25 years since Ronaldo signed for FC Barcelona
Today we are celebrating the 25th anniversary of the day that Ronaldo Nazario signed for FC Barcelona. It was on 17 July 1996 that the Brazilian was presented as the club’s latest signing, and he did it from Miami, where he was preparing for the Atlanta 1996 Olympics with his Brazilian team-mates.
The vice-president at the time, Joan Gaspart, was there for the event, despite the Brazilian team’s attempts to thwart the plans. The 19-year-old was signing from PSV, to play in the only season with the late Bobby Robson on the bench.
Ronaldo would only be at the Camp Nou for one year too, although it was a spectacular season in which he scored 47 goals in 49 games, his 34 in the league enough to win him both the Pichichi as top scorer in Spain and the European Golden Shoe.
Barça would win the Copa del Rey, Spanish Super Cup and the European Cup Winners’ Cup that season, but by the end of it, Ronaldo was off to Inter Milan. He was also named FIFA World Player in 1996 and 1997, and won the Ballon d'Or in 1997 after his magnificent year in blaugrana.
Just one season, but one in which ‘The Phenomenon’ would have an ever-lasting impact.