Ronaldo is a classic case of a player who fell from grace, after he was once hailed as the "best forward in the world".
He made his international debut at the tender age of 18 against arch-rivals Argentina.
Ronaldo had the world at his feet - silky skills which left many a defender trailing in his wake.
He made the near impossible look easy, but then his world came crashing down.
At the final of the 1998 World Cup, there was a major doubt before the kick-off as to whether Ronaldo would take part in the final.
He eventually did, but played well below par as did the rest of the team - nobody knows the full truth as to what happened prior to the game.
Italian club Inter Milan, who paid £19m for his services during the 1997/1998 season, saw the forward embarass the best of Serie A.
He scored 25 goals and followed that up with 14 the following season, but an injury that campaign meant he only played 19 games.
Injuries have plagued him ever since but this World Cup has been his redemption.
Although not at full fitness he has lasted the campaign, showed the form that earned him plaudits in the past and is again being hailed as the "best forward in the world".