Rooney looks to the 'original' Ronaldo for inspiration |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/players/wayne-rooney/10850582/World-Cup-2014-Englands-Wayne-Rooney-looks-to-the-original-Ronaldo-for-inspiration.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/players/wayne-rooney/10850582/World-Cup-2014-Englands-Wayne-Rooney-looks-to-the-original-Ronaldo-for-inspiration.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=22 October 2021 |newspaper=The Telegraph}}{{cbignore}} The outstanding influence for a generation of strikers, from Karim Benzema to Sergio Agüero, with Romelu Lukaku stating "he changed the dimension of a striker" and could "dribble like a winger, run like a sprinter", Zlatan added, "nobody influenced football and the players who emerged as much as Ronaldo".{{cite news |last1=Smith |first1=Rory |title=Ronaldo deserves more credit as one of the game's greatest players |url=http://www.espn.com/soccer/club/brazil/205/blog/post/2840087/ronaldo-deserves-more-credit-as-one-of-the-games-best |agency=ESPN |access-date=25 August 2018 |date=30 March 2016 |archive-date=25 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180825143342/http://www.espn.com/soccer/club/brazil/205/blog/post/2840087/ronaldo-deserves-more-credit-as-one-of-the-games-best |url-status=live }}

{{Blockquote|Ronaldo, as so many of those who looked up to him acknowledge, changed what it is to be a centre-forward. Every time you see a striker who is expected to hold the ball up, beat players, win headers, shoot from range, drop deep, do everything a striker can possibly do – it might be worth remembering him. He shifted boundaries, challenged convention, just as much as Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have altered our perceptions of what a winger might be. Ronaldo, the original Ronaldo, inspired a phalanx of imitators, players we see on our screens every weekend. But he also turned the game so that it will always look just a little bit like him. More than most, he made that No. 9 his own.|Rory Smith writing for ESPN on Ronaldo changing the game for strikers, March 2016.}}

Emilio Butragueño stated, "Ronaldo creates a goalscoring opportunity where it doesn't exist. Most strikers need the midfielders and their teammates, but he does not." On his speed of thought, Kaká said "For me the best players are those who are able to think of a play and execute it quickest and in the best way possible, and Ronaldo was the best at that. The speed of thought he had – and the speed he had to carry out his actions – were perfect."{{cite news |title=Happy 40th birthday, El Fenomeno! The real Ronaldo is the greatest No.9 in history |url=http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2865/comment/2016/09/22/27768962/happy-40th-birthday-el-fenomeno-the-real-ronaldo-is-the-greatest- |access-date=14 September 2018 |work=Goal |archive-date=15 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180915042424/http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2865/comment/2016/09/22/27768962/happy-40th-birthday-el-fenomeno-the-real-ronaldo-is-the-greatest- |url-status=live }} Ronaldo was also a strong and powerful player who could shield the ball from the opposition, with former Italian defender Alessandro Nesta (who faced Ronaldo in a high-profile one on one duel in the 1998 UEFA Cup final which was billed as "the best attacker against the best defender in Serie A") stating: "It was the worst experience of my career. Ronaldo is the hardest attacker I've ever had to face."[http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/7138/goal-hall-of-fame/2014/11/14/6136581/he-was-impossible-to-stop-what-they-said-about-ronaldo "'He was impossible to stop' - What they said about Ronaldo"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190927225743/https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/7138/goal-hall-of-fame/2014/11/14/6136581/he-was-impossible-to-stop-what-they-said-about-ronaldo |date=27 September 2019 }}. Goal. Retrieved 17 January 2015 Asked who was the toughest opponent of his career, Fabio Cannavaro responded, "I have no doubt, Ronaldo, the phenomenon. For my generation he was what Maradona or Pelé were for the previous ones. He was unmarkable."{{cite news |title=Veltroni intervista Cannavaro: «Scudetto al Napoli. Buffon vale Maradona |url=http://www.corrieredellosport.it/news/calcio/serie-a/2016/02/13-8431418/veltroni_intervista_cannavaro_scudetto_al_napoli_buffon_vale_maradona/ |access-date=3 September 2018 |newspaper=Corriere dello Sport |archive-date=17 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180617015228/http://www.corrieredellosport.it/news/calcio/serie-a/2016/02/13-8431418/veltroni_intervista_cannavaro_scudetto_al_napoli_buffon_vale_maradona/ |url-status=live }} Sid Lowe compared Ronaldo's ability to take on a number of opponents on a single run to what rugby player Jonah Lomu was doing in the same era. Regarding Ronaldo's influence on the evolution of the centre-forward role, French former forward Thierry Henry said: "He did things nobody had seen before. He, together with Romário and George Weah, reinvented the centre-forward position. They were the first to drop from the box to pick up the ball in midfield, switch to the flanks, attract and disorientate the central defenders with their runs, their accelerations, their dribbling."{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/dec/02/thierry-henry-arsenal-arsene-wenger-barcelona-career |title=Thierry Henry: I wasn't born with a gift for goals |work=The Guardian |last1=Marchand |first1=Thierry |date=2 December 2014 |access-date=10 June 2023 |archive-date=10 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230610180521/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/dec/02/thierry-henry-arsenal-arsene-wenger-barcelona-career |url-status=live }}

File:Ronaldo Nazario "Fenômeno" (5122564094).jpg

Comparing his natural ability to Roger Federer, Paul MacDonald of Goal wrote, "there's a joy to be had watching something we know to be extremely difficult executed with considerable ease. Ronaldo in his prime was able to do that better than anyone who has ever played the game."{{cite news |title=As natural as Federer, Ronaldo in his prime was a true football phenomenon |url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/7130/hall-of-fame-2014/2014/11/14/5169861/as-natural-as-federer-ronaldo-in-his-prime-was-a-true |access-date=8 September 2018 |work=Goal |archive-date=8 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180908092738/http://www.goal.com/en/news/7130/hall-of-fame-2014/2014/11/14/5169861/as-natural-as-federer-ronaldo-in-his-prime-was-a-true |url-status=live }} A reliance on his superior innate ability is given as a reason for his application in training often not being as high as his teammates – though his knee issues may also have been a factor – with his Brazil teammate Emerson stating "Ronaldo felt he didn't need to work as hard as us, that he could do in two days what the rest of us would take ten days to do. And usually, he was right". On his precocious talent – a talent which saw him become the youngest FIFA World Player of the Year at age 20, and youngest Ballon d'Or recipient aged 21 – Rob Smyth of The Guardian wrote in 2016, "Ronaldo is easily the best of the past 30 years, possibly ever. The other Ronaldo and Messi were brilliant teenagers but had nothing like the same impact at that age. Only Pelé, Diego Maradona and George Best can really compare." Asked to name the best player of his lifetime, José Mourinho said, "Ronaldo, El Fenomeno. Cristiano Ronaldo and Leo Messi have had longer careers. They have remained at the top every day for 15 years. However, if we are talking strictly about talent and skill, nobody surpasses Ronaldo."{{cite news |title=Mourinho: Neither Messi nor Cristiano beat Ronaldo Nazario |url=https://www.marca.com/en/football/international-football/2019/10/11/5da0e21eca474177748b45d9.html |access-date=8 December 2019 |work=Marca |archive-date=8 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191208003338/https://www.marca.com/en/football/international-football/2019/10/11/5da0e21eca474177748b45d9.html |url-status=live }} Mikaël Silvestre states, "I played against [Lionel] Messi and I played with Cristiano at Manchester United, but he [Ronaldo] is something else in terms of speed. Cristiano, maybe you can guess that he has three or four tricks he would use most of the time, but Ronaldo, it was always something different. He was inventing things on the spot, so you can't guide him left or right because he's going to get out of these situations, no matter what".{{cite news|first=Chris|last=Burton|title='Cristiano Ronaldo has three or four tricks that you can guess' – Silvestre ranks R9 above former Man Utd colleague|url=https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/ronaldo-cr7-silvestre-r9-man-utd-inter-real-madrid/11iprzfjujof51udho2rmp38jt|date=30 April 2020|access-date=11 May 2021|magazine=Goal|archive-date=11 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511134409/https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/ronaldo-cr7-silvestre-r9-man-utd-inter-real-madrid/11iprzfjujof51udho2rmp38jt|url-status=live}} In 2020, Ronaldo was named in the Ballon d'Or Dream Team, a greatest all-time XI published by France Football magazine.{{cite web |title=Ballon d'Or Dream Team: Xavi alongside Messi and Cristiano |url=https://www.marca.com/en/football/international-football/2020/12/14/5fd78132268e3e48068b45e4.html |website=Marca |date=14 December 2020 |access-date=25 January 2021 |archive-date=15 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201215113050/https://www.marca.com/en/football/international-football/2020/12/14/5fd78132268e3e48068b45e4.html |url-status=live}}

