1. Compostela 1-5 Barcelona, La Liga, October 12 1996
A goal that has been shown countless times, and one that at the time made the whole world sit up and take notice of this 20-year-old sensation. Ronaldo only spent one season with the Catalan giants, but managed an incredible 47 goals in 49 games. This was the pick of the bunch, as he ran from inside his own half while shrugging off the attention of three defenders, before calmly slotting the ball into the corner.
2. Internazionale 3-0 Lazio, UEFA Cup Final, May 6 1998
Ronaldo joined Inter from Barca for a then world record fee of £19 million, and picked up where he had left off at the Nou Camp. In his first season in Italy, he scored 34 times in 47 appearances, including the below strike against Lazio to help win the UEFA Cup. A lengthy spell of injuries meant that it would be his only honour in Italy, but his goal was typical of his greatness: expertly beating the offside trap, before calmly rounding the goalkeeper and passing the ball into an empty net.
3. Germany 0-2 Brazil, World Cup Final, June 30 2002
Four years after suffering a convulsive fit moments before the final against France, resulting in an anonymous performance, Ronaldo returned to exorcise his demons on the biggest stage of all. He was on fire in Japan and South Korea, scoring eight goals in seven games, including two in the final. Below is his second, and having already put Brazil in front after pouncing on an error by Oliver Kahn, Ronaldo made the game safe, showing superb composure to slot in from just inside the penalty area.
4. Manchester United 4-3 Real Madrid, Champions League Quarter-Final second leg, April 23 2003
Real were favourites to go through after winning the first leg 3-1, but knew that Old Trafford would be a tough place to go. Ronaldo, who had never really shone against English opposition, stole the show with a stunning hat-trick. First he took Fabien Barthez by surprise when he beat the French goalkeeper at his near post from outside the area, then tapped in a ball from Roberto Carlos to complete a wonderful passing move, before curling the goal of the night from 25 yards.
5. Brazil 3-0 Ghana, World Cup Second Round, June 27 2006
Countless team trophies, World Player of the Year three times, European Player of the Year twice. At this point, it seemed there was little else for Ronaldo to achieve. But despite critics doubting his ability and mocking his fitness, he continued to do what he did best: score goals. Against Ghana, he left the goalkeeper on the floor with a textbook stepover, before prodding the ball into the net for his 15th World Cup goal, more than anyone else in the history of the biggest competition in football.
Ronaldo has been rumoured to be coming out of retirement for Corinthians, so there could yet be more to come. What is certain, however, is that he is a true legend of the game, and when he leaves the field for Brazil for the final time against Romania, the Seleção will be saying goodbye to one of the greatest players of all time.
