Club Career
Ronaldo begun his career in 1979, after making the cut during a Corinthians youth tryout. Originally a forward, he was intimidated by the large pool of children who were gunning for attacking positions that day and decided to try out for a goalkeeping position, as he had brought gloves to the tryout. Earning a spot as a third goalkeeper with the junior team, Ronaldo was eventually brought to the main team to help out in training. He made his professional debut in a goalless friendly against São José EC in 1988. During that year's Campeonato Paulista he defended a penalty kick from Dario Pereyra in the derby against São Paulo FC, cementing his place as the starting goalkeeper for the team.
As a player, Ronaldo was notorious for his physicality and for not being afraid of charging an incoming attacker.
A fundamental player in Corinthians' 1990 Campeonato Brasileiro title win, and in 1994's defeat in the finals against SE Palmeiras, Ronaldo earned the Bola de Plata award from Placar Magazine for best goalkeeper in both of these years. He left the club in 1998, by the order of then coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo, who sought to "renew" the club after the near relegation in 1997. Ronaldo played 602 times for Corinthians, being the team's third most capped player.
After being released by Corinthians, he played for many other clubs with nowhere near the success he enjoyed with Corinthians. He was a part of the Fluminense squad that was relegated to the Série C in 1998. He retired from professional football in 2005.
Read more about this topic: Ronaldo Soares Giovanelli
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