R9’s Journey Cited as Inspiration by Youth Minister During India Visit

New Delhi, 15 October – Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Raksha Khadse posted on X about a recent meeting with the Brazilian football legend Ronaldo Nazário, famously called R9. She called the dialogue “memorable” and highlighted that the two‑time World Cup champion’s life story will continue to inspire future generations.

Ronaldo was touring India to take part in a sports gathering when the minister arranged the meeting. Khadse pointed out that such high‑profile interactions strengthen the case for a solid sporting ecosystem that empowers young Indian athletes to dream bigger and compete at elite levels.

Born on 18 September 1976 in Rio de Janeiro, Ronaldo is celebrated as one of the greatest forwards in football history. He contributed to Brazil’s World Cup victories in 1994 and 2002, emerging as the tournament’s top scorer in 2002 with eight goals from seven matches. His international record spans 98 caps and 62 goals between 1994 and 2011.

During his club career, he featured for top European sides including Barcelona, Inter Milan, Real Madrid and AC Milan, scoring 280 goals in 384 appearances from 1993 to 2011. Ronaldo earned FIFA World Player of the Year three times and lifted the Ballon d’Or on two occasions.

The minister’s message underlined that Ronaldo’s unparalleled achievements provide a model for building a robust sports framework in India, encouraging young talent to aim for world‑class performance.