{{Quote box|width=29%|align=right|quote="There were two Ronaldos: the one that returned after long-term injury in 2002 was a great goalscorer, but the 1990s version was a great everything. At his fearsome peak for PSV, Barcelona and Inter Milan he was arguably the most dangerous striker the world has ever seen."|source=—Rob Smyth, The Guardian.}}

At his physical peak in the 1990s, Ronaldo became severely affected by the knee injuries he suffered from late 1999 onward and the subsequent weight gain during his inactivity, which limited his speed, fitness, and mobility. According to his physiotherapist Nilton Petrone, Ronaldo was vulnerable to injury due to a medical condition combined with his explosive running. "Ronaldo had a problem called trochlear dysplasia. This makes the relationship between the kneecap and the femur a bit unstable. There is no direct surgery for that so the kneecap keeps, for a lack of a better word, "dancing" on the femur. Ronaldo's injuries weren't because his body was weak, but because of his explosive capacity. He didn't just run fast in a straight line, he also changed direction at incredible speed. Ronaldo moved from left to right very fast...so it was obvious, by the way that he played, that injuries were always a possibility". Acknowledging "he was never quite the same" after his knee injury in 2000, with "his pace and sheer brute force diminished in comparison to The Phenomenon" in the 1990s, FourFourTwo magazine ranked him the best player at the 2002 World Cup, adding "he was still a cut above the rest" in the tournament.{{cite news|title=Ranked! The 10 best players of World Cup 2002. #1 Ronaldo|url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/ranked-10-best-players-world-cup-2002?page=0%2C1|access-date=10 September 2018|work=FourFourTwo|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180910204256/https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/ranked-10-best-players-world-cup-2002?page=0%2C1|archive-date=10 September 2018|url-status=dead}}

File:Ronaldo Presidente.jpg

In September 2018, Ronaldo became the majority owner of La Liga club Real Valladolid after buying a 51% controlling stake in the club for €30 million.{{cite news |title=Ronaldo: Former Brazil striker buys controlling stake in Real Valladolid |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45397137 |access-date=3 September 2018 |work=BBC Sport |archive-date=3 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180903113221/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45397137 |url-status=live }} At his unveiling as the club's new owner at Valladolid city hall, Ronaldo stated, "I have gone through many stages in my training in football to prepare for this. Football is all about passion. We want to build the best team possible to compete while also giving information about our management with transparency."{{cite news |title=Ronaldo becomes primary owner of Real Valladolid following takeover |url=http://www.espn.co.uk/football/spanish-primera-division/story/3622235/ronaldo-becomes-primary-owner-of-real-valladolid-following-takeover |access-date=3 September 2018 |work=ESPN |archive-date=3 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180903215519/http://www.espn.co.uk/football/spanish-primera-division/story/3622235/ronaldo-becomes-primary-owner-of-real-valladolid-following-takeover |url-status=live }}

In December 2021, Ronaldo bought a controlling stake in his boyhood club Cruzeiro. Investing 400 million reais ($70 million) in the club, Ronaldo stated he wants to "give back to Cruzeiro and take them where they deserve to be."{{cite news |title=Former Brazil striker Ronaldo buys second division Cruzeiro |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/former-brazil-striker-ronaldo-buys-second-division-cruzeiro-2021-12-18/ |access-date=20 December 2021 |work=Reuters |archive-date=19 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211219234651/https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/former-brazil-striker-ronaldo-buys-second-division-cruzeiro-2021-12-18/ |url-status=live }}

On 30 April 2024, an announcement was made that Ronaldo had agreed to sell his ownership stake for undisclosed terms to BPW Sports company. The announcement also noted that Ronaldo would continue to be on the club's board of directors.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5459944/2024/04/30/ronaldo-cruzeiro-ownership-valladolid/|title=Ronaldo selling stake in Brazilian club Cruzeiro|work=New York Times|access-date=19 July 2024 |last1=Corrigan |first1=Dermot |last2=Millar |first2=Colin }}

File:Ronaldinho06Jun2005Abr.jpeg]]

In 1997, Ronaldo met the Brazilian model and actress Susana Werner on the set of the Brazilian telenovela Malhação when they acted together in three episodes.{{Cite news | title = Ronaldo's profile at IMDB | url = https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1046596/ | publisher = Internet Movie Database | access-date = 24 February 2009 | archive-date = 12 March 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090312031839/http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1046596/ | url-status = live }}{{Cite news | title = Susana Werner's profile at IMDB | url = https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0921482/ | publisher = Internet Movie Database | access-date = 11 June 2009 | archive-date = 4 December 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20091204031337/http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0921482/ | url-status = live }} Although they never married, they began a long-term relationship and lived together in Milan until the beginning of 1999.{{Cite news | title = Susana Werner, love in Milan | url = http://www.lancenet.com.br/noticias/09-01-29/477266.stm?susana-werner-amor-em-milao | publisher = Lance! | date = 29 January 2009 | access-date = 24 February 2009 | language = pt | url-status=dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090304002515/http://lancenet.com.br/noticias/09-01-29/477266.stm?susana-werner-amor-em-milao | archive-date = 4 March 2009 | df = dmy-all }}

In December 1999, Ronaldo married Brazilian footballer Milene Domingues, at the time pregnant with the couple's first son, Ronald, who was born in Milan, on 6 April 2000.{{Cite news |url= http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/news/2002/08/31/ronaldo_facts_reuters |title= Fast facts on Ronaldo |publisher= CNN Sports Illustrated |date= 31 August 2002 |access-date= 1 May 2010 |archive-date= 21 December 2010 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20101221041309/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/news/2002/08/31/ronaldo_facts_reuters/ |url-status= dead }} The marriage lasted four years. In 2005, Ronaldo became engaged to Brazilian model and MTV VJ Daniella Cicarelli, who became pregnant but suffered a miscarriage; the relationship lasted only three months after their luxurious wedding at the Château de Chantilly. The ceremony reportedly cost £700,000 (€896,000).{{Cite news |url= http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2005-05/12/content_441435.htm |title= Ronaldo splits up with fiancée |work= China Daily |date= 12 May 2005 |access-date= 5 May 2009 |archive-date= 24 October 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121024075135/http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2005-05/12/content_441435.htm |url-status= live }}

File:Pelé's jersey donated to Pope Francis.JPG. Accompanied with a signed Brazil jersey from Pelé, it is located in one of the Vatican Museums.]]

