Early Life and Education of Ronaldo (Brazilian footballer): A Complete Timeline

An overview of the childhood and early education of Ronaldo (Brazilian footballer), highlighting the experiences that shaped the journey.

Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima, known as Ronaldo or "O Fenômeno", is a Brazilian former professional footballer widely regarded as one of the greatest strikers of all time. A three-time FIFA World Player of the Year and two-time Ballon d'Or winner, he revolutionized the striker position. Currently, he owns and presides over La Liga club Real Valladolid. Ronaldo's influence extends to inspiring a generation of strikers.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Legacy & Impact

September 1976: Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima was born

On September 1976, Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima was born in Itaguaí, Brazil, to Nélio Nazário de Lima Snr. and Sônia dos Santos Barata.

1982: Zico participation in Match Against Poverty

In December 2012, 1982 World Cup star Zico turned out for Ronaldo's team in the Match Against Poverty in Porto Alegre.

1993: Romario advised Ronaldo to move to the club

In 1993, Ronaldo's Brazil teammate Romário having played for PSV from 1988 to 1993 advised Ronaldo to move to the club.

1994: Ronaldo moved to PSV

In 1994, Ronaldo moved from Cruzeiro to PSV Eindhoven, marking his transition to European football.

1996: Starring in Nike's "Good vs Evil" commercial

In 1996, Ronaldo starred in the Nike commercial "Good vs Evil", a gladiatorial game set in a Roman amphitheatre, alongside other football players.

1997: Met Susana Werner

In 1997, Ronaldo met Brazilian model and actress Susana Werner on the set of the Brazilian telenovela Malhação, where they acted together in three episodes.

1998: Featured in Nike commercial with Brazil national team

In 1998, Ronaldo featured in a Nike commercial set in an airport with stars from the Brazil national team.

1998: Pirelli commercial controversy

In 1998, Ronaldo's goal celebration was used in a Pirelli commercial, replacing Christ on the Christ the Redeemer statue, sparking controversy with the Catholic Church.

December 1999: Marriage to Milene Domingues

In December 1999, Ronaldo married Brazilian footballer Milene Domingues, who was pregnant with their first son at the time.

1999: End of Relationship with Susana Werner

In early 1999, Ronaldo's long-term relationship with Susana Werner, with whom he lived in Milan, came to an end.

April 2000: Knee injury

In April 2000, Ronaldo ruptured the cruciate ligament in his right knee, causing him to miss Brazil's entire qualification campaign for the 2002 FIFA World Cup.

April 2000: Birth of First Son

On April 6, 2000, Ronaldo and Milene Domingues' first son, Ronald, was born in Milan.

2000: United Nations Development Programme Goodwill Ambassador

In 2000, Ronaldo became a United Nations Development Programme Goodwill Ambassador.

2000: Endorsement of Ronaldo V-Football

In 2000, Ronaldo exclusively endorsed the video game Ronaldo V-Football, released for PlayStation and Game Boy Color.

Game Boy Color - Atomic Purple (Renewed)

Check it on Amazon

2000: Goodwill Ambassador for UNDP

In 2000, Ronaldo was chosen as a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) due to his global appeal. He accepted the role, viewing it as an obligation to help with causes worldwide.

2001: Cameo in Mike Bassett: England Manager

In 2001, Ronaldo made a cameo appearance in Mike Bassett: England Manager.

2002: Meeting Michele Umezu

In 2002, Ronaldo first met Michele Umezu, a Brazilian waitress, in Tokyo.

2002: Starring in Nike's "Secret Tournament" commercial

In 2002, Ronaldo starred in Nike's "Secret Tournament" commercial (branded "Scopion KO") directed by Terry Gilliam, appearing alongside other football players.

2003: Establishment of Match Against Poverty series

Ronaldo and Zidane established the Match Against Poverty series in 2003.

April 2005: Birth of Son Alexander

In April 2005, Alexander was born to Michele Umezu following a brief relationship with Ronaldo.

2005: Engagement and Breakup with Daniella Cicarelli

In 2005, Ronaldo became engaged to Brazilian model Daniella Cicarelli. The relationship ended after three months despite a luxurious wedding.

2005: Racial Identity

In 2005, Ronaldo identified as white in an interview, sparking debate about race in Brazil.

April 2007: Appearance in The Simpsons

In April 2007, Ronaldo appeared in "Marge Gamer", an episode of The Simpsons season 18. His performance was listed as one of the funniest cameos in the history of the show by Simon Crerar of The Times.

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2007: Hypothyroidism Diagnosis

During tests with Milan in 2007, Ronaldo discovered he had hypothyroidism, a condition that slows down metabolism and causes weight gain.

February 2008: Severe knee injury

In February 2008, Ronaldo suffered a severe season-ending knee injury while playing for Milan against Livorno, rupturing the kneecap ligament in his left knee. This marked the third occurrence of such an injury in his career. His teammate Clarence Seedorf likened the injury to the one he suffered playing for Inter Milan against Lazio in 2000.

April 2008: Scandal with Travesti Prostitutes

In April 2008, Ronaldo was involved in a scandal in Rio de Janeiro involving three travesti prostitutes, leading to blackmail attempts.

