Known as “Il Fenomeno,” Ronaldo Luiz Nazário de Lima faced significant challenges with injuries throughout his career. Despite these setbacks, Ronaldo’s “Phenomenon” (in English) is still widely regarded as the best number 9 ever.
Even in the face of these obstacles, Ronaldo Nazário’s enduring impact on football history is undeniable. His resilience in overcoming serious knee injuries showcases his indomitable spirit, and despite the setbacks, he continues to be celebrated as one of the greatest footballers of all time.
In this article, we’ll discuss Ronaldo Phenomenon‘s athletic career, explaining in a clear and accessible manner the series of knee injuries that unfortunately plagued his career.
Ronaldo Phenomenon’s Knee First Battles & Glory
PSV (1994-1996) – Teenage Triumph
Troubles with Ronaldo Nazário’s knees began during his teenage years at PSV Eindhoven. Shortly after the 1994 World Cup in the USA, Ronaldo signed with PSV for €5.5 million, making him a very expensive teenager.
On August 28, 1994, just before turning eighteen, Ronaldo’s “Phenomenon” debuted in the Eredivisie against Vitesse Arnhem. Playing alongside Luc Nilis, he scored his first goal after ten minutes. Ronaldo’s remarkable performance saw him score 35 goals in 36 matches for PSV in the 1994/1995 season, showcasing his talent and fulfilling his coach Dick Advocaat’s expectations.
Ronaldo continued to shine during the 1995/1996 season, scoring 19 goals in 21 games. However, his season was cut short by his first knee injury. Ronaldo “Il Fenomeno” had been grappling with increasing discomfort in his knee since autumn, and by Christmas, it was apparent that the problem wouldn’t go away on its own.
Upon returning to the Netherlands after Christmas, Ronaldo faced an unexpected setback. Following additional tests, doctors diagnosed him with Osgood-Schlatter disease, a relatively unknown condition at the time.
Osgood-Schlatter disease is characterized by swelling below the knee and over the shin bone (tibia) and commonly affects teenagers experiencing growth spurt (see image below). It’s often caused by the powerful quadriceps muscles pulling on the attachment point of the patellar tendon during activities like running, making it prevalent among footballers, athletes, and basketball players. Contrary to its name, Osgood-Schlatter disease arises from overuse injury due to excessive physical activity rather than being an actual disease.
Ronaldo Nazário‘s early success and talent contributed to his injury, as his dynamic running style made him susceptible to the condition while his body was still developing. Since joining PSV, Ronaldo’s “Phenomenon” has experienced significant growth and muscle gain, thanks to the club’s improved diet and training program.
Treating this condition presents limited options. Typically, medical advice involves reducing physical activity to allow for pain relief, a slow process unsuitable for Ronaldo, a key player for PSV. Urgency led them to opt for knee surgery despite its associated risks and uncertain impact on his career.
The surgery on Ronaldo Nazário’s right knee was victorious, followed by physiotherapy. Ronaldo chose to recover under Brazilian physio Nilton Petrone, known as ‘Filé.’ With an intensive eight-hour daily regimen, including over 2,000 leg exercises and 640 trampoline jumps, Filé aimed to strengthen Ronaldo’s knees and hasten his recovery.
“Football is my life,” Ronaldo “Il Fenomeno” said during his first year in the Netherlands. “If I am not able to play, I am broken.” Despite ongoing knee problems, Ronaldo returned to play and secured his only title with PSV – the KNVB Cup. Unfortunately, knee injuries continued to haunt him throughout his career.
During his short time at PSV, Ronaldo Nazário overcame injuries to score 54 goals in 58 games. Despite the interest of several top clubs, Barcelona won the dispute by paying €15 million for his transfer.
Ronaldo “Phenomenon” – Barcelona’s Bright Star
Ronaldo “Il Fenomeno” made an exceptional debut in his lone season at Barcelona. Speaking to The New York Times later that season, Sir Bobby Robson, his coach, remarked, “I can’t remember seeing a 20-year-old player with such immense talent.”
With R9 at the forefront, this Barcelona team emerged as one of Europe’s best teams. They secured the Copa del Rey, the Supercopa de España, and the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup during that season, with Ronaldo’s incredible performances playing a pivotal role in their successes.