Despite his fame – a 2003 poll by Nike listed him the world's most famous sportsperson (and third most famous person overall) – Ronaldo is protective of his privacy, including with teammates, stating in an interview with The Telegraph, "each [player] has his own private life, and no one thinks about anyone else's private life. Or talks about it."{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/european/2423493/Beckham-has-won-everyones-respect.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/european/2423493/Beckham-has-won-everyones-respect.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title='Beckham has won everyone's respect'|newspaper=The Telegraph|access-date=6 September 2018}}{{cbignore}} By 2003 he was fluent in Portuguese, Spanish and Italian, and had a good understanding of English.

In a 2005 interview with Folha de S.Paulo, Ronaldo revealed that, somewhat unexpectedly, he identified racially as white,{{cite news |last1=Rangel |first1=Sérgio |title=Descontente com a CBF, Ronaldo pede descanso da seleção |url=https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/folha/esporte/ult92u89582.shtml |access-date=6 June 2018 |work=Folha de S.Paulo |language=pt |date=25 May 2005 |archive-date=13 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180813174818/https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/folha/esporte/ult92u89582.shtml |url-status=live }} generating a wider conversation about the complex role of race in Brazil.{{cite news |last1=Goldblatt |first1=David |title=Brazil's World Cup party can't hide the country's tensions |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/25/brazil-world-cup-football-tensions |access-date=6 June 2018 |work=The Guardian |date=24 May 2014 |language=en |archive-date=13 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180813175018/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/25/brazil-world-cup-football-tensions |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Afrikano |title=Ronaldo afirma que é "Branco" !!! |url=http://identidadeafricana.blogspot.com/2005/05/ronaldo-afirma-que-branco.html |access-date=6 June 2018 |work=Identidade Africana |date=30 May 2005 |language=pt |archive-date=13 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180813210246/http://identidadeafricana.blogspot.com/2005/05/ronaldo-afirma-que-branco.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Brazil: The ideology of "whitening" and the struggle for a black identity |url=https://blackwomenofbrazil.co/2012/02/09/brazil-the-ideology-of-whitening-and-the-struggle-for-a-black-identity/ |access-date=6 June 2018 |work=Black Women of Brazil |date=9 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180813175005/https://blackwomenofbrazil.co/2012/02/09/brazil-the-ideology-of-whitening-and-the-struggle-for-a-black-identity/ |archive-date=13 August 2018 |url-status=dead}} Ronaldo's father, Nelio Nazario, stated, "He knows full well that he's black. Actually, at the time, I thought it was some philosophy, something to that effect. Because he knows he's black." According to a study led by geneticist Sérgio Pena of the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics, most Brazilians often have a misconception about their roots. "The maternal ancestry of the Brazilian white was one-third African, one third Amerindian, and one third European. An individual who considers himself white may be genomically more African than an individual who considers himself to be brown or black."

In April 2008, Ronaldo was involved in a scandal involving three travesti prostitutes whom he met in a nightclub in Rio de Janeiro.{{Cite news | title = Ronaldo's in transvestite scandal | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7374317.stm | publisher = BBC | date = 29 April 2008 | access-date = 28 March 2009 | archive-date = 11 May 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110511142200/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7374317.stm | url-status = live }} Ronaldo claimed that upon discovering that they were legally male, he offered them $600 to leave.{{cite news | title = Police probe Ronaldo-transvestite incident | url = http://uk.reuters.com/article/worldFootballNews/idUKN2820144020080429 | work = Reuters | date = 29 April 2008 | access-date = 28 March 2009 | archive-date = 16 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090216213818/http://uk.reuters.com/article/worldFootballNews/idUKN2820144020080429 | url-status = dead }} One of the three attempted to blackmail Ronaldo, while the other two admitted to lying about having sex with him.{{cite web |url= https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/two-of-the-transvestite-prostitutes-admit-ronaldo-allegations-are-false-6691009.html |title= Two of the transvestite prostitutes admit Ronaldo allegations are false |date= 7 May 2008 |website= standard.co.uk |location= London |access-date= 28 June 2019 |archive-date= 23 January 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200123162904/https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/two-of-the-transvestite-prostitutes-admit-ronaldo-allegations-are-false-6691009.html |url-status= live }} Ronaldo's engagement to Maria Beatriz Antony was immediately halted,{{Cite news |url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-05/14/content_8165085.htm |title=Ronaldo's family confirms former fiancee's pregnancy |agency=Xinhua |publisher=www.chinaview.cn |date=14 May 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160411003108/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-05/14/content_8165085.htm |archive-date=11 April 2016}} but resumed shortly after and they married in the same year. Maria Beatriz Antony gave birth to their first daughter, named Maria Sophia, in Rio de Janeiro, on 24 December 2008. In April 2009, the family moved to a new penthouse in São Paulo.{{Cite news|url=http://www.terra.com.br/istoegente/edicoes/504/artigo133118-1.htm|title=Ronaldo and Maria Beatriz Antony's new penthouse in São Paulo|work=Isto É Gente magazine|date=11 May 2009|language=pt|access-date=11 June 2009|archive-date=29 April 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110429051651/http://www.terra.com.br/istoegente/edicoes/504/artigo133118-1.htm|url-status=dead}} On 6 April 2010, Maria Beatriz Antony gave birth to their second daughter. The girl, born in São Paulo, was named Maria Alice, and was born exactly 10 years after her older brother Ronald.{{cite news | url=https://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/news?slug=ap-ronaldo-daughter | title=Ronaldo's wife gives birth to another girl | work=Yahoo! Sports | date=6 April 2010 | access-date=15 January 2017 | archive-date=1 May 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110501060225/http://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/news?slug=ap-ronaldo-daughter | url-status=dead }}

In December 2010, Ronaldo and his family moved to a new mansion in São Paulo.{{Cite news|url=http://revistaquem.globo.com/Revista/Quem/0,,EMI196542-9531,00-RONALDO+SE+MUDA+PARA+MANSAO+DE+R+MILHOES+DIZ+JORNAL.html|title=Ronaldo moves to a R$ 17 million mansion|publisher=Quem magazine|date=17 December 2010|language=pt|access-date=25 December 2010|archive-date=1 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701120847/http://revistaquem.globo.com/Revista/Quem/0,,EMI196542-9531,00-RONALDO+SE+MUDA+PARA+MANSAO+DE+R+MILHOES+DIZ+JORNAL.html|url-status=dead}} Also in December, Ronaldo took a paternity test and was confirmed to be the father of a boy named Alexander, born in April 2005. The boy was born after a brief relationship between Ronaldo and Michele Umezu, a Brazilian waitress who Ronaldo first met in Tokyo in 2002.{{Cite news|url=http://revistaquem.globo.com/Revista/Quem/0,,EMI193960-9531,00-NAS+BANCAS+TUDO+SOBRE+O+PRIMEIRO+ENCONTRO+DE+RONALDO+COM+ALEX.html|title=In the newsstands: Everything about the first meeting between Ronaldo and Alex|publisher=Quem Magazine|date=8 December 2010|language=pt|access-date=25 December 2010|archive-date=1 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701122807/http://revistaquem.globo.com/Revista/Quem/0,,EMI193960-9531,00-NAS+BANCAS+TUDO+SOBRE+O+PRIMEIRO+ENCONTRO+DE+RONALDO+COM+ALEX.html|url-status=dead}}{{Cite news|url=http://revistaquem.globo.com/Revista/Quem/0,,EMI193942-9531,00-RONALDO+ALEX+E+MEU+FILHO.html|title=Ronaldo: "Alex is my son"|publisher=Quem Magazine|date=8 December 2010|language=pt|access-date=25 December 2010|archive-date=1 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701150755/http://revistaquem.globo.com/Revista/Quem/0,,EMI193942-9531,00-RONALDO+ALEX+E+MEU+FILHO.html|url-status=dead}} After the confirmation of his fourth child, Ronaldo stated on 6 December 2010 that he had had a vasectomy, feeling that having four children was enough.[http://www.antaranews.com/en/news/1293410162/after-fourth-child-ronaldo-performes-vasectomy Antara News : After fourth child, Ronaldo performs vasectomy] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304233939/http://www.antaranews.com/en/news/1293410162/after-fourth-child-ronaldo-performes-vasectomy|date=4 March 2016}}. Beta.antaranews.com (27 December 2010). Retrieved on 3 December 2011. Ronaldo and Maria Beatriz Antony divorced in 2012.{{cite news|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/ronaldo-nazario-engaged-girlfriend-madrid-28944261|title=Ronaldo announces engagement to model girlfriend during Caribbean getaway|access-date=10 September 2023|archive-date=14 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230914230449/https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/ronaldo-nazario-engaged-girlfriend-madrid-28944261|url-status=live}}

