About Ronaldo Nazario: Favorite Goals, 256 Nutmegs And His Ridiculous Haircut

Ronaldo Nazario (Instagram @ronaldo)

JAKARTA - Not many players in the history of football have the same skill as Ronaldo Nazario. The Brazilian is one of the greatest players of his generation and some view him as the best No.9 even today.

Between himself, Cristiano Ronaldo and even Ronaldinho, Ronaldo Nazario has a lot of competition to be considered the best player who has the name Ronaldo. However, the story of why he was given that name is an interesting one.

The name Ronaldo is taken from the name of the doctor who helped his mother give birth, because the doctor did it for free.

"Doctors did it for free because my parents couldn't afford it," Ronaldo said in an extensive interview with Sports Illustrated.

"Finally, Daddy brought him the three kilos of shrimp he collected on the beach and then my parents gave me the doctor's name."

Michael Jordan's compliments

Ronaldo has received a lot of praise from fans over the years. But what made him happiest was the compliment from NBA superstar Michael Jordan.

The two Nike athletes met at Nike's headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon.

"He said to me 'You are the Michael Jordan of football'," recalled Ronaldo.

"I thought 'wow, that's a big compliment'."

2002 World Cup

Going back to 2002, Ronaldo played a big role in leading Brazil to World Cup success. The No.9 scored twice against Oliver Kahn in the final - making him only one of two players to beat the German in the tournament, alongside Irishman Robbie Keane.

"I love all my goals, they are like my baby," he said, trying to pick a favorite.

"I always chose my two goals with Brazil against Germany in the 2002 World Cup final. The goals were not the most beautiful, but they were very important."

"Two years before, nobody believed I could play football again. I was the top scorer, and we won the World Cup. The two goals represented my great struggle over two years.

"I love watching the highlights of my matches again.

"Some people make videos of me doing 256 nutmegs. I don't even remember that I did so much!"

Ronaldo also discussed his haircut at that time. "Awful," he admitted.

"I apologize to all mothers who see their children make the same haircut as me."

His presidency at Real Valladolid

As club president Real Valladolid, Ronaldo does everything he can. However, he tried to keep his distance from the side of the game.

"I'm involved in everything," he said. "I want to be close to the players and see what they need, but I try not to get too close. I try to stay where I am."

"I don't want to be a president who says 'I want this and that, otherwise I'll kick you out!'"

Ronaldo has also been open about wanting to, one day, sell Real Valladolid for a profit. But for now he's committed to the club for at least the last few years. He wants this club to compete for European qualifiers before he leaves.

"I'm not going to stay here forever, because I have other things for the future on my mind," he said. "But it's too early to talk about that (to leave).

"I want to make this club much better and bigger than when I got it. After that, let's see. For now, continue to work and keep the club in La Liga."