Ronaldo Luìs Nazàrio de Lima, known simply as Ronaldo, was a legendary footballer for both club and country. The Brazilian National, popularly dubbed “El Fenomeno” (The Phenomenon), is widely considered one of the greatest strikers ever. The clinical finisher claimed the FIFA World Player of the Year award three times and the Ballon d’Or in 1997 and 2002. His runs with country (1994-2011) and storied clubs PSC, Barcelona, Inter Milan and Real Madrid earned him several tournament MVPs and Golden Boot awards, cementing his status among the all-time greats. He is Brazil's second all-time leading scorer (trailing only Pelé) with 62 goals in 98 caps for Seleção. In a career full of highlights, Ronaldo's finest hour came at the 2002 FIFA World Cup hosted by South Korea and Japan. In a memorable Final against European juggernaut Germany, the bulky 6-foot forward notched two brilliant goals in the second half to lead Brazil to a 2-0 victory and their record fifth world title. The clutch performance earned him FIFA World Cup Finals MVP.
Presented here is one of Ronaldo's match worn Brazil National Team jerseys from the 2002 FIFA World Cup that was supposed to have ended up in the hands of Brazil's 34th President, Fernando Henrique Cardoso, as a gift. The jersey never made it to the President's desk and remained in the possession of one of the National Team's staff members. The match-worn shirt has been team-signed and includes Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Kaka, Cafu, Lucio, Rivaldo, Ricardinho, Roberto Carlos, Rogerio Ceni, Kleberson, Vampeta, Belletti, Gilberto, Edmilson, Dida and many more. We count over 30 signatures (Beckett letter states 23), so several coaches and important team executives likely also added their autographs to this impressive piece of soccer history. A few inscriptions towards the bottom of the shirttail are directed at President Cardoso (known by his initials, FHC) with "Ao Presidente Da Republica FHC" and "Chefe-COR Pento - 2002". All signature come in strong black marker and are evenly spaced and un-smeared for impeccable presentation.
The yellow Nike jersey (size XL) with green piping is properly tagged and designed for easy breathing with mesh airholes on the lower and side sections. "RONALDO" appears across the upper back along with his iconic No. "9" front and back, all in green pressed-on letters and numbers. The CBF (Brazilian Football Confederation) embroidered patch is sewn onto the left chest with four stars in recognition of the four World Cups Brazil had previously won. On the right sleeve is the ever-important "2002 FIFA World Cup KOREA JAPAN" patch sewn-on in black. The shirt displays moderate wear with stretching, puckering and contact abrasions; it appears to have been laundered prior to being signed. Includes LOA from a longtime Brazil National Team coordinator. Full LOA (A52597) from Beckett for autos.