In a 2011 interview with the BBC, former Real Madrid teammate Steve McManaman spoke about Ronaldo's personality. "He could go in a restaurant, and I could go in with him, and you're not just there with close friends. He invites everybody. You'd be at a table with him and it'd be a judge sitting opposite talking to a politician with someone off the street listening in. So he just had this amazing aura, where everyone wanted to join him. Sometimes there'd be 20 to 30 people sitting at meal times with him. He was a wonderful person. Everybody would second that, no matter what club he played for."{{cite news |title=Steve McManaman on retired Brazilian legend Ronaldo |work=BBC sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/9401153.stm |date=11 February 2011 |access-date=4 September 2018 |archive-date=19 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819034302/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/9401153.stm |url-status=live }}

File:2019 - SportsTrade - Day 1 SM0 9751 (49019979202).jpg in 2019]]

Ronaldo was the co-owner of A1 Team Brazil, along with former F1 driver Emerson Fittipaldi.{{Cite news |url=https://www.tsn.ca/auto_racing/story/?id=129254&hubname= |title=Ronaldo, Fittipaldi Launch A1 Team Brazil |agency=TSN |date=30 June 2005 |access-date=7 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090910055031/http://www.tsn.ca/auto_racing/story/?id=129254&hubname= |archive-date=10 September 2009 |url-status=dead}} Ronaldo co-owns the sports marketing company 9INE, with his friend, mixed martial artist Anderson Silva, one of his clients.{{cite news|url=http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/sport/garethadavies/100015839/ronaldo-brazilian-soccer-legend-signs-ufc-star-anderson-silva-as-first-client-in-new-management-agency/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110322234720/http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/sport/garethadavies/100015839/ronaldo-brazilian-soccer-legend-signs-ufc-star-anderson-silva-as-first-client-in-new-management-agency/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=22 March 2011 |title=Ronaldo Brazilian football legend signs UFC star Anderson Silva as first client in new management agency |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |access-date=6 September 2011 |date=19 March 2011}}{{cite web |url=http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Silva-Signs-with-Soccer-Superstar-Ronaldos-Marketing-Company-29862 |title=Silva Signs with Soccer Superstar Ronaldo's Marketing Company |website=Sherdog |access-date=7 September 2011 |archive-date=18 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181118170048/http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Silva-Signs-with-Soccer-Superstar-Ronaldos-Marketing-Company-29862 |url-status=live }} A keen poker player, in April 2013 Ronaldo became a member of PokerStars SportStar, and in 2014 he played a charity poker tournament against tennis star Rafael Nadal.{{cite magazine |title=Daily Bagel: Nadal accepts Ronaldo's poker game challenge |url=https://www.si.com/tennis/2014/09/18/daily-bagel-rafa-nadal-ronaldo-poker-game |access-date=31 August 2018 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |archive-date=31 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180831174627/https://www.si.com/tennis/2014/09/18/daily-bagel-rafa-nadal-ronaldo-poker-game |url-status=live }} On 11 December 2014, Ronaldo became a minority owner of the Fort Lauderdale Strikers of the North American Soccer League.[https://www.si.com/planet-futbol/2014/12/11/ronaldo-fort-lauderdale-strikers-nasl-brazil "Brazil icon Ronaldo becomes minority owner of Fort Lauderdale Strikers"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170710122043/https://www.si.com/planet-futbol/2014/12/11/ronaldo-fort-lauderdale-strikers-nasl-brazil |date=10 July 2017 }}. Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 11 December 2014{{Cite news |url=http://www.strikers.com/news/detail/uuid/1d669nvnletl1sw0qozzyyf53/ronaldo-joins-fort-lauderdale-strikers-ownership#.VIoH8tLF-rQ= |title=Ronaldo Joins Fort Lauderdale Strikers Ownership |date=11 December 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141213014728/http://www.strikers.com/news/detail/uuid/1d669nvnletl1sw0qozzyyf53/ronaldo-joins-fort-lauderdale-strikers-ownership#.VIoH8tLF-rQ= |archive-date=13 December 2014}} In 2015, Ronaldo opened eight new branches of his youth football school – the Ronaldo Academy – in China, the U.S. and Brazil, with 100 expected to be opened worldwide by 2020.{{cite news |title=Youth football in China |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/world/china-watch/sport/youth-football-in-china/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170424175331/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/world/china-watch/sport/youth-football-in-china/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=24 April 2017 |access-date=30 August 2018 |work=The Telegraph}}{{cite news |title=Ronaldo to Open Three Football Schools in China by December |url=https://sports.ndtv.com/football/ronaldo-to-open-three-football-schools-in-china-by-december-1490878 |access-date=30 August 2018 |agency=NDTV |archive-date=31 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180831035325/https://sports.ndtv.com/football/ronaldo-to-open-three-football-schools-in-china-by-december-1490878 |url-status=live }} In 2017, Ronaldo's son, Ronald, was selected for the junior football team representing Brazil in the 2017 Maccabiah Games.[http://www.timesofisrael.com/soccer-legend-ronaldos-son-to-play-in-israels-maccabiah-games/ "Soccer legend Ronaldo's son to play in Maccabiah"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190728173406/https://www.timesofisrael.com/soccer-legend-ronaldos-son-to-play-in-israels-maccabiah-games/ |date=28 July 2019 }}. Times of Israel. Retrieved 8 September 2017 The Maccabiah is described as "the Jewish Olympics"; Ronald is not Jewish, but some participating countries have more relaxed rules about eligibility and Ronald is a member of a Jewish football club.

In January 2023, Ronaldo announced his fifth engagement, to model and businesswoman Celina Locks.{{cite news|url= https://en.as.com/soccer/ronaldo-announces-engagement-n/|title= Ronaldo announces engagement|access-date= 10 September 2023|archive-date= 14 September 2023|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230914230449/https://en.as.com/soccer/ronaldo-announces-engagement-n/|url-status= live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CnSpPnaIfGC/?|title=Celina Locks on Instagram: YES, I do! ♾️ 💍 Te amo, para sempre @ronaldo #love #happiness #family 📷 @brunaboechat|access-date=10 September 2023|archive-date=14 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230914230449/https://www.instagram.com/p/CnSpPnaIfGC/|url-status=live}} Ronaldo and Locks went on to marry in July of the same year.{{cite news|url=https://www.vogue.com/slideshow/ronaldo-and-celina-locks-wedding|title=Inside Soccer Star Ronaldo Nazário and Model Celina Locks's Weeklong Wedding Celebration at Their Home in Ibiza|access-date=13 October 2023|archive-date=13 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231013160058/https://www.vogue.com/slideshow/ronaldo-and-celina-locks-wedding|url-status=live}}

