The History Of The Legendary Ronaldo

Name: Ronaldo Luiz Nazario de Lima
Date Of Birth: September 18, 1976
Place Of Birth: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Position: Attacker
Clubs: Cruzeiro, PSV, Barcelona, Inter, Real Madrid, Milan, Corinthians
International: Brazil (1994-2006)

1993: Makes Cruzeiro debut and scores first goal as a professional football player.

1994: Makes Brazil debut in international friendly against Argentina.

1994: Part of the Brazil squad that wins the 1994 World Cup.

1994: Signs a contract with Eredivisie giants PSV.

Timeline Of Playing Career:

- Ronaldo supported Flamengo as a youngster, but was turned down by the Mengao before signing with Cruzeiro.

- 1994 World Cup winner Romario was the one who advised Ronaldo to kick-start his European career in The Netherlands with PSV.

- Ronaldo is the all-time World Cup top goal scorer with 15 goals.

- Since 2005, Ronaldo has been the co-owner of A1 Team Brazil, along with Brazilian motorsports legend Emerson Fittipaldi.

- Ronaldo has scored for both Milan and Inter in the Derby della Madonnina.

1995: Finishes the season as Eredivisie top scorer with 30 goals.

1996: Wins KNVB Beker with PSV.

1996: Leaves PSV for Spanish powerhouse Barcelona.

1996: Wins FIFA World Player of the Year award; runner-up for Ballon d'Or.

1997: Wins Copa del Rey and Cup Winners' Cup with Barcelona.

1997: Finishes the season as La Liga top scorer with 34 goals.

1997: Wins European Golden Boot

1997: Joins Italian titans Inter.

1997: Wins FIFA World Player of the Year award; wins Ballon d'Or.

1997: Wins the Copa America with Brazil.

1998: Wins UEFA Cup with Inter.

1998: Part of the Brazil squad that finishes runners-up at the 1998 World Cup.

1998: Wins Golden Ball at 1998 World Cup.

1999: Wins the Copa America with Brazil.

1999: Sustains first serious knee injury.

2000: Picks up yet another serious knee problem.

2002: Part of the Brazil squad that wins the 2002 World Cup.

2002: Finishes the 2002 World Cup as top scorer with eight goals.

2002: Wins FIFA World Player of the Year award; wins Ballon d'Or.

2002: Leaves Inter to return to Spain with Real Madrid.

2002: Wins Intercontinental Cup with Real Madrid.

2003: Wins La Liga with Real Madrid.

2004: Finishes the season as La Liga top scorer with 24 goals.

2006: Part of the Brazil squad that reaches the quarter-finals at the 2006 World Cup.

2007: Wins La Liga with Real Madrid.

2007: Leaves Real Madrid to join Milan.

2008: Sustains his third serious knee injury.

2009: Leaves Europe to return to Brazil at Corinthians.

2009: Wins Campeonato Paulista and Copa do Brasil with Corinthians.

2010: Voted Player of the Decade by Goal.com.

2011: Retires from professional football.

Reference : www.goal.com