“The Ronaldo Phenomenon: A Footballer Ahead of His Time”
For younger fans, the only Ronaldo is Cristiano. But for those of us who remember further back the “real” Ronaldo is Brazilian. In 11 of the last 12 cases the Ballon d’Or went to Cristiano or the other great of our time – Lionel Messi, but those were years when the Phenomenon set the standard.
As empty of substance as the online social media feuds between fans – who is greater: Messi or Ronaldo – we can count ourselves lucky to be able to watch two such greats playing at the same time and entertaining us with their never-ending rivalry.
Ronaldo of Brazil was truly exceptional at that time surpassing everyone else and reigning supreme without any comparable partner. He was the most exciting name of his generation and did things that were never seen before and that no one else could do at the time.
Ronaldo’s dominance was cut short by severe injuries, but his Brazilian nonchalance towards training and penchant for wild nights in European nightclubs, coupled with his indulgence in large food portions, also contributed to his physical form and performance as the Phenomenon.
But his talent was undeniable. After all we are talking about a footballer who broke the world transfer record twice before his 21st birthday. For the player who to this day remains the youngest winner of the “Golden Ball”.
“From Cruzeiro to Camp Nou: Ronaldo’s Rise to Football Stardom”
Ronaldo started generating buzz when he was barely in his mid-teens. Soon after making his debut for Cruzeiro the young Brazilian striker began to build a reputation for himself, culminating in a spectacular performance just a few months later when he scored five goals against Bahia and won over the entire country.
The goals continued to pour in and Ronaldo hit 44 in his first 47 games at club level. And here we are talking about a boy who was not yet 18. However his performance was convincing enough to earn him a call-up to the national team for the 1994 World Cup.
Ronaldo didn’t play a single minute as his teammates won Brazil’s fourth world cup title, but it was clear to all that the Seleção had their brightest talent since Pele.
Europe was the logical next step in his development and, like his national team teammate Romario, Ronaldo moved to PSV. In Eindhoven, the Brazilian also impressed from the start and stunned the crowd with 35 goals in 36 games in his first season.
Finished the campaign as the Netherlands’ No.1 goalscorer before netting another 19 in 21 games the following year. However, he was then struck down by a knee injury that would prove to be the first of many that would ultimately end his magical career.
“Ronaldo at Barcelona: A Magical Season That Will Never Be Forgotten”
Ronaldo quickly became too big for the Dutch league and in 1996 he was looked at by the giants of Europe. Barcelona managed to win the race for his signature, which cost Blaugrana 15 million euros, thus making the 19-year-old striker the most expensive footballer in history.
The Brazilian spent just one season at Camp Nou but that campaign is still remembered by fans as one of the most magical things to happen in Catalonia and those lucky enough to see his iconic performance live will never forget it.
Ronaldo arrived in Barcelona as the best footballer in the world, although he had not yet been officially declared one. With the Brazilian in their squad, the Catalans produced one of their most memorable seasons and under Sir Bobby Robson finished 1996/97 with a treble. Barca won the Spanish Cup and Super Cup as well as the Cup Winners’ Cup Trophy.
The star of the team was undoubtedly the new signing Ronaldo. The Brazilian demonstrated to the whole world what the modern striker should look like, combining technique and power, a silky touch and lightning speed, the predatory instinct of the pure nine and the ability to fire from all over the opposition goalkeepers equally well with both the right and left foot.
His opponents, both defenders and goalkeepers were spellbound by his swift footwork and masterful feints. Ronaldo’s ability to move the ball with the grace of Brazilian samba made him an icon for countless fans and aspiring footballers for generations to come.
That season the Brazilian found the back of the net 47 times in 49 games. In recent years we have become accustomed to such numbers because of Messi and Ronaldo, but no one else scored goals with the methodical manner in which Ronaldo could do it.
“Inter Milan and the Ballon d’Or: Ronaldo’s Triumphs and Tragedies”
Midway through his stellar season at Barcelona, Ronaldo was named FIFA’s No. 1 player, after which Inter activated his buyout clause and paid €26.5m for him. And so for the second time it made him the most expensive football player in the world. Ronaldo became the second player in history, after Diego Maradona, to break the transfer record twice.
The 90s are a particularly romantic time for Serie A fans, as the best footballers played in the Calcio back then. Italian clubs did not spare money for world stars, as was the case with Ronaldo.
In his debut season for the Nerazzurri, the Brazilian scored 34 goals in all competitions leading Inter to the UEFA Cup trophy proving once again that he had no equal in any league both in Europe and around the world.
His brilliant performances throughout 1997 allowed him to retain the title of FIFA’s #1 footballer, which was already garnished with the most prestigious individual award – the Ballon d’Or. At 21, Ronaldo became the youngest recipient of the award, a record that remains unbroken to this day.
The End of an Era: Ronaldo’s Retirement and Legacy
His second season at Inter was marred by injuries, followed by the disappointment of the 1998 World Cup final. Knee problems plagued him in the following years but, miraculously, the striker was back on his feet for the 2002 World Cup. There, Ronaldo avenged the failure four years earlier, now boasting a world title to which he really contributed.
Afterwards the Brazilian sensation was recruited as one of Real Madrid’s “galactic” signings and he went on to claim his second Ballon d’Or. While Ronaldo maintained his status as a prolific scorer the electrifying speed that once left both defenders and spectators stunned had faded away.
The question of what could have been if injuries had not plagued Ronaldo has become a tired cliche. However, it’s worth considering just how transformative it would have been for football if he had been able to sustain the same level of excellence he displayed during his time at Barcelona and his first season at Inter for another decade.