A practicing Catholic, Ronaldo was baptized into the faith in 2023.{{Cite news |title=Soccer legend Ronaldo baptized in Catholic church - Futbol on FanNation |language=en |work=Futbol on FanNation |url=https://www.si.com/fannation/soccer/futbol/news/soccer-legend-ronaldo-baptized-in-catholic-church |access-date=14 September 2023 |archive-date=30 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231030215937/https://www.si.com/fannation/soccer/futbol/news/soccer-legend-ronaldo-baptized-in-catholic-church |url-status=live }} He donated a signed football to Pope Francis in 2014, which is now housed in the Vatican Museums.{{Cite web |date=23 June 2018 |title=For Pope Francis, soccer's both a passion and a Gospel strategy |url=https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2018/06/for-pope-francis-soccers-both-a-passion-and-a-gospel-strategy/ |access-date=14 September 2023 |website=Crux |language=en |archive-date=18 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221218055419/https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2018/06/for-pope-francis-soccers-both-a-passion-and-a-gospel-strategy |url-status=live }}

Ronaldo appeared in The Simpsons season 18 episode "Marge Gamer" broadcast in April 2007.{{cite web |url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news.aspx?id=20060724fox03 |title=Guest Voices Next Season on 'The Simpsons' |access-date=29 August 2018 |author=Fox Broadcasting Company |date=24 July 2006 |website=The Futon Critic}} Simon Crerar of The Times listed Ronaldo's performance as one of the thirty-three funniest cameos in the history of the show.{{cite news |last=Crerar |first=Simon |title=The 33 funniest Simpsons cameos ever |url=https://www.thetimes.com/sunday-times-rich-list/profile/article/the-33-funniest-simpsons-cameos-ever-vg9jgq67gxr |access-date=29 August 2018 |newspaper=The Times |date=5 July 2007 |url-access=subscription |archive-date=17 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110517054959/http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/film/article2021776.ece |url-status=live }} Ronaldo made a cameo appearance in Mike Bassett: England Manager (2001) and each film of the Goal! film trilogy, Goal! (2005), Goal II: Living the Dream (2007) and Goal III: Taking on the World (2009).{{cite news |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2722730-how-goal-went-from-a-wild-idea-to-a-cult-movie-franchise-for-football-fans |title=How 'Goal!' Went from a Wild Idea to a Cult Movie Franchise for Football Fans |work=Bleacher Report |date=20 July 2017 |access-date=29 August 2018 |archive-date=12 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180712085713/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2722730-how-goal-went-from-a-wild-idea-to-a-cult-movie-franchise-for-football-fans |url-status=live }} Archive footage of Ronaldo features in the music video "We Are One (Ole Ola)", the official song of the 2014 World Cup by Pitbull and Jennifer Lopez.{{cite web|last=Moreno|first=Carolina|title=Pitbull Debuts 'We Are One (Ole Ola)' Ft. J.Lo For Brazil World Cup (AUDIO)|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/08/pitbull-we-are-one-ole-ola_n_5110542.html|work=Huffington Post|access-date=29 August 2018|date=8 April 2014|archive-date=18 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170818191359/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/08/pitbull-we-are-one-ole-ola_n_5110542.html|url-status=live}}

Ronaldo has appeared in various commercials, from Snickers chocolate bar to Pirelli tyres.{{cite news |title=Brazilian Ronaldo Featured In Snickers Campaign |url=https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Global/Issues/2018/03/30/Marketing-and-Sponsorship/Cristiano-Ronaldo-Snickers.aspx |access-date=18 September 2018 |agency=Sports Business Daily |archive-date=7 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180907071205/https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Global/Issues/2018/03/30/Marketing-and-Sponsorship/Cristiano-Ronaldo-Snickers.aspx |url-status=live }} Ronaldo's usual goal celebration of both arms outstretched – especially from his early career – was the basis for Pirelli's 1998 commercial where he replaced the figure of Christ from the Christ the Redeemer statue that towers over his home city of Rio de Janeiro while in an Inter Milan strip.{{cite news |title=Pirelli e le metamorfosi della pubblicità |url=https://www.corriere.it/cultura/17_giugno_21/pubblicita-con-la-maiuscola-fondazione-pirelli-corraini-5efebe1c-569c-11e7-a35b-7a875278503a.shtml |access-date=19 September 2018 |work=Corriere Della Sera |archive-date=19 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180919171612/https://www.corriere.it/cultura/17_giugno_21/pubblicita-con-la-maiuscola-fondazione-pirelli-corraini-5efebe1c-569c-11e7-a35b-7a875278503a.shtml |url-status=live }} It was controversial with the Catholic Church.{{cite news |title=World Cup 2014: Brazil furious over Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro in Italian football colours |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/southamerica/brazil/10886269/World-Cup-2014-Brazil-furious-over-Christ-the-Redeemer-statue-in-Rio-de-Janeiro-in-Italian-football-colours.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140609135741/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/southamerica/brazil/10886269/World-Cup-2014-Brazil-furious-over-Christ-the-Redeemer-statue-in-Rio-de-Janeiro-in-Italian-football-colours.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=9 June 2014 |access-date=18 September 2018 |work=The Telegraph}} Released in 2000 for the PlayStation and Game Boy Color, the video game Ronaldo V-Football was exclusively endorsed by Ronaldo.[http://www.mobygames.com/game/ronaldo-v-football Ronaldo v Football at MobyGames.com] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110222075225/http://www.mobygames.com/game/ronaldo-v-football |date=22 February 2011 }} In 2017 Ronaldo was added as an icon to the Ultimate Team in EA Sports' FIFA video game FIFA 18, receiving a 95 rating along with Brazilian compatriot Pelé, Argentine playmaker Diego Maradona, former Russian goalkeeper Lev Yashin and former French star Thierry Henry.[https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/ea-sports-add-diego-maradona-to-fifa-18-with-95rated-card-a3599761.html "FIFA 18 to include 95-rated icon Diego Maradona as EA Sports adds footballing legend to Ultimate Team"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612210613/https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/ea-sports-add-diego-maradona-to-fifa-18-with-95rated-card-a3599761.html |date=12 June 2018 }}. Evening Standard. Retrieved 8 September 2017 Ronaldo also appears as the cover athlete on the Icon edition of the game.{{cite news |title=FIFA 18 release date and pre-order price info for PS4 and Xbox One in UK |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/fifa-18-release-date-pre-order-price-info-ps4-xbox-one-uk-a3628561.html |access-date=1 September 2018 |work=Evening Standard |archive-date=2 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180902091214/https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/fifa-18-release-date-pre-order-price-info-ps4-xbox-one-uk-a3628561.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=FIFA 18 ICONS - Ultimate Team |url=https://www.easports.com/fifa/ultimate-team/fut-icons |access-date=2 September 2018 |agency=EA Sports |archive-date=2 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180902091231/https://www.easports.com/fifa/ultimate-team/fut-icons |url-status=live }}

In May 2021, DAZN released the first of a six-part series titled Ronaldo: El Presidente. The series takes viewers inside the day-to-day running of Real Valladolid, revealing every challenge and triumph in Valladolid's first full season under their Brazilian president, intercut with parallel narratives detailing the highs and lows of Ronaldo's own playing career.{{cite news |title=DAZN Details Ronaldo Development Deal |url=https://variety.com/2021/streaming/news/ronaldo-dazn-el-presidente-la-guerra-1234966481/ |access-date=12 October 2021 |work=Variety |archive-date=28 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028164610/https://variety.com/2021/streaming/news/ronaldo-dazn-el-presidente-la-guerra-1234966481/ |url-status=live }}

{{Quote box|width=28%|align=left|quote="Ronaldo is the most global of all athletes today, bar none."|source=—Joaquin Hidalgo, director of Nike's Brazilian marketing unit, 1998.}}

