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Il Fenomeno, Ronaldo Luis Nazario de Lima - Tribute to a legend

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Ivana Rocket lavishes praise on Brazilian footballing God that is Ronaldo, the Phenomenon, who remains a shining beacon in footballing history.
It all started on that fateful day; 18th September, 1976, when Il Fenomeno was born in the suburbs of Rio de Janeiro. The kid had a passion for football ever since he was a kid, and he made that count when he signed for Tennis Club Valqueire as a 10 year old. There was no looking back after that.
After having stints with lower division teams, Ronaldo made his senior debut for http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Ronaldo-c31734, who would go on to dazzle the world with extraterrestrial skill for years to come.
Il Fenomeno moved to http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/FC-Barcelona-c39078 in 1996, and scored 47 goals in 49 appearances. Ronaldo’s performance in that season is widely regarded as one of the greatest individual campaigns in football’s illustrious history. Sadly for Blaugrana faithful, Ronaldo left the club after a single season as he was far from happy with the management.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Inter-c39567 Milan paid a then world record fee of 19 million pounds and sealed the legend’s signature. Needless to say, Ronaldo was an instant success. Racking in goals from left, right and centre, Il Fenomeno became a firm fan favourite. However, Ronaldo’s blistering career was brought to a halt on November 21st, 1999, when the player ruptured his right knee ligaments that required intensive surgery. After spending five months on the treatment table, Ronaldo returned to the pitch in April the following year. His dream return ended up being a nightmare as the player suffered a relapse of the previous injury just seven minutes into the game. The world did not see the Brazilian grace a pitch for almost two years. Ronaldo was to make his return for the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
Returning to the pitch after two years on the sidelines, not much was expected from Ronaldo. However, Il Fenomeno’s World Cup campaign is one for the history books. Etched in the footballing folklore are his eight goals that won Brazil their fifth world cup. Ronaldo sealed his name as one of the greatest players of the beautiful game. One gets shivers thinking about the player Ronaldo would have become had the injuries not hampered his growth.
Ronaldo’s move to Real Madrid immediately after the World Cup left the Nerazzurri faithful bitter, but the legend cared for naught. The goals just kept coming and records continued to be broken. His Los Merengues no. 9 jersey kept breaking shirt sales records as the world watched the player in amazement. However, recurring injuries, unacceptable weight gain and his flair for Samba lifestyle sealed his departure from the club. AC Milan took on the Brazilian legend but it became evident that Il Fenomeno’s body had grown too fragile for the rigours of European football.
Ronaldo returned to http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Joga-c18765 Bonito (The Beautiful game), but the three time 'FIFA World Player of the year' award winner's time had come to an end.  
“My body aches. In my head I want to continue, but this body can't take much more. In recent days I have cried like a baby”, Ronaldo revealed his intentions to Fantastico magazine. He would rather quit football then not play at his best. What a legend. What an absolute legend.
While the faithful fans of the beautiful game remained saddened on the eve of the player’s retirement, one must understand that everything good must come to an end. We all watched the player in jaw dropping amazement, as he left even the greatest of defenders in his Brazilian dust. In fact, a day will come when we all will proudly say: “I watched Ronaldo play”
Incredible, outstanding, phenomenal and simply the best: Ronaldo Luís Nazário de http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Lima-c22267. Take a bow, Sir.

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