Memorable moments: 27 years ago, Ronaldo made cones of opposing players and scored one of the most beautiful goals in football history

There are moments in football history that transcend the sport itself. October 12, 1996 was one of those days. Ronaldo Luis Nazario de Lima, wearing Barcelona’s iconic number 9 jersey, ran down the middle of the pitch as if the opponent wasn’t even there.

Ronaldo astonished the football world in the 1996/1997 season

Twenty-seven years ago, the football world watched in amazement as the 20-year-old in the red and blue jersey picked up the ball in his own half, took it fearlessly towards the opposition’s goal and, despite the opposition trying to stop him illegally, ripped the net open.

As a teenager, Ronaldo left his native Brazil and set out to conquer Europe with his footballing prowess. He struggled with a lingering knee injury during his two seasons in the Netherlands, but still scored 54 goals in 58 games. So it was no wonder Europe’s top clubs began circling him.

Finally, in 1996, he was snapped up by the famous Barcelona under Bobby Robson. The famous English manager believed in his abilities and the predatory youngster started to pay him back almost immediately.

In six league rounds, Ronaldo netted five goals, to which he added two assists. Then, in the seventh match, Barcelona took to the field in Compostela. The young Brazilian once again took his place in the starting line-up.

In the match against Compostela on 12 October 1996, he was man of the match

Sir Bobby Robson left Ronaldo alone in attack, with five midfielders playing under him. In the match against Compostela, Luís Figo, Hristo Stoichkov, Giovanni, Luis Enrique and Pep Guardiola were the Brazilian’s teammates.

The match started unbelievably for the Blaugranas when the first attack, led by Ronaldo, ended with a goal. His centre hit a defender just in front of Giovanni and the ball went unluckily into the net, 0:1.

A quarter of an hour later, Ronaldo shone again. He beautifully dispossessed a defender and headed it into the net. Even though he was alone in front of the home goalkeeper, he was a team player. This time, the pass to his compatriot was successful and Giovanni increased the gap to two goals.

In that match, he scored one of the most beautiful goals in history

Then, in the 36th minute, came the moment after which time stood still in the football world for a brief moment. Ronaldo took the ball on a stunning journey across half the pitch and his goal left fans, including Bobby Robson, in speechless amazement.

“I took the ball in the middle of the pitch, I felt him holding me, but I kept running,” he said, according to Spanish daily MARCA. “I saw the whole defence in front of me, but I got between two players in the penalty area and then I just shot,” Ronaldo recalled of the incredible moment.

Even the Compostela players, who were just watching Ronaldo slip through their defence like a knife through butter, showed the same appreciative enthusiasm. Midfielder Jose Ramon, who was wearing the Compostela jersey at the time, described the goal as “an unbeatable force”. A goal that left the defenders helpless.

The referee also played his part, making a great assessment of the situation in the middle of the pitch and letting the game go after several possessions by Ronaldo. But the Brazilian cannonballer was not only unstoppable that night and his power combined with his unearthly dribbling was simply unstoppable.

He then added another goal in the match when he performed a brilliant manoeuvre on the edge of the offside trap, taking advantage of a pinpoint pass from Luis Figo. Barcelona managed to win 1:5 and Ronaldo was the man of the match as he has been so many times this season.

After all, in the 1996/1997 season he managed to score 47 in 49 games in all competitions and won the FIFA World Player of the Year award as the youngest player at the age of just twenty. However, he only stayed at Barcelona for one season before moving to Inter Milan for a then record €30 million due to a failure to agree a new contract.

Source: La Liga, Marca, Twitter/X, Youtube