Ronaldo has been sponsored by sportswear company Nike since the early part of his career. In 1996, Nike signed Ronaldo to a 10-year contract and to a lifetime endorsement deal worth over $180 million.{{cite book |last=Chadwick|first=Simon|date=2009|title=Managing Football: An International Perspective|location=London |publisher=Routledge |page=114 |isbn=9781856175449}} Nicknamed R9 (his initial and shirt number), Ronaldo is closely associated with the original Nike Mercurial R9 that was designed for him for the 1998 FIFA World Cup.{{cite magazine|title=Nike Pay Tribute to Iconic Boots Worn by Ronaldo With New Mercurial Puro Fenomeno|url=https://www.si.com/soccer/2017/12/21/photos-nike-pay-tribute-iconic-boots-worn-ronaldo-new-mercurial-puro-fenomeno|magazine=Sports Illustrated|date=22 March 2018|access-date=22 March 2018|archive-date=6 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806205107/https://www.si.com/soccer/2017/12/21/photos-nike-pay-tribute-iconic-boots-worn-ronaldo-new-mercurial-puro-fenomeno|url-status=live}} To celebrate 15 years of the boot, Nike created a Mercurial Vapor IX inspired by the 1998 design, with Phil McCartney, VP of Football Footwear for Nike, stating; "Ronaldo's impact on the game 15 years ago was immense, and in the run up to 2014, we wanted to celebrate that boot and the man himself. We thought a modern construction of his 1998 boot would be a great commemoration of that moment."{{cite web|title=Nike Celebrates 15 Years Of Mercurial With Recreated '98 El Fenomeno Boot|url=http://news.nike.com/news/nike-celebrates-15-years-of-mercurial-with-recreated-98-el-fenomeno-boot|website=Nike.com|access-date=26 May 2015|archive-date=25 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180725110812/https://news.nike.com/news/nike-celebrates-15-years-of-mercurial-with-recreated-98-el-fenomeno-boot|url-status=live}}

In 2018, Ronaldo's R9 Mercurial boots inspired the Nike Mercurial Superfly VI boots commissioned for Kylian Mbappé.{{cite news |title=Kylian Mbappé Just Leaked an Amazing New R9-Inspired Nike Mercurial Superfly VI |url=https://versus.uk.com/2018/04/kylian-mbappe-just-leaked-amazing-new-r9-inspired-nike-mercurial-superfly-vi/ |agency=Versus |date=29 June 2018 |access-date=2 September 2018 |archive-date=29 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180729011315/https://versus.uk.com/2018/04/kylian-mbappe-just-leaked-amazing-new-r9-inspired-nike-mercurial-superfly-vi/ |url-status=live }} Unveiled in 2000, a bronze statue of Ronaldo is located next to Ronaldo Field at Nike headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon.{{cite book |title=Curitiba and Portland: Architecture, City Making, and Urban Governance in the Era of Globalization, Volume 2 |date=2002 |publisher=University of California, Berkeley |page=279}}

Ronaldo has appeared in a series of Nike commercials. He starred in the 1996 Nike commercial titled "Good vs Evil" in a gladiatorial game set in a Roman amphitheatre. Appearing alongside football players from around the world, including Paolo Maldini, Eric Cantona, Luís Figo, Patrick Kluivert and Jorge Campos, they defend "the beautiful game" against a team of demonic warriors, destroying evil by winning the match.{{cite book|last1=Jackson|first1=Steven J.|title=Sport, Culture and Advertising: Identities, Commodities and the Politics of Representation|date=10 November 2004|publisher=Routledge|page=186}} In 1998, he featured in a Nike commercial set in an airport with a number of stars from the Brazil national team, including Romário and Roberto Carlos.{{cite news |title=Inside the greatest ad ever: Nike's brilliant 1998 Brazil airport commercial – by those who made it |url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/inside-greatest-ad-ever-nikes-brilliant-1998-brazil-airport-commercial-those-who-made-it |access-date=2 September 2018 |work=FourFourTwo |archive-date=3 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180903050046/https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/inside-greatest-ad-ever-nikes-brilliant-1998-brazil-airport-commercial-those-who-made-it |url-status=dead }} In the run-up to the 2002 World Cup in Korea and Japan, he starred in Nike's "Secret Tournament" commercial (branded "Scopion KO") directed by Terry Gilliam, appearing alongside football players such as Thierry Henry, Fabio Cannavaro, Francesco Totti, Ronaldinho and Hidetoshi Nakata, with former player Eric Cantona as the tournament "referee".{{cite news |title=A lighter shoe, cooler kits, a faster ball, a Secret Tournament – every touch counts |url=http://www.nikebiz.com/story/stry_scorpion.shtml |work=NikeBiz |publisher=Nike |access-date=21 July 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020602055510/http://www.nikebiz.com/story/stry_scorpion.shtml |archive-date=2 June 2002}}{{cite news |first=Claire |last=Cozens |title=Cantona hosts World Cup with a difference |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2002/apr/03/advertising.worldcupfootball2002?INTCMP=ILCNETTXT3487 |work=The Guardian |publisher=Guardian News and Media |date=3 April 2002 |access-date=21 July 2012 |archive-date=1 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180701165023/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2002/apr/03/advertising.worldcupfootball2002?INTCMP=ILCNETTXT3487 |url-status=live }} In the run-up to the 2014 World Cup, Ronaldo starred as a mentor in Nike's Risk Everything animated commercial with a host of current players in the Nike stable.{{cite news |title=Risk everything! Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo and David Luiz take fight to 'unbeatable' clones in animated advert |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/risk-everything-wayne-rooney-cristiano-ronaldo-and-david-luiz-take-fight-to-unbeatable-clones-in-9528849.html |access-date=29 August 2018 |work=Evening Standard |archive-date=30 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180830010509/https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/risk-everything-wayne-rooney-cristiano-ronaldo-and-david-luiz-take-fight-to-unbeatable-clones-in-9528849.html |url-status=live }}

{{notelist}}

Notes

{{Reflist|group=lower-alpha}}

:Scores and results list Brazil's goal tally first.

Cruzeiro

• Campeonato Mineiro: 1994

PSV Eindhoven

• KNVB Cup: 1995–96{{cite web |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/report/knvb-beker-1995-1996-finale-psv-eindhoven-sparta-rotterdam/ |title=Netherlands: KNVB beker 1995/1996: Final: PSV Eindhoven – Sparta Rotterdam 5:2: Match details |website=worldfootball.net |publisher=HEIM:SPIEL |access-date=29 May 2023}}

Barcelona

• Copa del Rey: 1996–97
• Supercopa de España: 1996{{cite web |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/report/supercopa-1996-finale-fc-barcelona-atletico-madrid/ |title=Spain: Supercopa 1996: Final: FC Barcelona – Atlético Madrid 5:2: Match details |website=worldfootball.net |publisher=HEIM:SPIEL |access-date=29 May 2023}}
  {{cite web |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/report/supercopa-1996-finale-atletico-madrid-fc-barcelona/ |title=Spain: Supercopa 1996: Final: Atlético Madrid – FC Barcelona 3:1: Match details |website=worldfootball.net |publisher=HEIM:SPIEL |access-date=29 May 2023}}
• UEFA Cup Winners' Cup: 1996–97{{cite web |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/report/ec-der-pokalsieger-1996-1997-finale-fc-barcelona-paris-st-germain/ |title=Cup Winners Cup 1996/1997: Final: FC Barcelona – Paris Saint-Germain 1:0: Match details |website=worldfootball.net |publisher=HEIM:SPIEL |access-date=29 May 2023}}

