Ronaldo (Brazilian footballer)'s Success and Achievements in Timeline

A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of Ronaldo (Brazilian footballer).

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

October 1993: Ronaldo scored his first senior career hat-trick

On 5 October 1993, Ronaldo scored his first senior career hat-trick against Chilean side Colo-Colo (6–1) in the first home leg of the Supercopa Libertadores and finished as the tournament's top-scorer with 8 goals, being the youngest to do so.

1993: Ronaldo led Cruzeiro to their first Copa do Brasil

In 1993, Ronaldo helped Cruzeiro win their first Copa do Brasil.

1994: Ronaldo was part of the Brazilian squad that won the 1994 FIFA World Cup

At age 17, in 1994, Ronaldo was part of the Brazilian squad that won the 1994 FIFA World Cup.

1994: Ronaldo led Cruzeiro to the Minas Gerais State Championship

In 1994, Ronaldo led Cruzeiro to the Minas Gerais State Championship.

1995: Ronaldo was Eredivisie top scorer

In 1995, Ronaldo was the Eredivisie top scorer while playing for PSV.

October 1996: Ronaldo scored memorable goal at Compostela

On 11 October 1996, Ronaldo scored a memorable goal at Compostela, dribbling past multiple defenders. The goal was later used in a Nike advert. Also, At the end of 1996, aged 20, Ronaldo became the youngest player to win FIFA World Player of the Year.

1996: Ronaldo helped Barcelona to the 1996 Supercopa de España

In 1996, Ronaldo helped Barcelona to a win in the Supercopa de España.

1996: Ronaldo joined Barcelona

In 1996, Ronaldo joined Barcelona for a world record transfer fee and was named FIFA World Player of the Year at 20, becoming the youngest recipient of the award.

1996: Ronaldo won the Dutch Cup

In 1996, Ronaldo won the Dutch Cup with PSV.

1997: Inter Milan broke the world record fee to sign Ronaldo

In 1997, Inter Milan broke the world record fee to sign Ronaldo. He also received the Ballon d'Or at 21, and remains the youngest recipient of the award.

1997: Ronaldo won the 1996–97 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup title and La Liga top scorer award

In 1997, Ronaldo won the 1996–97 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup title with Barcelona, scoring the winning goal in the final. He also won La Liga top scorer award with 34 goals in 37 games and the European Golden Shoe.

1997: Ronaldo won the 1997 Copa América

In 1997, Ronaldo won the Copa América and was named player of the tournament.

1997: Copa América win, Confederations Cup win

In 1997, Ronaldo won the Copa América, being named player of the tournament and scoring in the final against Bolivia. He also participated in the friendly Tournoi de France, where Brazil were runners-up. Ronaldo also starred alongside Romário at the 1997 FIFA Confederations Cup, helping Brazil win their first ever title with 4 goals, including a hat-trick against Australia in the final.

1997: Inter Milan signed Ronaldo for a world record fee

In the summer of 1997, Inter Milan signed Ronaldo for a then world record fee of $27 million, making him the second player, after Diego Maradona, to break the world transfer record twice. He signed a five-year contract and was unveiled to 4,000 Inter fans. He debuted on July 27 against Manchester United, and his competitive debut was against Brescia.

1998: Ronaldo received the Golden Ball at the 1998 FIFA World Cup

At the 1998 FIFA World Cup, Ronaldo received the Golden Ball as the player of the tournament, despite suffering a convulsive fit before the final.

1998: Ronaldo became widely regarded as the best striker in the world

In 1998, Ronaldo finished his first season with 25 Serie A goals, earning the title of Serie A Footballer of the Year and winning FIFA World Player of the Year for the second time, along with the Ballon d'Or. Following the 1998 FIFA World Cup, where he was named player of the tournament, Ronaldo was widely regarded as the best striker in the world.

1998: Design of Nike Mercurial R9

In 1998, Ronaldo was closely associated with the original Nike Mercurial R9 boot, designed for him for the 1998 FIFA World Cup.

1999: Ronaldo won the 1999 Copa América

In 1999, Ronaldo won the Copa América, and was the top goalscorer.

1999: Copa América win

In 1999, Ronaldo won the Copa América, was the top scorer, and scored in the final against Uruguay.

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.

December 2002: FIFA World Player of the Year Award

In December 2002, Ronaldo dedicated his third FIFA World Player of the Year award to the medical team that helped him recover from his knee injury.

