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Portugal Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima transitioned from a football prodigy to a global icon, known for his explosive speed, dazzling skill, and prolific goal-scoring, setting records and influencing a generation of strikers.
Ronaldo has been sponsored by Nike since the early part of his career, signing a 10-year contract in 1996 and a lifetime endorsement deal worth over $180 million. He is closely associated with the original Nike Mercurial R9 boots, designed for him for the 1998 FIFA World Cup. Nike has featured Ronaldo in numerous commercials, including "Good vs Evil" (1996) and "Secret Tournament" (2002).
Ronaldo appeared in various commercials for Pirelli tyres, notably in 1998 where his goal celebration pose replaced the figure of Christ from the Christ the Redeemer statue in a controversial advert.
Ronaldo appeared in commercials for Snickers chocolate bar.
The video game 'Ronaldo V-Football' was exclusively endorsed by Ronaldo and released in 2000 for PlayStation and Game Boy Color.
Ronaldo was added as an icon to the Ultimate Team in EA Sports' FIFA video games, specifically FIFA 18, and also appeared as the cover athlete for the Icon edition of the game.
Born on September 18, 1976, in Itaguaí, Brazil, Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima began his football journey playing futsal on the streets of Bento Ribeiro. His exceptional talent was quickly recognized, leading him to join the São Cristóvão youth team at a young age. Spotted by former Brazilian player Jairzinho, Ronaldo moved to Cruzeiro, where he made his professional debut in May 1993, scoring 44 goals in 47 games over two seasons and winning the Copa do Brasil in 1993 and the Campeonato Mineiro in 1994. This early success set the stage for his move to European football.
Ronaldo’s career progressed rapidly with transfers to top European clubs. He joined PSV in 1994, scoring 54 goals in 58 games across two seasons. In 1996, he moved to Barcelona for a world-record fee, where he scored 47 goals in 49 games, winning the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup, the Supercopa de España, and the Pichichi Trophy. His two-year spell at Inter Milan, also involving a world-record transfer, saw him earn the nickname “Il Fenomeno” and win the UEFA Cup in 1998, along with two FIFA World Player of the Year awards and a Ballon d’Or. His career, however, was marked by recurring knee injuries, starting in late 1999, which sidelined him for nearly three years. Despite these setbacks, he made a triumphant return at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, leading Brazil to victory and earning the Golden Boot.
Following the World Cup, Ronaldo joined Real Madrid in 2002, becoming part of the “Galácticos” era. He continued his prolific scoring, netting over 100 goals and winning La Liga in 2003, the Intercontinental Cup in 2002, and the Supercopa de España in 2003. He received his second Ballon d’Or in 2002 and a third FIFA World Player of the Year award. Later career spells included AC Milan and Corinthians, where he won the Campeonato Paulista and Copa do Brasil in 2009. Ronaldo announced his retirement in 2011, citing his body’s inability to cope with injuries and a diagnosis of hypothyroidism. Post-retirement, he transitioned into club ownership, acquiring a majority stake in Real Valladolid in 2018 and his boyhood club Cruzeiro in 2021, and has also served as a United Nations Development Programme Goodwill Ambassador.
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