Inter Milan

• UEFA Cup: 1997–98{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/match/54858--lazio-vs-inter/ |title=Lazio 0–3 Inter: Overview |publisher=UEFA |access-date=29 May 2023}}
• Coppa Italia runner-up: 1999–2000{{cite web |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/report/coppa-italia-1999-2000-finale-lazio-roma-inter/ |title=Italy: Coppa Italia 1999/2000: Final: Lazio Roma – Inter 2:1: Match details |website=worldfootball.net |publisher=HEIM:SPIEL |access-date=29 May 2023}}
  {{cite web |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/report/coppa-italia-1999-2000-finale-inter-lazio-roma/ |title=Italy: Coppa Italia 1999/2000: Final: Inter – Lazio Roma 0:0: Match details |website=worldfootball.net |publisher=HEIM:SPIEL |access-date=29 May 2023}}

Real Madrid

• La Liga: 2002–03{{cite web |url=https://www.bdfutbol.com/en/t/t2002-032.html |title=Real Madrid 2002–03: Squad |website=BDFutbol |access-date=29 May 2023}}
• Supercopa de España: 2003{{cite web |url=https://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/p.php?id=490170 |title=Mallorca 2–1 Real Madrid |website=BDFutbol |access-date=29 May 2023}}
  {{cite web |url=http://actas.rfef.es/actas/RFEF_CmpActa1?cod_primaria=1000144&CodActa=100 |title=Acta del Partido celebrado el 27 de agosto de 2003, en Madrid |trans-title=Minutes of the Match held on 27 August 2003, in Madrid |publisher=Royal Spanish Football Federation |access-date=29 May 2023 |language=es}}
• Intercontinental Cup: 2002{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/match/69965/ |title=Real Madrid 2–0 Olimpia: Overview |publisher=UEFA |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200613150322/https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/match/69965/ |archive-date=13 June 2020}}

Corinthians

• Campeonato Paulista: 2009
• Copa do Brasil: 2009

Brazil U23

• Olympic Bronze Medal: 1996

Brazil

• FIFA World Cup: 1994, 2002; runner-up: 1998
• Copa América: 1997, 1999; runner-up: 1995
• FIFA Confederations Cup: 1997

File:Ronaldo Golden Foot 2006.jpg award in "The Champions Promenade" on the seafront of the Principality of Monaco]]

Individual

• Supercopa Libertadores top scorer: 1993–94
• Supercopa Libertadores Team of the Year: 1993–94
• Campeonato Mineiro top scorer: 1993–94
• Campeonato Mineiro Team of the Year: 1994
• Eredivisie top scorer: 1994–95
• FIFA World Player of the Year: 1996, 1997, 2002{{cite news |title=Ronaldo named world's best |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/2585243.stm |access-date=5 September 2018 |agency=BBC}}
• Trofeo EFE La Liga Ibero-American Player of the Year: 1996–97, 2002–03[http://www.marca.com/2013/06/04/futbol/equipos/real_madrid/1370345288.html "Ronaldo, ganador del Trofeo EFE"]. Marca. Retrieved 30 July 2018
• Pichichi Trophy: 1996–97, 2003–04
• European Golden Shoe: 1996–97{{cite web |url=http://www.soccerphile.com/soccerphile/news/golden-boot.html |title=Golden Boot: The Quotients Decide It All |publisher=soccerphile.com |access-date=20 February 2008 }}
• World Soccer magazine World Player of the Year (3): 1996, 1997, 2002{{cite news |title=Ronaldo named world's best |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/2585243.stm |access-date=30 July 2018 |agency=BBC}}
• Don Balón Award La Liga Foreign Player of the Year: 1996–97[https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/spanpoy.html "Spanish football awards by Don Balón"]. rsssf.org. Retrieved 27 July 2018
• Copa América Final Most Valuable Player: 1997
• Copa América Most Valuable Player: 1997[https://www.rsssf.org/tabless/sachampfulltrivia.html Copa América Best Players]. rsssf.org. Retrieved 30 August 2018
• FIFA Confederations Cup Bronze Boot: 1997[https://web.archive.org/web/20160102094957/http://www.fifa.com/confederationscup/archive/saudiarabia1997/awards/index.html "FIFA Confederations Cup Saudi Arabia 1997 – Awards"]. FIFA.com. Retrieved 4 September 2018
• FIFA Confederations Cup All-Star Team: 1997
• UEFA Cup Winners' Cup Final Most Valuable Player: 1997
• Copa América All-Star Team: 1997, 1999
• IFFHS World's Top Goal Scorer of the Year: 1997[https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/iffhs-scor.html IFFHS' World's Top Goal Scorer of the Year 1997]. rsssf.org. Retrieved 4 September 2018
• Bravo Award: 1997, 1998[https://web.archive.org/web/20140701223750/http://rsssf.com/miscellaneous/bravo-awards.html "Bravo Award: Ronaldo"]. Rsssf.com. Retrieved 29 July 2018
• Onze d'Or: 1997, 2002{{cite web|last=Pierrend |first=José Luis |title="Onze Mondial" Awards |publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |date=6 March 2012 |url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/onze-awards.html |access-date=26 December 2015}}
• Ballon d'Or: 1997, 2002;{{cite web

| url= https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/europa-poy02.html| title = European Footballer of the Year ("Ballon d'Or") 2002| first= José Luis| last= Pierrend| date= 26 March 2005| access-date = 30 July 2018| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090116140910/http://rsssf.com/miscellaneous/europa-poy02.html| archive-date= 16 January 2009 | website= RSSSF| url-status=live}} runner-up: 1996{{Cite web |title=1996 Ballon d'Or Results |url=https://www.topendsports.com/sport/soccer/awards/ballondor-1996.htm |access-date=6 February 2024 |website=www.topendsports.com}}

