Before Cristiano Ronaldo, there was Ronaldo, who was once the best player in the world. At the time, there were even suggestions that he matched the talent of Brazil legend Pele.
But there was reason why he never truly hit the heights many expected of him. Indeed, the striker enjoyed a brilliant career, but if his fitness was there, too, you just get the feeling that sky's the limit.
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A serious injury in the 1999-200 season meant that Ronaldo's career subsided. He recovered from the injury but not too long after a complete rupture in the tendon of his knee meant he would be out for another 15 months. From now on, Ronaldo had to play in constant pain.
Before the injuries took hold, Ronaldo had this incredible record: he scored 115 goals in 134 games. If only had remained fit throughout his entire career - things would've played out a lot differently. Perhaps he would be up there with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
Messi had even said this of the Brazilian star before:
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"My favourite Brazilian footballer of all time is Ronaldo. I was fortunate enough to play against him many times, and I was lucky enough to play against him before he got those serious injuries that affected his career.
"He was a formidable player, a sensational player. He was sort of like an alien because of what he could do on the pitch. The fact that a footballer like him is not remembered as the best player of all time is a great tragedy in my opinion. He had all the skills he needed to be the best ever"
Great players like Ronaldo - and Cristiano Ronaldo - don't roll around that often. But maybe in a few years Ronaldo Junior will live up the hype.
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