At the end of 1996, at age 20, Ronaldo Nazário became the youngest player to win the World Player of the Year award and was already being hailed as the next football “great,” positioned as the successor to legends like Pelé, Diego Maradona, Johan Cruyff, and Marco van Basten.
Scoring an astonishing 47 goals in 49 appearances, these numbers showcased a player whose every touch, dribble, and shot was pure magic.
Ronaldo Nazário at Inter 1997/1998: Dream Before Nightmare
Inter Milan secured Ronaldo Nazário in 1997 for a record fee of €26.5 million, making him the second player, after Diego Maradona, to break the world transfer record twice.
R9 made an immediate impact at the Italian club with his incredible goal-scoring ability, quickly winning over the devoted Nerazzurri fans. A debut against Brescia showcased his adaptability to the Italian game style, leading to 25 goals in his first season.
Recognized as Serie A Footballer of the Year, Ronaldo “Fenómeno” also claimed FIFA World Player of the Year and the Ballon d’Or midway through his remarkable debut season.
Yet, as the 1998 World Cup approached, a weight of expectation settled upon him.
Ronaldo Nazário First World Cup (1998)
Rarely has a national team entered a World Cup finals as firm favorites as Brazil did in France ’98. Ronaldo Nazário was undoubtedly the world’s best footballer at the time. With two consecutive FIFA World Player of the Year awards, he impressed coaches worldwide and revived the game’s vibrancy reminiscent of Brazil’s 1970 side.
In the 1998 World Cup’s second game, Brazil defeated Morocco 3-0, with Ronaldo “Phenomenon” scoring his first World Cup goal, a relief for him. After that match, following tough tackles, Ronaldo complained of pain in his right thigh and knee. Rumors spread that R9 received regular injections for his knee pain during the tournament.
Ronaldo scored four goals and provided three assists in the lead-up to the final, in which Brazil was defeated by the host country, France.
Battling Knee Injuries: R9’s Torment Between 1999-2002
By mid-1998-1999, Ronaldo Nazário’s knee problems became undeniable. From Osgood-Schlatter’s issues at PSV to a demanding season at Barcelona and the strains of his debut Serie A season, the signs were clear. The intense painkiller-assisted six weeks during France ’98, combined with his rapid playing style, they led to a breaking point.
In February 1999, Ronaldo’s “Phenomenon” met renowned knee specialist Prof. Gerard Saillant in Paris. Known for his work with athletes like Michael Schumacher, Prof. Saillant monitored both knees and advised against surgery due to Ronaldo’s unpredictable pain patterns. Inter Milan‘s medical team opted for rest, limiting R9 appearances.
On November 21, 1999, Ronaldo Nazário suffered a significant knee injury during a match against Lecce. Despite Inter’s 6–0 victory and Ronaldo scoring from a penalty, trouble arose when he twisted his knee chasing a through ball, tearing the kneecap tendon.
Ronaldo left the field limping, mentioning discomfort in his ankle, and was promptly replaced. Initially thought to be a minor issue, it was later diagnosed as a partial tear of the patellar tendon (also known as kneecap tendon), leading to the decision for surgical treatment.
Patellar tendon tears involve the partial or complete rupture of the band of connective tissue that attaches the bottom of the kneecap (patella) to the top of the shinbone (tibia), as illustrated in the image below.
The patellar tendon works explicitly with the muscles in the front of your thigh (quadriceps) to straighten your leg but it is stressed by repetitive knee movements, leading to tendinosis. When the tear occurs, it happens at the weakest spot.
This knee injury, commonly known as “jumper’s knee,” frequently occurs in sports involving jumping and varied landings, such as basketball, volleyball, gymnastics, and soccer.
In the speedy post-surgery rehabilitation program, Inter’s medical staff and R9‘s long-time physiotherapist, Nilton Petrone, played crucial roles. Despite that significant knee injury, Ronaldo Nazário returned to the pitch in just five months. Inter clarified that his return was authorized by the surgeon responsible for his operation – French knee specialist Gerard Saillant.
Ronaldo “Il Fenomeno” made his highly anticipated return to the football pitch on April 12, 2000, during the first leg of the Coppa Italia final against Lazio. However, his comeback turned sour: within seven minutes, in a skillful move against Fernando Couto, Ronaldo Nazário completely ruptured the kneecap tendon of his right knee.