• European Sports Media ESM Team of the Year: 1996–97, 1997–98{{cite web |last=Stokkermans |first=Karel |title=ESM XI |publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |date=14 March 2007 |url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/esm-xi.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070315073244/http://rsssf.com/miscellaneous/esm-xi.html |archive-date=15 March 2007}}
• FIFA XI: 1997, 1998[https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/fifa-xi.html "FIFA XI's Matches - Full Info"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117033752/http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/fifa-xi.html |date=17 November 2015 }}. RSSSF.com
• Serie A Footballer of the Year: 1998[https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/italpoy.html "Italy - Footballer of the Year: List of winners"]. RSSSF.com. Retrieved 30 July 2018
• Serie A Foreign Footballer of the Year: 1998[https://web.archive.org/web/20130515095258/http://www.assocalciatori.it/Pagine/AlbodOro/tabid/161/language/en-US/Default.aspx "List of Oscar del Calcio winners"]. AIC. Retrieved 30 July 2018
• UEFA Cup Final Most Valuable Player: 1998{{cite news |first=Jerry |last=Langdon |title=South Americans provide goals, Italy's Inter Milan wins UEFA Cup. |url=http://www.soccertimes.com/international/1998/may06.htm |work=Gannett News Service |publisher=Soccer Times |date=6 May 1998 |access-date=28 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812021810/http://www.soccertimes.com/international/1998/may06.htm |archive-date=12 August 2014 |url-status=dead}}
• UEFA Club Footballer of the Year: 1997–98[https://web.archive.org/web/20100704061859/http://www.uefa.com/uefasupercup/news/newsid=1499472.html "UEFA Club Footballer of the Year"]. UEFA.com. Retrieved 30 July 2018
• UEFA Club Forward of the Year: 1997–98
• FIFA World Cup Golden Ball: 1998{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/france1998/awards/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150222021742/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/france1998/awards/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=22 February 2015|title=1998 FIFA World Cup France ™ – Awards|publisher=FIFA.com|access-date=4 September 2018}}
• FIFA World Cup All-Star Team: 1998, 2002
• FIFA World Cup top assist provider: 1998{{cite web |url=http://www.planetworldcup.com/CUPS/1998/wc98statistics.html |title=Planet World Cup - 1998 - Statistics |publisher=Planet World Cup |access-date=12 November 2017}}
• Inter Milan Player of the Year: 1998{{cite web |author=Inter.it staff, inter(a t)inter.it |url=http://inter.it/aas/news/reader?L=en&N=24665&stringa=%22player%20of%20the%20year%22 |title=F.C. Internazionale Milano |publisher=Inter.it |date=17 November 2006 |access-date=14 October 2017 |archive-date=19 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120819174527/http://www.inter.it/aas/news/reader?L=en&N=24665&stringa=%22player%20of%20the%20year%22 |url-status=dead }}
• FIFA World Cup Golden Shoe: 2002{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/koreajapan2002/awards/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150219161350/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/koreajapan2002/awards/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=19 February 2015|title=2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan ™ – Awards|publisher=FIFA.com|access-date=4 September 2018}}
• FIFA World Cup Silver Ball: 2002
• FIFA World Cup Final Most Valuable Player: 2002[https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/ronaldo-caps-stunning-revival-crown-brazil-1657274 "Ronaldo caps stunning revival to crown Brazil"]. FIFA.com. Retrieved 29 July 2018
• Intercontinental Cup Most Valuable Player: 2002{{cite news|title=Toyota Cup - Most Valuable Player of the Match Award |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablest/toyotamvp.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081224143201/http://www.rsssf.com/tablest/toyotamvp.html |archive-date=24 December 2008 }}
• UEFA Team of the Year: 2002{{cite web|url=http://en.toty.uefa.com/history=2002.html|title=Team of the Year 2002|publisher=UEFA|access-date=1 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140529200246/http://en.toty.uefa.com/history=2002.html|archive-date=29 May 2014|url-status=dead}}
• BBC World Sport Star of the Year: 2002{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/ronaldo-fights-the-flab-and-dodgy-knees-1050397.html |title=Ronaldo fights the flab and dodgy knees |first=Glenn |last=Moore |date=4 December 2008 |work=The Independent |access-date=11 January 2009 |location=London |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207133147/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/ronaldo-fights-the-flab-and-dodgy-knees-1050397.html |archive-date= 7 December 2008 |url-status=live }}
• Laureus World Sports Awards Comeback of the Year: 2003
• Best Male Soccer Player ESPY Award: 2003{{cite news |title=The ESPY Awards 2003 nominees |url=http://www.espn.com/espy2003/s/02nomineesindex.html|access-date=11 November 2020 |agency=ESPN}}
• FIFA 100 (2004){{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/3533833.stm|title=Fifa names greatest list|publisher=BBC|date=4 March 2004| access-date =30 April 2018}}
• FIFA World Cup Bronze Boot: 2006[https://web.archive.org/web/20070603190545/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/germany2006/awards/index.html "2006 FIFA World Cup Germany ™ – Awards"]. FIFA.com. Retrieved 4 September 2018
• Brazilian Football Museum Hall of Fame: 2006{{cite web|title=Museu do Futebol II. Anjos barrocos. |date=17 May 2009|url=http://futpopclube.com/2009/05/17/museu-do-futebol-ii-anjos-barrocos/|access-date=21 November 2015|publisher=Fut Pop Clube|language=pt}}
• Golden Foot award: 2006[https://goldenfoot.com/winners/ "Winners – Golden Foot"]. GoldenFoot.com. Retrieved 23 July 2018
• France Football magazine's all-time starting XI: 2007{{cite news |title=Ronaldo Is Set to Announce His Retirement Tomorrow, Leaving Us Great Memories |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/607969-ronaldo-is-set-to-announce-his-retirement-tomorrow-leaving-us-great-memories |access-date=29 July 2018 |agency=Bleacher Report}}
• Association of Football Statisticians (AFS) Top-100 Players of All Time: 2007. #2{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/afstop100.html|title=AFS Top-100 Players of All-Time|website=RSSSF|access-date=25 November 2017}}
• Sports Illustrated Team of the Decade: 2009{{cite magazine|last=Wahl|first=Grant|title=2000s: The Decade in Sports; All-Decade Team: Soccer|magazine=Sports Illustrated|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/magazine/specials/2000s/12/15/soccer.decade.team/index.html|date=21 December 2009|access-date=30 August 2018|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121113202936/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/magazine/specials/2000s/12/15/soccer.decade.team/index.html|archive-date=13 November 2012}}
• Real Madrid Hall of Fame{{cite web|url=http://www.realmadrid.com/en/about-real-madrid/history/football-legends/ronaldo-luis-nazario-de-lima|title=Ronaldo Luis Nazario de Lima|publisher=Real Madrid|language=en|access-date=10 July 2017}}
• Marca Leyenda: 2011[http://www.marca.com/marca-leyenda.html "Marca Leyenda: Ronaldo"]. Marca. Retrieved 28 July 2018
• L'Équipe's top 50 South-American footballers in history: #5{{cite news|url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Top/Football/top50-joueurs-sud-americains/3/|title=Top 50 des joueurs sud-américains de l'histoire|trans-title=Top 50 South-American footballers in history|newspaper=L'Équipe|language=fr|date=4 July 2015|access-date=6 July 2015}}
• Italian Football Hall of Fame: 2015{{cite news|url=http://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/27-10-2015/hall-of-fame-vialli-mancini-facchetti-ronaldo-herrera-agnelli-tardelli-ferlaino-130676725232.shtml|title=Hall of fame, 10 new entry: con Vialli e Mancini anche Facchetti e Ronaldo|trans-title=Hall of fame, 10 new entries: with Vialli and Mancini also Facchetti and Ronaldo|newspaper=La Gazzetta dello Sport|language=it|date=27 October 2015|access-date=27 October 2015}}
• International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS) Legends{{cite web|url=http://iffhs.de/iffhs-has-announced-the-48-football-legend-players/|title=IFFHS announce the 48 football legend players|publisher=IFFHS|date=25 January 2016|access-date=14 September 2016|archive-date=24 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190924082150/https://iffhs.de/iffhs-has-announced-the-48-football-legend-players/|url-status=dead}}
• Inter Milan Hall of Fame: 2018{{cite web |url=https://www.inter.it/it/news/86203/hall-of-fame-ecco-i-4-vincitori-della-prima-edizione |title=Hall Of Fame, Ecco I 4 Vincitori Della Prima Edizione |publisher=Inter.it |language=it |date=9 March 2018 |access-date=30 May 2018 |archive-date=12 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612142637/https://www.inter.it/it/news/86203/hall-of-fame-ecco-i-4-vincitori-della-prima-edizione |url-status=dead }}
• Globe Soccer Awards Player Career Award: 2018[https://www.globesoccer.com/awards/walloffame/?awarding_year=2018 “Wall of Fame 2018: Ronaldo”]. Globe Soccer.com. Retrieved 16 January 2020
• Ballon d'Or Dream Team: 2020{{cite web |last=Crépin |first=Timothé |title=Ballon d'Or Dream Team : Découvrez les révélations de ce onze de légende ! |url=https://www.francefootball.fr/news/Ballon-d-or-dream-team-decouvrez-les-revelations-de-ce-onze-de-legende/1205748 |website=France Football |language=fr |date=14 December 2020 |access-date=14 December 2020}}
• IFFHS All-time Men's B Dream Team: 2021{{cite web |url=https://www.iffhs.com/posts/1110 |title=IFFHS All Time World Men's Dream Team |work=IFFHS |date=22 May 2021 }}

• List of most expensive association football transfers
• List of men's footballers with 50 or more international goals

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• [http://www.realmadrid.com/sobre-el-real-madrid/el-club/historia/jugadores-de-leyenda-futbol/ronaldo-luis-nazario-de-lima Ronaldo] at Real Madrid {{in lang|en|es}}
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{{Brazil squad 1994 FIFA World Cup}}

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Category:1976 births

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