Ronaldo 9 Bioraphy

Soccer Player(1976-)

QUICK FACTS

NAME: Ronaldo

OCCUPATION: Soccer Players

BIRTH DATE: September 18,  1976 (age 38)

PLACE OF BIRTH: Itaguai, Brazil

AKA: Ronaldo               Ronaldo Nazário de Lima

FULL NAME: Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima

NICKNAME: "Fenômeno""Il Fenomeno"

QUOTES

“You run, I don't. I score goals.”

—Ronaldo

Soccer player Ronaldo starred for the Brazilian national team and several European clubs over the course of a career that spanned nearly two decades.

Synopsis

Born on September 18, 1976, in Itaguaí, Brazil, Ronaldo established himself as an unstoppable scorer for European soccer teams in the mid-1990s. He bounced back from a disappointing finish to the 1998 World Cup and a series of knee injuries to lead Brazil to victory in the 2002 World Cup, and retired in 2011 as one of the game's all-time greats.

Early Life

Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima was born on September 18, 1976, in Itaguaí, Brazil. His parents, Nélio Nazário de Lima and Sônia dos Santos Barata, separated when he was 11, and Ronaldo dropped out of school shortly afterward to pursue a soccer career.

Ronaldo joined the Social Ramos indoor soccer team at the age of 12 before moving on to São Cristóvão, where he was discovered by his future agents, Reinaldo Pitta and Alexandre Martins. The two arranged for the sale of their new client's contract to Cruzeiro, a professional club in the city of Belo Horizonte.

Professional Soccer Player

Ronaldo showcased his impressive goal-scoring ability for Cruzeiro, helping the club to its first Brazil Cup championship in 1993. The talented 17-year-old was named to the Brazilian national team for the 1994 World Cup in the United States, though he watched from the bench as his countrymen won the Cup.

Ronaldo hit the ground running when his contract was sold to PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands in 1994, averaging nearly a goal per game against top-notch European competition. Two years with PSV Eindhoven were followed by one with FC Barcelona and then a move to Inter Milan, a four-year period in which Ronaldo twice won FIFA World Player of the Year and carried his teams to victory in the Dutch and Spanish Super Cups.

During his peak, Ronaldo possessed an unstoppable combination of speed and power, equally capable of plowing through defenders as he was of nimbly sidestepping their attacks and accelerating away. Adding to his aura was an aversion to practicing and training hard, an attitude that did little to stem his dominance.

Big things were expected from Ronaldo and Brazil in the 1998 World Cup in France, but while he was named the Golden Ball winner as the Cup's best player, the tournament ended on a sour note when Ronaldo suffered a convulsive fit before the final and was ineffective in a 3-0 loss to the host country. Bigger setbacks followed when Ronaldo ruptured a knee tendon in November 1999 and reinjured the knee five months later, knocking him out of action for almost two years.

Ronaldo made a triumphant return in time for the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan, netting eight goals to win the Golden Boot Award as the Cup's top scorer while leading Brazil its fifth world championship. Ronaldo transferred to Real Madrid that fall, winning the FIFA World Player of the Year Award a third time before leading his new club to La Liga and Spanish Super Cup championships in 2003.

Ronaldo appeared in one final World Cup for Brazil in 2006. Although Brazil was bounced in the quarterfinals by France, Ronaldo scored three times to set a record with 15 career goals in World Cup play.

Ronaldo transferred to AC Milan in 2007, but in 2008 he sustained another serious knee injury and his contract was not renewed after the season. The Brazilian legend returned to his home country in 2009 to play for Corinthians, helping them to victories in the Campeonato Paulista league and Brazil Cup that year, before announcing his retirement in February 2011.

Post-Career and Legacy

Ronaldo is recognized as one of the best soccer players in history. In 2004, he was named to the FIFA 100, a list of the greatest living players compiled by the legendary Pelé, and in 2010, he was deemed Goal.com's "Player of the Decade."

Often criticized for not training hard as a pro athlete, Ronaldo set himself up for an active post-playing career by founding 9ine, a sports marketing agency. He also joined the organizing committees for the Brazil-based 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics, ensuring that he would remain an influential figure in Brazilian sports and international affairs for years to come.

