Ronaldo Nazário
The Phenomenon who scored 15 World Cup goals, a tournament record, and won the Golden Boot and Golden Ball in 2002.
Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima, known mononymously as Ronaldo and nicknamed O Fenômeno, is a Brazilian former professional footballer who played as a striker. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. At the FIFA World Cup, he played for Brazil in three tournaments: 1998, 2002, and 2006. He scored 15 World Cup goals, a tournament record at the time. His World Cup journey includes winning the Golden Ball as the player of the tournament in 1998, the Golden Boot as the top goalscorer in 2002, and scoring twice in the 2002 final to help Brazil win the title.
- Role
- Striker
- National Team
- Brazil
- World Cup Appearances
- 1998, 2002, 2006
- Total World Cup Goals
- 15
- Major Honours
- FIFA World Cup Winner (2002), FIFA World Cup Runner-up (1998)
- Individual Awards
- FIFA World Cup Best Player (2002), Golden Boot (2002)
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
At age 17, Ronaldo was the youngest member of the Brazilian squad that won the 1994 FIFA World Cup, though he did not play in any games. At the 1998 FIFA World Cup, he received the Golden Ball as the player of the tournament after helping Brazil reach the final, where he suffered a convulsive fit hours before kick-off. He won the 2002 FIFA World Cup, starring in a front three with Ronaldinho and Rivaldo. Ronaldo scored twice in the final and received the Golden Boot as the tournament's top goalscorer. This achievement, viewed as 'redemption' for what occurred at the previous World Cup, saw Ronaldo named the 2002 FIFA World Player of the Year, receive the 2002 Ballon d'Or, and win the Laureus World Sports Award for Comeback of the Year. At the 2006 FIFA World Cup, Ronaldo scored his 15th World Cup goal, a tournament record at the time.
In Their Own Story
In the 2002 World Cup final, Ronaldo scored twice, securing Brazil's fifth title. His first goal came in the 67th minute, a low shot from the edge of the box after a defensive error. His second, in the 79th minute, was a composed finish from a Rivaldo shot that the German goalkeeper could not hold. Ronaldo finished the tournament with eight goals, winning the Golden Boot. He also received the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player. This performance was seen as redemption after the 1998 final, where he suffered a convulsive fit hours before kick-off and Brazil lost to France.
Reader's Guide
Ronaldo's World Cup career spans three tournaments. In 1998, he scored four goals and won the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player, despite Brazil losing the final. In 2002, he scored eight goals, including two in the final, winning both the Golden Boot and the Golden Ball. In 2006, he scored three goals, including his 15th World Cup goal, which set a new tournament record. He is the third-highest goalscorer for Brazil, with 62 goals in 98 matches.
Did You Know?
- Ronaldo was the youngest member of the Brazilian squad that won the 1994 FIFA World Cup, at age 17, but did not play in any games.
- He suffered a convulsive fit hours before the 1998 World Cup final, which Brazil lost to France.
- Ronaldo scored twice in the 2002 World Cup final, securing Brazil's fifth title and winning the Golden Boot as top scorer.
- His 15th World Cup goal, scored in 2006, was a tournament record at the time.
- Ronaldo is the third-highest goalscorer for Brazil, with 62 goals in 98 matches.
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