RONALDO
Internazionale & Brazil
Full Name: Ronaldo Luiz Nazario de Lima
Date of Birth: September 22, 1976
Birthplace: Bento Ribero, Brazil
Height: 179 cm
Weight: 75 kg
Previous Clubs: Social Ramos Clube (Brazil), Sao Cristovao (Brazil), Cruzeiro (Brazil), PSV Eindhoven (Holland), Barcelona (Spain)
Combines explosive pace with superb balance, a powerful physique and the coolest of finishes that has led to inevitable comparisons with Pele. World Player of Year in 1996 and 1997. Had previously cited biggest disappointment in career of success as failure to play in 1994 World Cup where he was member of Brazilian squad. Phenomenal goal-scoring record with Brazilian club Cruzeiro (58 goals in 60 matches) brought him to Europe.
Equally sensational at PSV Eindhoven (30 in 33) and Barcelona (34 in 37) before much-publicised and drawn out transfer to Inter in summer of 1997. Scored 34 goals in 47 matches for Inter, guiding them to the UEFA Cup and second place in the Serie A behind Juventus. Suffered a mysterious fit only hours before Brazil's 1998 World Cup defeat to hosts France at the Stade de Paris. Was originally omitted from the starting line-up by then coach Mario Zagallo but was reinstated in place of Edmundo just before the match. However, he was clearly not himself as reigning champions Brazil were outclassed by France.
Says Ronaldo: "I feel deeply about the World Cup final. I was and am still a football fan and know how Brazilians must have suffered, I know what it is like to lose a World Cup final. But the goal to be five-times World Champions did not happen. This was difficult for everyone. It was difficult for the Brazilian fans and fundamentally for me. I was desperate to play in this match. Because I did not want to let down my team-mates. Taking into account all the problems of the day I decided to fight on.
I went to the stadium and put on the shirt. We did not play well and we lost. It was not our day." Helped Brazil win the 1999 Copa America, finishing alongside teammate Rivaldo as the competition's joint top-scorer with five goals. Has been hampered by knee injuries over the past two seasons and has never recaptured the breathtaking form he showed during his first season in Italy between 1997-98. The Brazilian played only 11 full matches for Inter during the '98-99 season. Faces four to five months out of soccer after an operation on a damaged knee tendon.
