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#7 Ronaldo (1997)
When he was in his prime, Ronaldo was frightening. He had such incredible balance and power for someone so quick. Played with that Brazilian swagger and scored loads of goals, including some incredible ones.” — Denis Irwin
The way the bald-headed Brazilian tormented the defenders is a stuff of legend in the soccer world. Luis Ronaldo won the Fifa World Player of the Year three times and the Ballon d'Or two times in his glittering career.
When players take their first step towards becoming a professional soccer player, Ronaldo had already won the Fifa World Player of the Year at the tender age of 20 in 1996. In the following year, he would retain the title and also win France Football's Ballon d'Or, with 222 points amongst 51 voters while playing for Internazionale. Real Madrid's Predrag Mijatovic finished second with only 68 points.
The season 1996-97 was arguably the one when he carved out a niche as the ultimate best to watch in the sport. The Samba star was equally influential when he won his third award in 2002, winning the World Cup and also the tournament's Golden Shoe with 15 goals.
Due to his insane goal-scoring techniques and exploits, the Brazilian earned the pseudonym of 'Il Phenomeno', meaning The Phenomenon.