Romário Biography

Romário de Souza Faria, better known simply as Romário, is a former Brazilian footballer, and one of the most famous Brazilian strikers and politicians. In 1994 Romário was elected FIFA World Player of the year. In 2004 he was included in Pele's list of the 125 greatest living soccer players!

He is also one of the few players who managed to score 1,000 official goals during his 23 year career.

Early Career

Romário was born on the 29th of January 1966 in Rio de Janeiro, also known as the hub for world class Brazilian footballers.

In 1981 he was integrated into the youth system of local youth club Vasco de Gama, where he spent five years, climbing through the ranks until he was promoted to the first team in 1985.

His three seasons at the club, where he was immediately thrown in to the deep end, earned him valuable experience as well fame from overseas which came in the shape of an offer from Dutch powerhouse PSV Eindhoven.

PSV Eindhoven

From 1988 to 1992 the both footed Romário played in the Eredivisie for PSV Eindhoven. His coach there was the Dutchman Guus Hiddink, who described Romário as "the most interesting player I ever worked with" and especially praised his enormous presence and strong nerves in important games, in which he often scored the winning goal.

With PSV he won the League in 1989, 1991 and 1992 on top of being elected Footballer of the Year in the Netherlands in 1989. He scored a total of 174 goals for PSV Eindhoven.

FC Barcelona

In 1993 he moved for a transfer fee of six million dollars to Spanish giants FC Barcelona, where he formed a furious attack along with players like Michael Laudrup, Hristo Stoichkov and Josep Guardiola.

With 30 goals in 33 games, he was top scorer in the Spanish League and helped Barcelona to the first of two Spanish league titles.

At the El Clásico against Real Madrid, he managed to score a hat trick, and also assisted a goal for a 5-0 final score.

In 1994, he led his team to the title defense, as well as victory in the Spanish Supercup.

His coach was in Barcelona Johan Cruyff, who characterized Romário as the "genius of the penalty area".

Between Rio de Janeiro and Valencia

In 1995, the newly crowned world champion returned, initially on loan back, to Brazil to play for Flamengo. There he formed together with the two players Edmundo and Sávio an attacking trident which was characterized by the local press as "the best storm of the world".

In 1996, Flamengo won the Brazilian championship. In the 1996/97 and 1997/98 seasons, Romário went on loan at Valencia.

In 2000, Romário returned to Vasco da Gama and helped the club win the Copa Mercosur and the Brazilian championship title. He was also elected to South America's Footballer of the Year in that same year.

After a couple of years at Vasco de Gama, he had another two-year stint at Fluminese, after which he returned to Vasco de Gama for a third time. He then spent some time in the USL first division with Miami FC, as well as in the A League with Adelaide United.

Back at Vasco de Gama

From January 2007 he was back at Vasco da Gama. However, he had no permission to play as a player, according to FIFA regulations, as he may only be in use for a maximum of two clubs in one season.

On the 20th of May 2007 he scored his 1000th goal against Recife, something only achieved by compatriots Pele and Arthur Friedenreich before him!

On the 15th of April 2008, Romário announced that he would retire from professional Football.

International Career

For the Brazilian national football team Romário scored 55 goals in 70 international matches making him the third top scorer of all-time for Brazil behind Pele and Ronaldo!

He played his debut on the 23rd of May 1987 in Dublin against Ireland and scored his first goal five days later in Helsinki against Finland.

Romário had the expected significant share of the Brazilian World Cup victory in 1994, when he was elected the best player of the tournament. In a very controlled team, he stood out as the only "artist" on the ball.

He scored five goals in that tournament.

On the 27th of April 2005, almost four years after his penultimate International Match, he played his farewell game in which he contributed a goal for the 3-0 win against Guatemala.

Kaká Biography

Soccer Player, Philanthropist (1982–)

Professional soccer player Kaká helped São Paulo take home the World Cup title in 2002. He later lead Milan to Champions League and Club World Cup titles.

