Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima, commonly known as Ronaldo or “O Fenômeno” (The Phenomenon), is widely regarded as one of the greatest strikers in football history.
His incredible career on the pitch has translated into significant financial success off it.
In this article, you will know Ronaldo Nazário’s net worth, salary, career earnings, contract, stats, wife, career overview, and more.
Ronaldo Nazário’s Biography
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima |
| Date of Birth | September 18, 1976 |
| Place of Birth | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |
| Height | 1.83 meters |
| Nationality | Brazilian |
| Position | Centre-Forward |
| Nickname | O Fenômeno (The Phenomenon) |
| Retirement Date | February 13, 2011 |
Early Career
Ronaldo’s journey began in the streets of Bento Ribeiro, a suburb of Rio de Janeiro, where he honed his skills playing futsal.
At age 12, he joined the youth team of Social Ramos, where he showcased his extraordinary abilities by scoring a record 166 goals in his first season.
Spotted by former Brazilian player Jairzinho, Ronaldo was recruited to São Cristóvão’s youth team, quickly progressing through the ranks.
Professional Career
His professional career started at Cruzeiro in 1993, where he scored an impressive 44 goals in 44 games, leading to his first Brazil Cup championship.
In 1994, at just 17 years old, Ronaldo moved to PSV Eindhoven, where he continued to showcase his exceptional talent, scoring 54 goals in 58 games over two seasons.
His performances led to a world-record transfer to Barcelona in 1996, where he truly emerged as a global superstar.
In 2002, following a triumphant World Cup performance, Ronaldo joined Real Madrid, forming part of the “Galácticos” era.
Wife
His first marriage was to Brazilian footballer Milene Domingues in 1999, with whom he had his first child, a son named Ronald, born in 2000.
However, this marriage ended in divorce. Ronaldo then married Maria Beatriz Antony, and they had 2 daughters together: Maria Sofia, born in 2008, and Maria Alice, born in 2010.
This marriage also ended in separation. Most recently, in 2023, Ronaldo married for the third time to Celina Locks, a 33-year-old Brazilian model.
Celina Locks is currently pregnant with Ronaldo’s fourth child, adding another chapter to the football legend’s family life.
Ronaldo Nazário’s Net Worth Details
Ronaldo Nazário’s net worth is estimated to be $160 million as of 2025.
Contract
During his stint at Barcelona, Ronaldo had a contract that expired in 1997, leading to his transfer to Inter Milan for a then-world record fee of £18 million.
His move to Real Madrid in 2002 involved another world record transfer fee of €39 million, where he became part of the “Galácticos” era.
In 2007, Ronaldo transferred to AC Milan for €7.5 million, but his time there was cut short by a severe knee injury, leading to the non-renewal of his contract.
Career Earnings
| Period | Club/Source | Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| 1993-1994 | Cruzeiro | – |
| 1994-1996 | PSV Eindhoven | – |
| 1996-1997 | Barcelona | World record transfer fee at the time |
| 1997-2002 | Inter Milan | – |
| 2002-2007 | Real Madrid | €39 million transfer fee |
| 2007-2008 | AC Milan | €7.5 million transfer fee |
| 2009-2011 | Corinthians | – |
| 1996-ongoing | Nike endorsement | Lifetime deal worth over $180 million |
| Post-retirement | Real Madrid ambassador | €1 million annually (without formal contract) |
| Various | Other endorsements (Snickers, Pirelli, etc.) | – |
| 2018-ongoing | Real Valladolid ownership | – |
| 2021-ongoing | Cruzeiro ownership | – |
Endorsements
Here are some key details about his endorsements:
- Nike: Ronaldo’s most significant and long-standing endorsement has been with Nike. In 1996, Nike signed him to a 10-year contract, which was later extended to a lifetime endorsement deal worth over $180 million.
- Santander: In 2023, Banco Santander announced signing Ronaldo as a global ambassador for their UEFA Champions League sponsorship.
