Ronaldão (footballer) facts for kids
| Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Ronaldo Rodrigues de Jesus | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Date of birth | 19 June 1965 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | São Paulo, Brazil | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.87 m (6 ft 1+1⁄2 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Position(s) | Defender | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Youth career | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rio Preto | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Senior career* | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) | |||||||||||||||||||
| 1986–1993 | São Paulo | 85 | (4) | |||||||||||||||||||
| 1994–1995 | Shimizu S-Pulse | 46 | (3) | |||||||||||||||||||
| 1995–1996 | Flamengo | 44 | (1) | |||||||||||||||||||
| 1997 | Santos | 38 | (2) | |||||||||||||||||||
| 1998 | Coritiba | 0 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||
| 1998–2002 | Ponte Preta | 88 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 301 | (10) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| International career | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1991–1995 | Brazil | 14 | (1) | |||||||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Ronaldo Rodrigues de Jesus, born on June 19, 1965, in São Paulo, Brazil, is a famous former Brazilian football player. He was known as Ronaldo when he first started playing. Later, he became known as Ronaldão, which means "big Ronaldo." This was to tell him apart from another younger player, also named Ronaldo, who was called Ronaldinho ("little Ronaldo") before Ronaldinho Gaúcho became famous.
Ronaldão played as a defender. He was part of the Brazilian national team, often called the Seleção, from 1991 to 1995. During this time, he played 14 matches and scored one goal. He was a member of the team that won the 1994 FIFA World Cup. Even though he did not play in any matches during that tournament, he was called to join the team on the opening day. He traveled from Japan to the United States to replace an injured player named Ricardo Gomes. Ronaldão also helped his team finish second in the 1995 Copa América.
He had a very successful career playing for different clubs too. He won many important trophies both in Brazil and internationally. This included winning the Copa Libertadores and Intercontinental Cup two years in a row with São Paulo in 1992 and 1993.
Contents
Playing for Brazil: The National Team
Ronaldão was a strong defender for the Brazilian national football team. He played for his country between 1991 and 1995. Being chosen to play for Brazil is a huge honor for any footballer.
World Cup Victory in 1994
One of Ronaldão's biggest achievements was being part of the team that won the 1994 FIFA World Cup. This is the most important football tournament in the world. He joined the team at the last minute, flying all the way from Japan to the United States. Even though he did not play in any games, he was still a valuable member of the winning squad.
Copa América in 1995
After the World Cup, Ronaldão also played in the 1995 Copa América. This is a major tournament for national teams in South America. His team reached the final and finished in second place. This showed his continued importance to the national team.
Club Successes: Winning Trophies
Ronaldão played for several top clubs in Brazil and even in Japan. He helped his teams win many important championships.
São Paulo FC: A Golden Era
Ronaldão spent many years playing for São Paulo FC. This was a very successful time for both him and the club. He helped São Paulo win some of the biggest titles in club football.
- Copa Libertadores: He won this prestigious South American club competition twice, in 1992 and 1993. Winning it two years in a row is a rare and impressive feat.
- Intercontinental Cup: After winning the Copa Libertadores, São Paulo played against the best European club in the Intercontinental Cup. Ronaldão's team won this trophy in both 1992 and 1993.
- Brazilian League and State Championships: He also won the Brazilian League twice (1986, 1991) and the São Paulo State Championship four times (1987, 1989, 1991, 1992).
- Other Trophies: He also helped São Paulo win the Supercopa Libertadores and Recopa Sudamericana in 1993.
Flamengo and Santos: More Victories
After his time at São Paulo, Ronaldão played for other well-known Brazilian clubs.
- Flamengo: With Flamengo, he won the Rio de Janeiro State Championship in 1996. He also won the Taça Guanabara and Taça Rio that same year.
- Santos: He later played for Santos and won the Torneio Rio-São Paulo in 1997.
Honours and Achievements
Ronaldão's career was filled with many important wins and recognitions.
- Brazil
- FIFA World Cup: 1994
- Umbro Cup: 1995
- São Paulo
- Intercontinental Cup: 1992, 1993
- Copa Libertadores: 1992, 1993
- Campeonato Brasileiro: 1986, 1991
- Campeonato Paulista: 1987, 1989, 1991, 1992
- Supercopa Libertadores: 1993
- Recopa Sudamericana: 1993
- Flamengo
- Campeonato Carioca: 1996
- Taça Guanabara: 1996
- Taça Rio: 1996
- Copa de Oro: 1996
- Santos
- Torneio Rio-São Paulo: 1997
- Individual
- São Paulo FC Hall of Fame
See also
In Spanish: Ronaldo Rodrigues de Jesus para niños