Quick Facts:

Name: Kaka

Occupation: Soccer Player, Philantrophist

Birth Place: Brasilia, Brazil

Zodiac sign: Taurus

Synopsis

Kaká was born on April 22, 1982, in Brasilia, Brazil. He made his professional debut with São Paulo's senior team. He aided his team in taking home the Torneio Rio-Sao Paulo title in 2001. In 2002 his team also took home the World Cup title. In 2003, the midfielder left his home country for a new team and a new contract in Milan, Italy. In 2009, Milan handed Kaká over to the Real Madrid club.

Early Life

Professional soccer player. Born Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite on April 22, 1982, in Brasilia, the capital city of Brazil. A top-level player soccer player throughout his youth, Kaká began his move toward the professional ranks at the age of 15, when he signed to the São Paulo youth club. His bright career was brought to a halt only three years later, when a swimming pool accident fractured a vertebrae in his neck. The incident could have paralyzed the athlete, but Kaká fully healed. Crediting God for his miraculous recovery, the budding star began leading an actively Christian life, engaging in daily prayer; tithing a portion of his income to the church; refusing to swear; and remaining chaste until his marriage to childhood sweetheart Caroline Celico in 2005.

Outstanding Rookie Year

A year after the injury, Kaká made his professional debut with São Paulo's senior team in dramatic fashion. In the closing minutes of a tight game he scored two times, sealing a win for his club. The performance proved to be the start of a successful rookie year that would see him score 12 times in just 27 games. He also aided his team in taking home the Torneio Rio-Sao Paulo title in 2001 - the only time the team has won the championship to date. In 2002, while seeing limited action, his team also took home the World Cup title.

Accolades at Milan

In 2003, the midfielder left his home country for a new team and a new contract in Milan, Italy. For Milan, the transfer had cost $10 million, a sum that the club's owner labeled as "peanuts" compared to the talent he was getting. It didn't take long for Kaká to live up to his pricetag. Over the next several seasons, Kaká assembled a player résumé like no other. His accolades included The Serie A Foreign Footballer of the Year title in 2004 and 2006, as well as recognition as the Champions League Best Midfielder in 2005.

But his finest season to date came in 2007, when Kaká became the league's top scorer, and led his team to Champions League and Club World Cup titles. In addition, he was named the European Footballer of the Year, World Soccer Player of the year, FIFA World Cup Best Player, and FIFA World Player of the Year.

For much of his time in Milan, rumors circulated that he may leave for another team. In January 2009, talks heated up between Milan and Manchester City about a proposed $145 million transfer that would see Kaká move north to England. Negotiations eventually came undone, but not the rumors about the player's departure. Five months later, the Milan team - a club that was deeply in debt - handed Kaká over to the Real Madrid club in Spain for a $78 million, six-year contract. "Now the soap opera is over," Kaká told reporters.

Personal Life

For Kaká, the change meant a new team and a new contract, but not a new life. In a sport that has its share of glitz and glamour, the playmaker has been unafraid to voice his Christian faith. "Cars and women, things like that, have never been important to me," said the player. "My family, and my belief in God and Jesus are the things which determine my life. I do want to live my life in the right way, and live my life close to God." The player has tried to back up his words with action.

In 2004, he became the U.N. World Food Program's youngest ambassador, a recognition that has seen the soccer star support programs that try to address world hunger. In 2008, for example, he helped the organization launch "Fill the Cup", an ambitious relief effort that works to get food to the estimated 59 million children in developing countries.

In 2008, Kaká celebrated a different milestone when his wife gave birth to a baby boy, Luca Celico Leite. The couple resides in Madrid, Spain.

Ronaldinho Biography

Ronaldinho Biography

Soccer Player (1980–)

Soccer superstar Ronaldinho was a member of Brazil's 2002 World Cup championship team and twice won the FIFA World Player of the Year award.

Synopsis

Born on March 21, 1980, in Porto Alegre, Brazil, Ronaldinho came from a family of soccer players to reach the pinnacle of success in the sport. After a celebrated youth career, Ronaldinho became a key member of the Brazilian team that won the 2002 World Cup. He has played for clubs in Brazil, France, Spain and Italy, and twice been named FIFA World Player of the Year.