- 9ine Sports and Entertainment: Ronaldo owns a 45% stake in this sports and entertainment agency, which deals with endorsements and partnerships outside mainstream soccer.
- Betfair International: In 2022, Ronaldo signed on as a brand ambassador for Betfair International, joining his former teammate Rivaldo.
- Other brands: Throughout his career, Ronaldo has endorsed various other brands, including:
- Snickers
- Pirelli
- Clash of Clans
- Itaú
Career Records
| Record/Achievement | Details |
|---|---|
| Total goals in club career | 280 goals in 384 matches |
| Total goals in international career | 62 goals in 98 matches |
| FIFA World Cup wins | 2 (1994, 2002) |
| Copa America wins | 2 (1997, 1999) |
| FIFA World Player of the Year awards | 3 (1996, 1997, 2002) |
| Ballon d’Or awards | 2 (1997, 2002) |
| Total club appearances | 384 |
| Total international appearances | 98 |
| Top scorer in FIFA World Cup | 8 goals in 2002 |
| Top scorer in Copa America | 11 goals in 1997 |
FAQs
1. Who is Ronaldo Nazário?
Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima, commonly known as Ronaldo or “The Phenomenon,” is a retired Brazilian footballer born on September 18, 1976. He is considered one of the greatest strikers in football history, known for his speed, skill, and clinical finishing. He won two Ballon d’Or awards and three FIFA World Player of the Year titles during his career.
2. What are Ronaldo’s major achievements in international football?
Ronaldo won two FIFA World Cups with Brazil in 1994 and 2002. He was the top scorer in the 2002 tournament with eight goals, earning the Golden Boot. He also won two Copa América titles (1997 and 1999) and the FIFA Confederations Cup in 1997.
3. Which clubs did Ronaldo play for during his career?
Ronaldo played for several top clubs, including Cruzeiro, PSV Eindhoven, FC Barcelona, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, AC Milan, and Corinthians. His career highlights include winning league titles with Real Madrid and Barcelona and a UEFA Cup with Inter Milan.
4. Why is Ronaldo nicknamed “The Phenomenon”?
Ronaldo earned the nickname “The Phenomenon” due to his extraordinary talent and ability to dominate games with unmatched speed, skill, and goal-scoring prowess. His performances revolutionized the striker position and inspired a generation of players.
5. What injuries impacted Ronaldo’s career?
Ronaldo suffered multiple serious knee injuries that sidelined him for extended periods. Despite these setbacks, he made remarkable comebacks, notably leading Brazil to victory in the 2002 World Cup after recovering from a major injury.
6. What is Ronaldo’s legacy in football?
Ronaldo is remembered as one of the most complete strikers in history. His combination of speed, technique, and finishing influenced many modern forwards. He remains an icon of Brazilian football and is celebrated worldwide for his contributions to the sport.
7. What did Ronaldo do after retiring from football?
After retiring in 2011, Ronaldo became a businessman and philanthropist. He owns shares in clubs like Real Valladolid (Spain) and Cruzeiro (Brazil). He also participates in charitable initiatives focused on education and development.
8. How many goals did Ronaldo score during his career?
Ronaldo scored over 400 goals for club and country during his career. For Brazil’s national team, he netted 62 goals in 98 appearances, making him one of their all-time top scorers.
9. What awards did Ronaldo win during his career?
Ronaldo won numerous individual accolades, including two Ballon d’Or awards (1997 and 2002) and three FIFA World Player of the Year titles (1996, 1997, 2002). He also won Golden Boot awards at major tournaments like the World Cup.
10. What is Ronaldo’s impact on modern football?
Ronaldo’s style of play redefined the striker role, blending pace, power, and technical skill. Players like Lionel Messi, Zlatan Ibrahimović, and Mohamed Salah have cited him as an inspiration. His influence extends beyond football to philanthropy and business ventures post-retirement.
