This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/11/2022
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 the greatest pure #9 striker in history. 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 PSV, 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 in the 2002 FIFA World Cup Final against Germany when 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.
Presented here is Ronaldo's 2004-05 Brazil National Team jersey worn during the qualifying stages of the 2006 FIFA World Cup. With 10 goals in 15 qualifying matches, Ronaldo led not only Brazil but all South Americans in scoring during qualifying. He can be seen wearing this rather uncommon National Team shirt style in a Brazil qualifier against Ecuador in November 2004 (Getty 517574670). The blue Nike jersey with white piping around the crew neck is designed for easy breathing with mesh airholes down the sides. His white No. "9" is pressed onto the chest and back in applique. A unique white outline on the front and back gives it a shirt-within-a-shirt appearance. The blank white arched nameplate on the upper back is also a bit peculiar. The CBF (Brazilian Football Confederation) team crest in traditional Brazilian colors is pressed onto the upper chest with five stars in recognition of the five World Cups Brazil had previously won. A white "FIFA WORLD CUP GERMANY 2006" patch is affixed to the right sleeve. Inside the collar is Nike’s brand 90 size tagging (“L G G”). The shirt exhibits moderate wear, most evident on the ’06 WC patch.
Includes LOA from jersey authenticator MEARS and letter of provenance from the Brazil National Team’s Technical Coordinator, who is also the nephew of former CBF President Ricardo Teixeira.