Early Life

Ronaldinho was born Ronaldo de Assis Moreira on March 21, 1980, in Porto Alegre, Brazil. His father, João Moreira, was a former professional soccer player who also worked as a welder in a shipyard, and his mother, Miguelina de Assis, was a cosmetics saleswoman who later became a nurse. Ronaldinho's older brother, Roberto Assis, was also a professional soccer player; Ronaldinho was surrounded by soccer from the day he was born. "I come from a family where soccer has always been very present," he says. "My uncles, my father and my brother were all players. Living with that kind of background, I learned a great deal from them. I tried to devote myself to it more and more with the passage of time."

In particular, Ronaldinho idolized his father. "He was one of the most important people for me and in my career, even though he died when I was very young," he says. (João Moreira suffered a fatal heart attack when Ronaldinho was 8 years old.) "He gave me some of the best advice I've ever had. Off the field: 'Do the right thing and be an honest, straight-up guy.' And on the field: 'Play soccer as simply as possible.' He always said one of the most complicated things you can do is to play it simple."

Ronaldinho began playing organized youth soccer at the age of 7, and it was as a youth soccer player that he first received the nickname "Ronaldinho," the diminutive form of his birth name, Ronaldo. "They always called me that when I was little because I was really small," the player explains, "and I played with players who were older than me. When I got to the senior national team there was another Ronaldo, so they started calling me Ronaldinho because I was younger."

Growing up in a relatively poor, hardscrabble neighborhood, Ronaldinho's youth teams had to make do with makeshift playing fields. "The only grass on the field was in the corner," Ronaldinho remembers. "There was no grass in the middle! It was just sand." In addition to soccer, Ronaldinho also played futsal—an offshoot of soccer played indoors on a hard court surface and with only five players on each side. Ronaldinho's early experiences with futsal helped shape his unique playing style, marked by his remarkable touch and close control on the ball. "A lot of the moves I make originate from futsal," Ronaldinho once said, explaining, "It's played in a very small space, and the ball control is different in futsal. And to this day, my ball control is pretty similar to a futsal player's control."

Ronaldinho quickly developed into one of Brazil's most talented youth soccer players. When he was 13 years old, he once scored a ridiculous 23 goals in a single game. While leading his team to a variety of junior championships, Ronaldinho immersed himself in Brazil's long and glorious soccer history, studying past greats such as Pelé, Rivelino and Ronaldo, and dreaming of following in their footsteps. Then, in 1997, a teenaged Ronaldinho won a call-up to Brazil's Under-17 national team. The squad won the FIFA Under-17 World Championship in Egypt, and Ronaldinho was selected as the tournament's best player. Soon afterward, Ronaldinho signed his first professional contract to play for Grêmio, one of the most celebrated teams in the Brazilian league.

Professional Career

Ronaldinho made his senior debut for Grêmio in the 1998 Copa Libertadores tournament. The next year, he was invited to join the senior Brazilian national team to compete in the Confederations Cup in Mexico. Brazil turned in a second-place finish, and Ronaldinho won the Golden Ball Award as the tournament's best player as well as the Golden Boot Award as its leading goal scorer.

Firmly established as a star on the international stage, in 2001 Ronaldinho left Brazil for Europe, signing a contract to play for Paris Saint-Germain in France. A year later, he participated in his first World Cup on a loaded Brazilian squad that also featured Ronaldo and Rivaldo. Ronaldinho scored two goals in five matches, including the game-winner in a quarter-final victory over England, and Brazil went on to defeat Germany in the finals to claim its fifth World Cup title.

In 2003, Ronaldinho fulfilled a lifelong dream by joining FC Barcelona of the Spanish league, one of the world's most storied clubs, and winning the legendary No. 10 jersey typically worn by the squad's greatest creative player. In 2004 and 2005, Ronaldinho won back-to-back FIFA World Player of the Year awards, the sport's highest individual honor. He also led his teammates to the pinnacle of club success in 2006 with a triumphant run through the prestigious Champions League tournament. The following month, Ronaldinho headlined a very talented Brazilian squad that entered the World Cup with sky-high expectations. The tournament ended in disappointment for the defending champs, though, as France knocked Brazil out with a stunning upset in the quarter-finals.

