Brazilian · Bento Ribeiro, Rio de Janeiro · Born 18 September 1976Two-time FIFA World Player of the Year and two-time World Cup winner whose 15 goals in the 2002 tournament remain the record for a single World Cup, delivered despite two career-threatening knee injuries.
Ronaldo Nazário scored twice in the 2002 World Cup final against Germany to deliver Brazil the world title — redemption for the mysterious pre-match seizure that had preceded his subdued 1998 final — and finished his international career with 15 World Cup goals, a tournament record that stood for over a decade. He was identified as a generational talent at 16. His Barcelona season in 1996-97 produced 47 goals — considered one of the finest individual seasons in La Liga history. He won the Ballon d'Or in 1997 and 2002. His World Cup record — 62 international goals including 15 in World Cups — established him as Brazil's all-time leading scorer. The night before the 1998 World Cup Final he suffered a mysterious seizure — his appearance in that final despite the episode is one of football's most discussed medical mysteries, as Brazil lost 3-0 to France. He won the World Cup in 2002 — scoring twice in the final against Germany, including two goals from outside the area and one from the spot — redemption for 1998 and the peak of his career. His combination of raw pace, strength and finishing ability at his peak — before the knee injuries that effectively ended his explosive running in 2001 and slowed him thereafter — was described by contemporaries as genuinely unlike anything they had seen.
Phenomenal speed, dribbling ability and clinical finishing
How They Played
Explosive pace, exceptional dribbling, clinical finishing, and ability to score from any position
Lasting Impact
Revolutionized the striker position with his explosive pace and technical ability
Career Honours
- World Cup 1994, 2002
- Ballon d'Or 1997, 2002
- Champions League 1998
- Copa América 1997, 1999
- UEFA Cup 1998
- La Liga 1996-97
- Serie A 1997-98
| Club | Period | Apps | Goals | Shirt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cruzeiro | 1993–1994 | 34 | 34 | #9 |
| PSV | 1994–1996 | 46 | 42 | — |
| Barcelona | 1996–1997 | 37 | 34 | — |
| Inter Milan | 1997–2002 | 68 | 49 | — |
| Real Madrid | 2002–2007 | 127 | 83 | — |
| AC Milan | 2007–2008 | 20 | 9 | — |
| Corinthians | 2009–2011 | 52 | 29 | — |
 Brazil | — | 98 | 62 | — |
Brazilian Athletes