December 2008: Birth of First Daughter

On December 24, 2008, Ronaldo's first daughter, Maria Sophia, was born in Rio de Janeiro to Maria Beatriz Antony.

April 2009: Move to New Penthouse

In April 2009, Ronaldo and his family moved to a new penthouse in São Paulo.

2009: Cameo in Goal III: Taking on the World

In 2009, Ronaldo made a cameo appearance in Goal III: Taking on the World.

February 2010: Contract Extension with Corinthians

In February 2010, Ronaldo signed a contract extension with Corinthians, committing to the club until the end of 2011, after which he planned to retire.

April 2010: Birth of Second Daughter

On April 6, 2010, Ronaldo's second daughter, Maria Alice, was born in São Paulo, exactly 10 years after his older brother Ronald.

December 2010: Paternity and Vasectomy

In December 2010, Ronaldo confirmed paternity of Alexander and had a vasectomy, feeling four children were enough.

February 2011: Retirement Announcement

In February 2011, after Corinthians were eliminated from the 2011 Copa Libertadores, Ronaldo announced his retirement from football due to pain and hypothyroidism, concluding an 18-year career.

June 2011: Friendly match against Romania

In February 2011, it was announced that Ronaldo would be given a final match for Brazil, a friendly against Romania in São Paulo on 7 June 2011, five years after his last match with the national team.

December 2011: Match Against Poverty

On December 13, 2011, Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane played a charity match with their friends against former and current players of the German team Hamburg in the ninth edition of the Match Against Poverty series.

2011: McManaman on Ronaldo's personality

In 2011, Steve McManaman spoke about Ronaldo's inclusive and welcoming personality.

2011: Planned Retirement

In February 2010, Ronaldo planned to retire at the end of 2011, after his contract expired with Corinthians.

December 2012: Match Against Poverty in Porto Alegre

In December 2012, Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane reunited for the Match Against Poverty in Porto Alegre, Portugal, with the field including World Cup winners and Zico, Ronaldo's childhood idol.

2012: Divorce from Maria Beatriz Antony

In 2012, Ronaldo and Maria Beatriz Antony divorced.

January 2013: Ambassador of the 2014 FIFA World Cup

In January 2013, Ronaldo was named one of the six ambassadors of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

April 2013: PokerStars SportStar

In April 2013, Ronaldo became a member of PokerStars SportStar, participating in poker tournaments.

March 2014: Match Against Poverty

In March 2014, Ronaldo played in the UNDP's 11th Match Against Poverty against a Zidane XI in Bern, Switzerland. The proceeds from the match helped recovery efforts in the Philippines after Typhoon Haiyan.

December 2014: Minority Owner of Fort Lauderdale Strikers

On December 11, 2014, Ronaldo became a minority owner of the Fort Lauderdale Strikers of the North American Soccer League.

2014: Donation to Pope Francis

In 2014, Ronaldo donated a signed football to Pope Francis, which is now housed in the Vatican Museums.

2014: Starring in Nike's Risk Everything commercial

In 2014, Ronaldo starred as a mentor in Nike's Risk Everything animated commercial with a host of current players.

2014: Appearance in "We Are One (Ole Ola)" music video

In 2014, archive footage of Ronaldo was featured in the music video for "We Are One (Ole Ola)" by Pitbull and Jennifer Lopez, the official song of the 2014 World Cup.

2014: Ambassador of the 2014 FIFA World Cup

In January 2013, Ronaldo was named one of the six ambassadors of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

April 2015: Hat-trick in Match Against Poverty

On April 21, 2015, Ronaldo, joined by Didier Drogba in attack, scored a hat-trick in the UNDP's Match Against Poverty in St Etienne, France. The proceeds went towards African countries affected by the Ebola epidemic.

2015: Ronaldo Academy Expansion

In 2015, Ronaldo opened eight new branches of his youth football school, the Ronaldo Academy, in China, the U.S. and Brazil.

2017: Inclusion in FIFA 18 Ultimate Team

In 2017, Ronaldo was added as an icon to the Ultimate Team in EA Sports' FIFA 18, receiving a 95 rating. He also appears as the cover athlete on the Icon edition of the game.

2017: Son Selected for Junior Football Team

In 2017, Ronaldo's son, Ronald, was selected for the junior football team representing Brazil in the Maccabiah Games.

June 2018: Featured at 2018 FIFA World Cup opening ceremony

On June 14, 2018, Ronaldo participated in the 2018 FIFA World Cup opening ceremony at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Russia. He walked out with a child wearing a Russia 2018 shirt and returned with the Adidas Telstar 18, the official ball of the World Cup.

September 2018: Majority Owner of Real Valladolid

In September 2018, Ronaldo became the majority owner of La Liga club Real Valladolid after purchasing a 51% stake for €30 million.

2020: Ronaldo Academy Expansion Goal

By 2020, Ronaldo expected 100 Ronaldo Academy branches to be opened worldwide.

May 2021: Release of Ronaldo: El Presidente

In May 2021, DAZN released the first of a six-part series titled Ronaldo: El Presidente, which documents Ronaldo's role as president of Real Valladolid.