In 2008, Ronaldinho left Barcelona to join another of the world's most renowned clubs, A.C. Milan, but his performance for the Italian Series A giant was mostly nondescript. Underscoring his fading status, the former World Player of the Year was not included in the 2010 Brazilian team that competed in the World Cup in South Africa.

In 2011, Ronaldinho returned to Brazil to play for Flamengo in Rio de Janeiro. The relationship between the club and its most prominent player got off to a great start when Flamengo won the 2011 Campeonato Carioca, but things turned sour by the following season. Ronaldinho missed several practices and performed indifferently in games, and eventually had his contract terminated due to unpaid wages. Ronaldinho signed with Atlético Mineiro in June 2012, a move that reignited his dynamic playmaking abilities, and he was given another shot with the national team to make the 2014 World Cup roster.

Personal Life and Legacy

In 2005, Ronaldinho and Brazilian dancer Janaína Mendes had a son, named João, after Ronaldinho's late father. The Brazilian superstar remains close to his family, with brother Roberto serving as his agent and sister Deisy acting as his press coordinator.

An absolute wizard with a soccer ball, Ronaldinho is considered by many to be the greatest player of his generation and one of the best in history. He says that his soccer career has been an emotional roller coaster filled with high highs, low lows and a lifetime of unforgettable moments. "For me soccer provides so many emotions, a different feeling every day," Ronaldinho says. "I've had the good fortune to take part in major competitions like the Olympics, and winning the World Cup was also unforgettable. We lost in the Olympics and won in the World Cup, and I'll never forget either feeling."

QUICK FACTS 

NAme: Ronaldinho

OCCUPATION: Soccer Player

BIRTH DATE: March 21, 1980 (age 34)

PLACE OF BIRTH: Porto Alegre, Brazil

AKA: Ronaldinho

FULL NAME: Ronaldo de Assis Moreira

ZODIAC SIGN: Aries

“I come from a family where soccer has always been very present.”

—Ronaldinho

World Cup 1998 Brazil

Brazil

Head coach: Mário Zagallo

No. Pos. Player DoB/Age Caps Club 1 GK Taffarel 8 May 1966 (aged 32)  Atlético Mineiro 2 DF Cafu 7 June 1970 (aged 28)  Roma 3 DF Aldair 30 November 1965 (aged 32)  Roma 4 DF Júnior Baiano 14 March 1970 (aged 28)  Flamengo 5 MF César Sampaio 31 March 1968 (aged 30)  Yokohama Flügels 6 DF Roberto Carlos 10 April 1973 (aged 25)  Real Madrid 7 MF Giovanni 4 February 1972 (aged 26)  Barcelona 8 MF Dunga (Captain) 31 October 1963 (aged 34)  Júbilo Iwata 9 FW Ronaldo 22 September 1976 (aged 21)  Internazionale 10 MF Rivaldo 19 April 1972 (aged 26)  Barcelona 11 MF Emerson 4 April 1976 (aged 22)  Bayer Leverkusen 12 GK Carlos Germano 14 August 1970 (aged 27)  Vasco da Gama 13 DF Zé Carlos 14 November 1968 (aged 29)  São Paulo 14 DF Gonçalves 22 February 1966 (aged 32)  Botafogo 15 DF André Cruz 20 September 1968 (aged 29)  Milan 16 MF Zé Roberto 6 July 1974 (aged 23)  Flamengo 17 MF Doriva 28 May 1972 (aged 26)  Porto 18 MF Leonardo 5 September 1969 (aged 28)  Milan 19 MF Denílson 24 August 1977 (aged 20)  São Paulo 20 FW Bebeto 16 February 1964 (aged 34)  Botafogo 21 FW Edmundo 2 April 1971 (aged 27)  Fiorentina 22 GK Dida 7 October 1973 (aged 24)  Cruzeiro