It might sound strange nowadays to see a player like Ronaldo Luis Nazario de Lima choose a club like PSV Eindhoven. But it was the time when young Brazilian players moved to Europe to conquer the world slowly: from small clubs in small leagues to the top of European football.
Ronaldo had a tremendous impact on European club’s recruiting strategies. He made the big European clubs, like Barcelona, Madrid, Internazionale, Manchester and others, more aware that there was a real potential in the Brazilian Championship.
Ronaldo went to PSV on Romario’s advices. Vasco’s legend had been PSV’s striker between 88 and 93. And like his predecessor, Ronaldo immediately made a good impression in the Dutch league. He stayed two full seasons in the Netherland winning the 1995 league championship and the 1996 Dutch Cup.
Despite a knee injury that kept him out most of the second season, Ronaldo scored 42 goals for PSV in 46 games. Big clubs, like Barcelona and Internazionale, couldn’t ignore such a statistic. And in 1996 Ronaldo signed with Barcelona.
Check back at Sambafoot tomorrow, when we continue our look at Ronaldo’s career with his time in Barcelona.
