It has been said that a reputation is what you build, while a legacy is what you leave behind. Well on February 14th 2011, Ronaldo Luis Nazario de Lima, the original Ronaldo, (not to be confused with the Ronaldo of the spray-on tan variety), retired from the world of competitive football, calling an end to his days of reputation building, and leaving behind a legacy that few could ever question.
More than an immense athletic talent, Ronaldo would in many ways redefine the perception of the modern footballer. A generational bridge between the Peles and Maradonas of the past and the Messis and Ronaldos (Cristiano) of the present, Ronaldo reminded the world that a footballer could become an artist, an artist could become a superstar and a superstar could become a legend.
So being that these are still the early days of remembering Ronaldo’s legacy, it seems only appropriate that Nike, the brand so closely tied to Ronaldo’s legacy, would be the first to pay tribute to it.
#FOREVERFENOMENO
