The Real Ronaldo

[Craig_H]

I'm not 100% sure but I think so, that's why Bobby convinced Barca to splash out on him. I could be wrong but seem to remember Bobby himself talking about it an interviewat some point. Wikki/google I'm sure can confirm either way.


He seemed to get injured right after a world cup and take 4 years to get fit again.

Having wiki'd the injury stuff, i can clarify the PSV scenario:

Sir Bobby Robson managed PSV from 1990-1992 and then from 1998-1999.
Ronaldo joined PSV in 1994 and then left in 1996.

So Robson only coached him at Barcelona.

[Fernandinho]

Cheers for that guys, I have run out of question eventually... But anybody with their own view of him please keep posting

[Fernandinho]

I just realised that he has only played about 200 professional club games in his whole career which has so far spanned 17 years. I can only imagine how many more accolades he could have won had he been fit for more of his career

[peekay]

The season he played for Barcelona is almost beyond superlatives. The move to Inter and the subsequent injuries ruined him.

If he stayed at Barcelona and maintained that form ( which I am sure he would have if injuries had not occurred) he would have been in the Pele/ Maradona sphere.

At his best, he was frightening. When injuries and partying took his toll on his body, he went down a notch and became just a world class striker. Watch out for his performance against the Mancs where he scored a hat trick with a pot belly. Unreal!!!!!

[tsb]

Il Fenomeno

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCayNnIEH88"]YouTube- Ronaldo : Manchester vs. Real Madrid 23.04.2003 (Hattrick) 4:3[/ame]

[Fernandinho]

His finishing was absolutely sublime so it seems. The amount of times he seemed to have found space at the near post when there seemed none is amazing. And his accuracy seemed impeccable.

[PTP]

sheer class - strong, quick, skilful, two footed, wonderful technique in striking the ball early with minimal backlift which is why he scored so many - he had it all

An early rise to super-stardom, along with bad injuries etc really took their toll but he was a joy to watch, and wasn't a poncing little cunt like the rooney's and cristiano ronaldos etc.

He is up their with the greatest imo - certainly in my life time, you have a few standout players from the rest Zidane, Ronaldo - miles and miles and miles ahead of anyone else in the last 20 years.

[Leyton388]

He was good but he was no GOD! There is only one of them and he played for us!

[Craig_H]

sheer class - strong, quick, skilful, two footed, wonderful technique in striking the ball early with minimal backlift which is why he scored so many - he had it all

An early rise to super-stardom, along with bad injuries etc really took their toll but he was a joy to watch, and wasn't a poncing little cunt like the rooney's and cristiano ronaldos etc.

He is up their with the greatest imo - certainly in my life time, you have a few standout players from the rest Zidane, Ronaldo - miles and miles and miles ahead of anyone else in the last 20 years.

He wasnt just the best striker in the world when he was at his peak, he was the best player.

And what a side Madrid had in that era - Ronaldo, Zidane, Roberto Carlos, Figo etc. Proper dream team stuff.

[Guest]

He was OK.

[Guest]

Was he a merchant?

[G]

He was an absolute genius to watch when on form.Like Craig says he was like Torres in his pomp only more lethal and much stronger on the ball.He would just power past defenders and was well able to handle himself against the big tough ones.

The Champions league game against United at old Trafford for Real in 02-03 was top class.He was immense and scored a hattrick.They still lost 4-3 but knocked united out thanks to his goals and the final was at old trafford that season which made it even better

[rudedog]

He was an absolute genius to watch when on form.Like Craig says he was like Torres in his pomp only more lethal and much stronger on the ball.He would just power past defenders and was well able to handle himself against the big tough ones.

The Champions league game against United at old Trafford for Real in 02-03 was top class.He was immense and scored a hattrick.They still lost 4-3 but knocked united out thanks to his goals and the final was at old trafford that season which made it even better

He had more to his game than Torres in that he had quicker feet and often left defenders for dead with his amazing footwork and dribbling.

[Icon]

He was no Heskey...

[Neil Young]

Too bald.