Ronaldo revealed he was once attacked on the field because he aimed to score a hat-trick.

It was more than just a memorable match; it also showcased the strong character, self-assurance, and remarkable bravery of one of the all-time greatest forwards in world football history.

At the beginning of his career, Ronaldo quickly made a huge impact on Brazilian football thanks to his outstanding goal-scoring ability for his age group. Even at a very young age, he attracted special attention from the media and fans, earning the nickname "The Alien" due to his unusual playing style. Before a domestic league match in Brazil, Ronaldo confidently declared that he would score three goals. This statement inadvertently made him a target on the pitch.

As the match began, Ronaldo immediately sensed the tense atmosphere. From the very first minutes, he continuously became the victim of off-the-ball fouls from opponents. These were not just typical aggressive tackles but hidden strikes from behind, difficult for referees and spectators to clearly see. By halftime, Ronaldo had been assaulted three times, resulting in a bleeding mouth and damaged teeth.

At that time, recording technology was limited, and matches were not covered from as many camera angles as today. Therefore, what Ronaldo endured was hardly fully documented. The only clear evidence was the visible injuries on the teenage player’s face. At the end of the first half, Ronaldo left the field devastated, crying from both pain and confusion as he faced enormous pressure at such a young age.

However, the turning point came during the break. Encouragement from teammates and coaching staff helped Ronaldo regain his spirit. In the second half, he returned to the field with great determination. Instead of avoiding challenges, Ronaldo played with full focus, maintained composure, and turned all difficulties into motivation. As a result, Cruzeiro won 3-0, with all three goals scored by Ronaldo himself, exactly as he had promised before the match.

Born in 1976, Ronaldo scored 44 goals in 47 matches for Cruzeiro at just 16 to 17 years old before conquering Europe with PSV Eindhoven, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, and AC Milan. Despite his career being interrupted by serious injuries, he still won two Ballon d'Or trophies and two World Cup championships, leaving an indelible mark in football history.