Biography
Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima, known simply as Ronaldo, is a famous Brazilian former professional soccer player who is considered one of the sport’s greatest strikers. Born on September 22, 1976 in Rio de Janeiro, Ronaldo began his career at Cruzeiro in 1993 before moving to PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands, where his outstanding scoring ability quickly attracted attention.
Ronaldo’s career includes stints with top clubs such as FC Barcelona, Inter Milan and Real Madrid. His time at Inter Milan was particularly notable, where he won two Serie A titles and contributed to the team’s 2009-2010 treble, although an injury sidelined him. He could not attend the finals. He was named FIFA World Player of the Year three times (1996, 1997, 2002).
In the international arena, Ronaldo has represented Brazil in three World Cups, with an outstanding achievement in 2002 when he brought Brazil to the championship. He finished as top scorer, winning both the Golden Boot and the Golden Ball. His record of scoring 8 goals in the World Cup is shared with Miroslav Klose.
Nicknamed “Il Fenomeno” for his exceptional skill, speed and finishing ability, Ronaldo’s career was affected by a serious knee injury, which affected his longevity. Despite these challenges, his influence on football deeply inspired a generation of strikers with his unique style.
Former Brazilian player
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 Ronaldo: History ‧ Bio ‧ Photos |
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| Wiki Info & About Data | |
| Real name: | Ronaldo Luís Nazario de Lima |
| Stage name: | Ronaldo, Il Fenomeno |
| Born: | September 18, 1976 (48 years old) |
| Place of birth: | Itaguaí, state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |
| Nationality: | Brazil |
| Education: | not applicable |
| Height: | 188 cm |
| Parents: | Sônia dos Santos Barata, Nélio Nazario de Lima Snr |
| Siblings: | Nélio Nazario de Lima Jr., Ione Lima |
| Couple: | Celina Locks (m. 2023), Maria Beatriz Antony (m. 2008–2012), Daniella Cicarelli (m. 2005–2005), Milene Domingues (m. 1999–2003) |
| Girlfriend • Partner: | Fernanda de Freitas (2003), Viviane Brunieri (1996), Nádia Franca (1994), Raica Oliveira (2005-2006), Susana Werner (1997-1999), Paula Morais (2013-2014), Michele Umezu |
| Children: | Maria Sophia Nazario de Lima, Ronald Domingues Nazário de Lima, Alexander Nazario de Lima, Maria Alice Nazario de Lima |
| Job: | Football player |
| Net worth: | 160 million USD (USD) |
Early Life & Education
Ronaldo Luís Nazario de Lima was born on September 22, 1976 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Growing up in the modest neighborhood of Bento Ribeiro, his family life was financially difficult.
His mother, Sonia dos Santos Barata, worked multiple jobs to support the family, while his father, Nelio Nazário de Lima, had a background in football. Ronaldo has six siblings; Among them, his brother Nélio Júnior also pursued a football career although he did not reach the same heights as him.
Brazil is a predominantly Catholic country, so Ronaldo may have been exposed to Catholicism, although he has not publicly discussed his religious beliefs extensively. His early involvement in football influenced his formal education. He attended local schools in Rio de Janeiro but prioritized football training over studies, which was evident at the age of 13 when he began playing for São Cristóvão.
Ronaldo’s outstanding talent was recognized in a youth tournament, leading him to join Cruzeiro at the age of 16. This marked the beginning of his professional career, overshadowing his early challenges with skill. His outstanding football.
Career
Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima began his professional journey with Cruzeiro in 1993. His impressive goalscoring ability attracted the attention of European clubs, leading to his transfer to PSV Eindhoven in in 1994. At PSV, he scored 32 goals in 38 league matches, winning the European Golden Shoe title and attracting the interest of top clubs.
In 1996, Ronaldo joined FC Barcelona for a world record fee. Despite injuries, he scored 47 goals in 57 appearances and helped win the Copa del Rey. His next big transfer was to Inter Milan in 1997, where he had a successful season until suffering a serious knee injury in 2000. Upon his return, Ronaldo played a key role in the Inter’s success, including Serie A titles in 2006, 2007 and 2008, and their 2010 treble, although he missed the final through injury love.
