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Ronaldo: The Journey of a Genius
The first in-depth biography of the colourful Brazilian soccer star — one of the most famous and iconic sportsmen of the last decade.
Author James Mosley has been given exclusive access to the footballer’s close management and advisers who have shared with him their experiences with the player over the last ten years. They reveal the inside story of how Ronaldo made his way back to the top of the football world following a horrific knee injury in 1998 which threatened to prematurely end his playing career.
After making a remarkable recovery, Ronaldo has since returned to his prolific goal-scoring ways for his team, Real Madrid, making him Spain’s leading scorer in 2003. Ronaldo continues to be a genuine icon of world football, matched only by David Beckham for fame, recognition and marketability. He has been named FIFA World Player of the Year three times, European Player of the Year twice, and is close to breaking the record for scoring the most international goals.
The Journey of a Genius reveals how the player rose from humble beginnings in Rio de Janeiro to become a football phenomenon. His wealth has been massively boosted by countless advertising and sponsorship deals, which have in turn enhanced his status as an idol around the world. This exhaustive biography also takes us off the field to unearth aspects of Ronaldo’s private life, including the circumstances behind the failure of his first marriage and his long-awaited second marriage to Spanish model Daniela Cicarelli.
From the Trade Paperback edition.
Author James Mosley has been given exclusive access to the footballer’s close management and advisers who have shared with him their experiences with the player over the last ten years. They reveal the inside story of how Ronaldo made his way back to the top of the football world following a horrific knee injury in 1998 which threatened to prematurely end his playing career.
After making a remarkable recovery, Ronaldo has since returned to his prolific goal-scoring ways for his team, Real Madrid, making him Spain’s leading scorer in 2003. Ronaldo continues to be a genuine icon of world football, matched only by David Beckham for fame, recognition and marketability. He has been named FIFA World Player of the Year three times, European Player of the Year twice, and is close to breaking the record for scoring the most international goals.
The Journey of a Genius reveals how the player rose from humble beginnings in Rio de Janeiro to become a football phenomenon. His wealth has been massively boosted by countless advertising and sponsorship deals, which have in turn enhanced his status as an idol around the world. This exhaustive biography also takes us off the field to unearth aspects of Ronaldo’s private life, including the circumstances behind the failure of his first marriage and his long-awaited second marriage to Spanish model Daniela Cicarelli.
From the Trade Paperback edition.
- GenresFootball
256 pages, Hardcover
First published October 25, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
March 14, 2017
There is something a little old-fashioned now about an accounting of a footballer's career in print. All the goals Ronaldo has ever scored are available on You Tube, every great touch he ever made has been highlighted in some collection of footage posted somewhere online.
Nonetheless, this telling of Ronaldo's career, made when he was still at Real Madrid during the ruins of the Galactos period of that club's history is a very decent read. I would suggest that Ronaldo's single season at Barcelona represents the most unplayable any footballer has been since the heyday of Diego Maradona, before he blew out his knee, before the flogging of his talent for profit had really begun, but it also represented the advent of the modern footballer. Pulling down millions for each season he played at Barca, Inter and Madrid, Ronaldo was also the first of the branded footballers, taking his "R-9" brand to every club he played for.
From that perspective alone it was an interesting read, told in straightforwards fashion by a fan rather than a football man.
A very solid effort.
Nonetheless, this telling of Ronaldo's career, made when he was still at Real Madrid during the ruins of the Galactos period of that club's history is a very decent read. I would suggest that Ronaldo's single season at Barcelona represents the most unplayable any footballer has been since the heyday of Diego Maradona, before he blew out his knee, before the flogging of his talent for profit had really begun, but it also represented the advent of the modern footballer. Pulling down millions for each season he played at Barca, Inter and Madrid, Ronaldo was also the first of the branded footballers, taking his "R-9" brand to every club he played for.
From that perspective alone it was an interesting read, told in straightforwards fashion by a fan rather than a football man.
A very solid effort.
December 6, 2021
What would be the point in reading a book about an unfinished career? Well, Ronaldo's career effectively finished at the end of the 05/06 season anyway, as that was the season where poor form and terminal decline set in. Essentially, there isn't much else to say. Even his 06 World Cup was indifferent.
I picked this up in a charity shop and filled in the gaps of a player who should have been in the ranks of Pele, Maradona and Matt Le Tissier (:)) before his devastating injury. For three years after his recovery, he was the best in the world (maybe tying with Zidane), and that ain't half bad.
I picked this up in a charity shop and filled in the gaps of a player who should have been in the ranks of Pele, Maradona and Matt Le Tissier (:)) before his devastating injury. For three years after his recovery, he was the best in the world (maybe tying with Zidane), and that ain't half bad.
June 4, 2023
Good read . Could have been the best ever if it wasn’t for injuries. Still didn’t get the full story from Paris 98 though
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews