When Ronaldo’s Mother Called Him 'Winning Ticket' After Playing Lottery Every Week To Win Jackpot

When Ronaldo’s Mother Called Him 'Winning Ticket' After Playing Lottery Every Week To Win Jackpot

Godwin Nii Armah Tagoe
updated at January 6, 2024 at 6:36 AM
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  • The game of football has proven to be an avenue for poverty alleviation for many families
  • Ronaldo's case was no different, as he used football to rescue his family from poverty
  • The legendary Brazilian's mom once called his son the "winning ticket" out of hardship

Football has been a transformative force, offering financial prosperity and a means of overcoming poverty for numerous families worldwide.

This rings especially true for the legendary Brazilian forward Ronaldo Luis Nazario de Lima.

Ronaldo Nazario's emergence as a teenage prodigy showcased undeniable talent, marked by incredible speed, exceptional dribbling, and a knack for scoring goals.

Ronaldo Nazario, Ronaldo mother, winning ticket, lottery, jackpot, poverty, riches, net worth
Ronaldo Nazario is regarded by many as the greatest footballer of all time. Photos by VANDERLEI ALMEIDA and Dusko Despotovic
Source: Getty Images

Ronaldo's rise to prominence

His remarkable success began at Cruzeiro, where he scored an astounding 44 goals in 47 games, catching the attention of top European clubs.

Ronaldo opted for PSV Eindhoven, advised by compatriot Romario, after the 1994 World Cup.

A 17-year-old at the time, O Fenomeno, did not feature at that tournament but used the experience to shine in the 1998 and 2002 editions, dominating global football.

While achieving triumphs with the Selecao, including securing Brazil's fifth World Cup in 2002, the prolific forward thrived in Europe. He excelled at Barcelona, then Inter Milan, before joining Real Madrid's star-studded Galacticos.

Ronaldo earned the FIFA World Player of the Year award three times and claimed the prestigious Ballon d'Or twice in 1997 and 2002. A football force to be reckoned with, injuries became his Achilles' heel.

Heartbreaking injuries Ronaldo endured

Persistent knee injuries, coupled with weight gain during inactivity, impacted his speed, fitness, and agility.

According to his physiotherapist, Nilton Petrone, Ronaldo faced injury risks due to a medical condition known as trochlear dysplasia.

Despite these setbacks, the former Brazilian's career both with the national team and club level, shone brightly, solidifying his status as one of the sport's greatest.

Ronaldo's net worth

His success also brought financial wealth, with an estimated net worth of $160 million, according to Celebrity Networth.

Ronaldo's mother, Sonia dos Santos Barata, once expressed that her third child was their ticket out of poverty, referring to Ronaldo's incredible journey from hardship to prosperity.

Ronaldo's mum calls him 'winning ticket'

“I played the lottery every week hoping to win the jackpot, but I had no idea that the winning ticket was breaking my vases in the living room with a ball,” she said as cited by Football Tweet.

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Mourinho calls R9 GOAT

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Jose Mourinho has named Ronaldo Nazario as the greatest footballer of all time, ahead of Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Argentina’s Lionel Messi.

Mourinho, who worked with Ronaldo during his days at Barcelona, reckoned that the Brazilian forward is the GOAT.

Authors
Godwin Nii Armah Tagoe photo
Godwin Nii Armah Tagoe
Godwin Nii Armah Tagoe is a Ligue 1, Bundesliga, and La Liga editor with five-year experience. He previously worked with Sports Corna and 360SportsGH.
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