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The Phenomenon: Ronaldo

Ronaldo Nazário was one of the best footballers on the planet when his ambitions were crushed by injury and press scrutiny. This film chronicles his life.

In 1997 Ronaldo Nazário was, at only 21 years old, the best footballer on the planet and destined to become one of the sporting world’s immortals. Yet only a year later, his global ambitions were crushed. First he was blamed for Brazil’s World Cup final defeat to France, back-to-back injures threatened to end his career in its prime, and a series of club transfers saw him become a controversial figure on the professional football circuit. But two new knees and one World Cup later, Ronaldo was back on top.

The Phenomenon is a story of redemption, chronicling Ronaldo’s comeback from the brink of forced retirement. Discussing the agony of his knee replacements, the crush of media scrutiny and the pressure to represent his country, this film features exclusive interviews with Ronaldo’s family, teammates and doctors. And for the first time ever on screen, Ronaldo himself looks back at his own career and, alongside Roberto Carlos, reveals what really happened in room 290 of the Château de Grande Romaine hotel on the afternoon of the 1998 World Cup final.

Available now

1 hour, 30 minutes

Last on

Tue 15 Nov 2022 21:30
BBC Four

Music Played

Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes

  • 00:04

    Liquid Liquid

    Cavern

  • 00:40

    Incredible Bongo Band

    Apache

  • 01:00

    Beth Carvalho

    Coisinha Do Pai

Broadcast

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