Ronaldo’s move to Real Madrid in 2002 set another world record. He scored more than 100 goals in 177 matches, won the La Liga championship but struggled with recurring injuries. After being loaned to AC Milan in 2007, he returned to Brazil to play for Corinthians, winning the Brasileirão Série A in 2011 before retiring.
In the international arena, Ronaldo’s career with Brazil was marked by the 2002 World Cup, where he led Brazil to victory, became top scorer and won the Golden Ball. His record of eight goals in the World Cup was unprecedented until recently.
Nicknamed “Il Fenomeno” for his speed, agility and outstanding finishing ability, Ronaldo’s career, although shortened due to a knee injury, still left a lasting legacy. His records, three FIFA World Player of the Year awards and impact on the modern striker role continue to shape football culture.
Social Media
- Instagram: Ronaldo (@ronaldo)
- Twitter: Ronaldo Nazario (@Ronaldo)
Personal life
On September 25, 2023, Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima married Brazilian model Celina Locks in Ibiza, marking his third marriage. Celina, 33 years old, has been dating Ronaldo since around 2015.
Ronaldo’s previous marriages include Milene Domingues (1999–2003), with whom he shares a son, Ronald, born in 2000; Daniella Cicarelli, with whom he had a high-profile marriage in 2005 that ended after a few months; and Maria Beatriz “Bia” Antony, to whom he was married until 2012 and with whom he shares two daughters, Maria Sophia and Maria Alice. Additionally, Ronaldo was engaged to DJ Paula Morais from 2013 to 2014.
Ronaldo also had relationships with Raica Oliveira (2005–2006) and Susana Werner (1997–1999) and met Fernanda de Freitas (2003), Viviane Brunieri (1996) and Nádia Franca (1994). He has a son, Alexander, with Michele Umezu, whom he briefly dated in 2002.
Ronaldo’s family includes four children with different relationships: Ronald with Milene Domingues, Maria Sophia and Maria Alice with Antony Bia, and Alexander with Michele Umezu. At 6 feet 2 inches (188 cm), Ronaldo’s height contributes to his on-field presence, combining agility with strength.
Net worth
Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima, widely known as Ronaldo, has built an impressive net worth, estimated at $160 million. His wealth largely stems from his illustrious football career, during which he was one of the highest-paid athletes, earning significant amounts of money through salary. , bonuses and endorsements.
Outside of his playing days, Ronaldo continues to earn income through lucrative contracts, especially with Nike, which maintains a long-term partnership with him even after retirement. His business interests reflect his financial acumen; he invested in football clubs, buying a majority stake in Real Valladolid for around $50 million and then buying Cruzeiro. These investments highlight his long association with the sport he once dominated on the field.
Achievements & recognition
Success at the World Cup
- 1994: Youngest player (17 years old) at the World Cup.
- 1998: Top scorer of the tournament with 4 goals, although Brazil lost in the final.
- 2002: Led Brazil to the championship, won the Golden Boot (8 goals) and the Golden Ball (best player).
Club achievements
- PSV Eindhoven: Eredivisie champion (1995), European Golden Shoe (1995).
- Barcelona: Copa del Rey (1997), Spanish Super Cup (1996).
- Inter Milan: Champion of Serie A (2006, 2007, 2008, 2010), Coppa Italia (2005, 2010), UEFA Champions League (2010, although did not appear in the final due to injury).
- Real Madrid: La Liga champion (2003, 2007), Spanish Super Cup (2003).
- AC Milan (loan): Champion of Serie A (2004).
- Corinthians: Campeonato Brasileiro Série A (2011).
Personal award
- FIFA World Player of the Year: 1996, 1997, 2002.
- Golden Ball: 2002 (shared with Oliver Kahn).
- European Golden Shoe: 1997 (La Liga top scorer).
- Best South American Footballer: 1996, 1997, 2002.
- Pichichi Trophy: 1997 (La Liga top scorer).
Records and milestones
- Top scorer of World Cup finals (8 goals, shared with Miroslav Klose until 2022).
- Youngest player in World Cup history at the time of his debut in 1994.
- Scored the most goals in a World Cup tournament (8 goals in 2002).
- Most expensive player transfer: Involved in some of the highest transfer fees of his era.
Other awards
- UEFA Team of the Year: Many options.
- Brazilian Football Confederation Silver Ball: 1993, 1994, 1997.
- Inducted into the Brazilian Football Museum Hall of Fame.