2002: World Cup Goals

At the 2006 World Cup, Ronaldo scored twice against Japan, equalling Gerd Müller's all-time World Cup finals scoring record of fourteen goals. Ronaldo scored at France 98, Korea/Japan 2002 and Germany 2006.

2002: Best Player at the World Cup

Despite not being the same as in the 1990s due to a knee injury, FourFourTwo magazine ranked Ronaldo the best player at the 2002 World Cup.

2002: Ronaldo transferred to Real Madrid and won the FIFA World Player of the Year award

In 2002, Ronaldo helped Brazil win their fifth World Cup title. Later in 2002, he won the FIFA World Player of the Year award for the third time, and transferred from Inter to Real Madrid.

2002: Ronaldo scored eight goals in a single World Cup

In 2002, Ronaldo scored eight goals in a single World Cup. This comeback was after knee injuries at Inter Milan.

2002: Ronaldo won the 2002 FIFA World Cup

In 2002, Ronaldo won the FIFA World Cup, scored twice in the final, and received the Golden Boot as the tournament's top goalscorer. He was also named FIFA World Player of the Year and received the Ballon d'Or.

2002: World Cup Victory and Golden Boot

In 2002, after recovering from a severe knee injury, Ronaldo led Brazil to their record fifth World Cup title and won the Golden Boot as the tournament's top scorer with eight goals.

2002: Miroslav Klose at the 2002 FIFA World Cup

Ronaldo and Klinsmann's shared record of at least three goals in three separate World Cup finals was broken by German striker Miroslav Klose, who has a record of at least four goals in each of three tournaments at the 2002 finals.

2003: Ronaldo received a standing ovation at Old Trafford

In 2003, Ronaldo received a standing ovation at Old Trafford. This recognition occurred during the later part of his career, following knee injuries at Inter Milan that affected his explosiveness.

2003: Real Madrid won La Liga title

In 2003, Ronaldo scored in the final game of the season against Athletic Bilbao to finish his first season with 23 league goals and seal La Liga title for Real Madrid. He also won an Intercontinental Cup in 2002 and Supercopa de España in 2003, scoring in both finals.

2004: Named in FIFA 100 list

In 2004, Ronaldo was named in the FIFA 100 list of the greatest living players compiled by Pelé.

2006: Ronaldo scored his 15th World Cup goal

At the 2006 FIFA World Cup, Ronaldo scored his 15th World Cup goal, setting a tournament record at the time.

2006: World Cup Goals and Record

At the 2006 World Cup, Ronaldo scored twice against Japan, equalling Gerd Müller's all-time World Cup finals scoring record of fourteen goals. He then broke Müller's record against Ghana. Brazil were knocked out by France in the quarter-finals.

2006: Milan won the 2006-07 title

During the 2006–07 season, though Milan won the 2006–07 title, Ronaldo was cup-tied with Madrid and ineligible to take part.

2006: Miroslav Klose breaks Ronaldo's record

2008: Ronaldo remained the last player to score more than 30 goals in La Liga

Until the 2008–09 season, Ronaldo remained the last player to score more than 30 goals in La Liga, highlighting his impact during the 1996-97 season.

2009: Copa do Brasil title with Corinthians

In 2009, Ronaldo scored in Corinthians' 4–2 aggregate defeat of Internacional in the final of the Copa do Brasil, helping the club win the trophy for the third time and earning a spot in the Copa Libertadores 2010.

2010: Copa Libertadores qualification

Because of Corinthians' Copa do Brasil title in 2009, the club earned a spot in the Copa Libertadores 2010.

2010: Miroslav Klose breaks Ronaldo's record

2018: Ronaldo was named among the inaugural inductees into the Inter Milan Hall of Fame

In 2018, Ronaldo's performances at Inter Milan, especially in the first two seasons before his injury, led to him being named among the four inaugural inductees into the Inter Milan Hall of Fame.

2020: Named in Ballon d'Or Dream Team

In 2020, Ronaldo was named in the Ballon d'Or Dream Team, a greatest all-time XI published by France Football magazine, solidifying his place among the greatest players ever.

September 2023: Neymar surpasses Pelé

As of September 2023, Ronaldo retired from international football as the second-highest goalscorer for his country, behind only Pelé. Neymar has since surpassed Pelé, with Ronaldo the third-highest scorer.