Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima is the original Ronaldo, one of the greatest and certainly most popular footballers of all time.
Nicknamed The Phenomenon (O Fenômeno) he was only the second player, after Diego Maradona, to break the world transfer record twice, before he was even 21.
Ronaldo played for Brazil in 98 matches, scoring 62 goals, second only to Pelé. At age 17, Ronaldo was the youngest member of the Brazilian squad that won the 1994 FIFA World Cup. He won a second World Cup in 2002, scoring twice as Brazil overcame Germany 2-0 in the final, and winning the Golden Boot as tournament's top goalscorer.
He enjoyed a spectacular period with Real Madrid from 2002 to 2007 as one of the club’s first galacticos. Such was the respect he commanded he even got a standing ovation from the Old Trafford crowd when a stunning performance and hat-trick sunk Manchester 4-3 in the 2003 Champions League quarter-finals.
Ronaldo won the FIFA World Player of the Year three times, in 1996, 1997 and 2002, the Ballon d'Or twice, in 1997 and 2002.
One of the most marketable sportsmen in the world, the first Nike Mercurial boots, R9, were commissioned for him in 1998.