Few footballers have carried the weight of expectation, endured such crushing setbacks, and yet risen again with the brilliance of Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima. Known simply as O Fenômeno, Ronaldo’s Brazil career was a story of breathtaking goals, cruel injuries, and ultimate redemption on the world’s biggest stage. With 62 goals in 98 appearances, he remains one of the Seleção’s greatest strikers and a symbol of resilience.
From Wonderkid to World Champion
Ronaldo made his Brazil debut in 1994 as a 17-year-old prodigy, already hailed as the next great striker. Though he did not play at the 1994 World Cup in the United States, he was part of the squad that lifted the trophy. For the teenager, it was the beginning of a journey that would define his career.
By 1997, Ronaldo was the best player in the world. His pace, strength, and devastating finishing terrified defences. He won the FIFA World Player of the Year award twice before the age of 22 and was the undisputed star leading into the 1998 World Cup in France.
1998: The Mystery of Paris
Ronaldo dominated much of the 1998 tournament, scoring four goals and guiding Brazil to the final against hosts France. But hours before kick-off, chaos struck: Ronaldo suffered a mysterious seizure in the team hotel. Initially left out of the lineup, he was reinstated just before the match, clearly unfit. Brazil lost 3–0, and the episode became one of football’s great controversies.
For Ronaldo, it was both a personal and national trauma. He returned to Brazil vilified by some, pitied by others. But the hunger for redemption burned brightly.
2002: The Comeback of a Lifetime
The years that followed were cruel. Serious knee injuries sidelined Ronaldo for nearly two years, leading many to believe his career was over. Yet in 2002, he returned in time for the World Cup in South Korea and Japan — and produced one of the greatest redemption stories in football history.
With his distinctive shaved head and trademark smile, Ronaldo scored eight goals in the tournament, including both in the final against Germany. His poacher’s instinct and lethal finishing carried Brazil to their fifth World Cup title. From broken star to global hero, Ronaldo’s resurrection was complete. He was once again crowned FIFA World Player of the Year.
2006: The Record-Breaker
Ronaldo’s final World Cup came in 2006 in Germany. Though no longer at his physical peak, he still had goals in him. He scored three times, including against Ghana, surpassing Gerd Müller’s record to become the World Cup’s all-time leading scorer with 15 goals (a record later overtaken by Miroslav Klose).
Brazil fell to France in the quarter-finals, ending Ronaldo’s World Cup story. But his individual achievement cemented his legacy: a player who thrived on the biggest stage despite adversity.
Style and Brilliance
At his peak, Ronaldo was unstoppable. His acceleration, power, and close control made him unlike any striker before him. He could dribble from halfway, beat defenders with feints, and finish with unerring precision. For Brazil, he was the ultimate No 9, capable of turning tight games with a single burst.
His partnership with Rivaldo and Ronaldinho — the “Three Rs” — epitomised Brazil’s attacking flair in the early 2000s. Together, they embodied both joy and ruthlessness in front of goal.
Legacy
Ronaldo retired from Brazil duty in 2011 with 62 goals, third on the all-time list. But his impact was far greater than statistics. He symbolised resilience: the boy who collapsed in Paris, the man who came back from shattered knees, the striker who lifted a nation in Yokohama.
For Brazilians, Ronaldo was not just O Fenômeno for his goals, but for his humanity — flawed, vulnerable, yet brilliant. In the history of the Seleção, few stories shine brighter than his.
