📍Bento Ribeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
1976 – 1993“Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima was born in Rio de Janeiro in September 1976 and grew up in Bento Ribeiro, a working-class suburb in the city's North Zone, far from the beaches, with small houses, busy streets and the railway line. His father, Nélio, worked as a telephone company employee and street vendor, and his mother, Sônia, worked long shifts in pizzerias and supermarkets to support Ronaldo and his older brother and sister. His parents separated when he was eleven. He was a skinny boy with big teeth who was mad about football, playing in the streets of Bento Ribeiro all day, often when he should have been at school; his mother said she had lost that battle. He loved futsal, the fast indoor game, and at about twelve he joined the Social Ramos futsal team, scoring a record number of goals in his first season and learning the close control and quick feet that made him famous. At thirteen he passed a trial at Flamengo, his favourite club, but the training ground was across the city and his family could not afford the bus fares to get there. Instead he joined São Cristóvão, a small club near his home, where the former World Cup winner Jairzinho, who was coaching there, recognised his talent. At sixteen he joined Cruzeiro, and at seventeen he was in Brazil's 1994 World Cup squad. Known as O Fenômeno, he won two World Cups, scoring twice in the 2002 final, and three FIFA World Player of the Year awards. Bento Ribeiro remains proud of the boy who could not afford the bus to Flamengo.”
🗺️ Approximate location today
📍 Street view today