The moment of the injury, broadcasted live on television (see the video below), stands out as one of football’s most dramatic, showcasing Ronaldo Nazário‘s intense agony. Lazio kicked the ball out of play as it quickly became apparent that R9 had suffered a horrific knee injury.
In the footage, it is also possible to see that the kneecap of the right knee is in the thigh (significantly higher than usual), already anticipating the severity of the injury.
In a beautiful example of fair play and solidarity in football, the entire Stadio Olimpico rose to applaud Ronaldo Nazário as he was stretchered off the field with his head in his hands.
In 2018, Ronaldo’s former physiotherapist, Nilton Petrone, described the injury to FourFourTwo as ‘the worst football injury’ he had ever witnessed.
“His knee-cap actually exploded and it ended up in the middle of his thigh. Right after the surgery his knee was the size of a football ball. There were three or four tubes draining the blood, it was something unbelievable. We had a few moments at the hospital when he was crying because he wanted morphine to stop the intensity of pain.”
Nilton Petrone
For nearly two years, Ronaldo Nazário endured intense rehabilitation, working up to 10 hours a day without pause. Ronaldo’s recovery spanned the rest of the season and the entire 2000/2001 campaign, keeping him out of play until September 2001.
Ronaldo has reflected on the challenging recovery, acknowledging how knee injuries transformed him personally and professionally. During an Instagram Live session in 2018, Ronaldo “Il Fenomeno” expressed that despite shortening his elite-level career, injuries led to personal growth, making him more responsible and disciplined.
Contrary to the pundits’ views, Ronaldo’s Nazário made a stunning recovery from the devastating knee injury netting seven goals in 10 games, until the end of the 2001-2002 season.
Before Ronaldo’s knee injury in November 1999, he scored 42 goals in 58 Serie A games in the most demanding league to score in with the most advanced defensive strategies and the world’s best defenders. After five years he had played 99 games and scored 59 goals for Nerazzurri.
Ronaldo Nazário‘s performances at the club – especially the first two seasons before injury – saw him named among the four inaugural inductees into the Inter Milan Hall of Fame in 2018.
Ronaldo “Phenomenon” 2002 World Cup: A Rising Phoenix
Ronaldo Nazário secured his spot in Brazil’s 2002 World Cup squad despite doubts about his abilities post-injury. While his speed and strength had diminished, his lethal finishing remained.
His redemption in Yokohama, lifting Brazil’s fifth title, capped a fairy-tale comeback. Achieving eight goals in the tournament, Ronaldo “Il Fenomeno“ won the 2002 World Cup Golden Boot.
Later, in 2002, R9 claimed his third FIFA World Player of the Year award.
Ronaldo “Il Fenomeno”: Madrid’s Rise & Fall (2002-2007)
Ronaldo Nazário moved to Madrid in 2002 after his impressive comeback at the World Cup that summer. Joining Real Madrid for €46 million, his jersey sales skyrocketed, breaking records on the first day.
Ronaldo arrived in Madrid at the peak of the Galacticos Era, following Luis Figo and Zinedine Zidane and the year before David Beckham.
Ronaldo“Il Fenomeno” was outstanding, scoring 61 goals in his first two seasons back in Spain. The 2002/2003 season was his most successful at Real Madrid: he netted 30 goals in 44 games, winning La Liga, the Intercontinental Cup, and the Supercopa de España. He also performed remarkably in the 4-3 victory over Manchester United on April 23, 2003.
Ronaldo Nazário‘s influence began to diminish in 2005/06 as injuries took their toll and his weight increased. Ronaldo’s knee injuries deprived him of his earlier explosiveness. However, Zinedine Zidane acclaimed him as the most outstanding player he ever faced, praising R9’s exceptional skill and ball control.
The decline of the Galacticos Era prompted Real Madrid to rehire strict disciplinarian Fabio Capello in 2006, leading to Ronaldo’s departure in the January 2007 transfer window.
Ronaldo Nazário’s Knee Injury Strikes Again
AC Milan (2006-2008)
Joining AC Milan for the 2006/2007 season, Ronaldo Nazário teamed up with fellow Brazilians Alexandre Pato and Kaká. Wearing the number 99 jersey, he debuted as a substitute on 11 February 2007 in a 2–1 win against Livorno. R9 netted seven goals in 14 appearances during his inaugural season.
Ronaldo, “The Phenomenon,” faced a setback in the 2007/08 season due to a fractured tibia in the summer, sidelining him for the entire preseason. He returned in late November during a victory over Cagliari but missed out on additional trophies as AC Milan won the Super Cup against Sevilla.
On February 13, 2008, Ronaldo Nazário sustained a severe knee injury during a match against Livorno while jumping for a cross. He was stretchered off the field and taken to the hospital, where it was confirmed that he had ruptured the kneecap ligament in his left knee.
This was the third time Ronaldo Nazário experienced such a knee injury, having suffered it twice before in his right knee in 1999 and 2000.
At 31 and already of questionable fitness, R9 would not return to the squad and left Milan once his contract ran out at the end of the season.
After only 20 games and nine goals for Milan, and having missed three opportunities to win more trophies (including the Champion League), Ronaldo “Il Fenomeno”‘ departure from European football was a painful end for the renowned player.
The Return to Brazil – Corinthians FC (2008-2011)
Ronaldo Nazário pursued another major comeback with one last goal: winning the Copa Libertadores in Brazil. After a rigorous rehabilitation hosted by his hometown club, Flamengo, R9 made a characteristic comeback earlier than expected and signed with Corinthians in December 2008.
In the next season, Ronaldo’s “Phenomenon” scored twelve goals in twenty games in the Brazilian Série A, securing a third-place finish and a contract extension in February 2010.
Ronaldo Nazário Farewell and Legacy
On February 14, 2011, after Corinthians were eliminated from the 2011 Copa Libertadores, Ronaldo Nazário announced his retirement from football, concluding an 18-year career.
At 34, Ronaldo’s knees succumbed to years of wear, yet his tearful announcement at a press conference marked a poignant moment. Despite his weight struggles and visible emotions, R9 staged three remarkable comebacks, cementing his status as one of the greatest strikers ever.
Ronaldo Nazário admitted his body had finally succumbed to the crippling litany of injuries that had blighted his career:
“It’s very hard to leave something that made me so happy. Mentally I wanted to continue but I have to acknowledge that I lost to my body. The head wants to go on but the body can’t take any more. I think of an action but I can’t do it the way I want to. It’s time to go.“
Ronaldo Nazário
Despite uncertainties about the future, Ronaldo Nazário’s career shouldn’t be overshadowed by speculation. Though knee injuries sidelined him for significant periods, his stellar 1996/1997 season remains a defining moment in football history, unmatched until Lionel Messi’s remarkable 2010/2011 campaign.
Moreover, no footballer has staged such an incredible comeback, marking it as one of the most outstanding achievements in sporting history, a feat unparalleled until recent times. From this and given his circumstances, after battling a severe case of Osgood-Schlatter’s condition for much of his life, dealing with three devastating knee injuries, the fact that Ronaldo produced such glorious moments, goals, and performances truly merits the title of “Il Fenomeno.”
People who love soccer will always have their favorite players. No matter who people’s favorite is, they will always remember Ronaldo.
His several knee injuries and insistence on making a comeback inspired many. It certainly served as a role model and made people want to learn from his spirit when they suffered setbacks. Soccer fans always want to carry the legend of their favorite player. So if you are also impressed by Ronaldo’s spirit of overcoming obstacles, then try holding a Custom Keyrings with his image or jersey number to commemorate it.
Post-football, Ronaldo Nazário has settled into a pleasant life, investing in football clubs like Cruzeiro FC and Real Valladolid, and establishing numerous R9 football schools worldwide.
Despite some younger folk referring to him as the ‘fat Ronaldo’, his dazzling talent remains unmatched, symbolizing an era of football greatness alongside Zidane, Rivaldo, and Ronaldinho. Though their physical powers fade, Ronaldo’s brilliance stands out above all.
As the first global football superstar of the modern age, Ronaldo Nazário‘s impact transcends generations, adored by all. Social media provides access to his brilliance, a testament to his enduring legacy. For the joy he brought, Obrigado Ronaldo!
