Happy Birthday! Ronaldo's Most Badass Moments

When: 1994-1996

Moment: After getting his start with Cruzeiro in Brazil, an 18-year-old Ronaldo is sold to PSV Eindhoven, where he scores 42 goals in 46 games over two seasons.

Complex says: Like Romario before him, Ronaldo was a Brazilian import that quickly became a Dutch master. Smokin'!

When: October 3, 1996

Moment: Ronaldo joined Barcelona for the

When: June 10, 1998 to July 12, 1998

Moment: Ronaldo went to the 1994 World Cup as a 17-year-old but didn't play, so the

When: April 12, 2000

Moment: Inter paid a then-record 19-million euros to buy Ronaldo from Barca in 1997. For the Brazilian, Italy was no different than Spain or Holland, as he continued to score goals at an amazing rate. However, Ronaldo's five years in Milan were plagued by knee injuries. After rupturing a tendon in his knee on November 21, 1999, Ronaldo recuperated for five months before a dramatic return to the lineup for the Coppa Italia final against Lazio. Tragically, seven minutes into his comeback, Ronaldo suffered the same injury...again.

Complex says: We've poked fun at athletes for crying before, but not this time.

When: June 30, 2002

Moment: There were lingering questions about Ronaldo's fitness in the run-up to the 2002 World Cup, but the gap-toothed forward proved skeptics wrong by scoring a tournament-leading eight goals. His brace against Germany in Yokohama secured Brazil's fifth Cup trophy.

Complex says: The goals were great, but what about his half-moon haircut? Ronaldo, you so crazy.

When: April 23, 2003

Moment: Cristiano wasn't the first Ronaldo to make a big splash in Madrid—in 2002, the Brazilian Ronaldo joined Zidane and Figo as part of Real's famous "galacticos" team. In his first year with Madrid, Ronaldo wowed the world with a hat trick against Manchester United in the second leg of the Champions League quarter-final at Old Trafford. How ill was Ronaldo? The Manchester faithful gave him a standing ovation when he was substituted.

Complex says: Legend has it that this was the first match ever attended by Roman Abramovich, who was so taken by the action that he went and bought Chelsea.

When: June 27, 2006

Moment: By 2006, Ronaldo was turning into "Fat Ronaldo," with constant criticism from the press about his lack of fitness and speed. He had an unmemorable World Cup in Germany, but he did score this goal from the Round of 16 against Ghana—notable not only because it was a sweet move, but also because it propelled the Brazilian past Gerd Muller as all-time leading World Cup scorer, with 15 goals.

Complex says: Now that's a fuckin' stepover! Ghanaian goalkeeper=PWNED.

When: January 12, 2008

Moment: Having played for Barca and Real Madrid in Spain and Inter in Italy, it seemed only fitting that Ronaldo's last stop in Europe would be with AC Milan. More injury trouble marred his time with the Rossoneri, but he still managed to show glimpses of his magical scoring touch. The above clip is one of only two goals he scored in the entire

When: April 27, 2008

Moment: After a fight with his girlfriend, Ronaldo picked up three prostitutes and brought them to a Rio motel. But, upon finding out that the women were actually cross-dressing men, Ronaldo balked at paying and was then allegedly extorted by the trannies.

Complex says: Ronaldo claims that he didn't have sex with any of the transvestites, and since prostitution is legal in Brazil, he actually didn't commit a crime. Still, though...c'mon son. Look at the tape.

When: 2009-present

Moment: AC Milan did not renew Ronaldo's contract, so he returned to play in Brazil, signing a deal in 2009 with Corinthians. Earlier this year, Ronaldo re-upped his contract until the end of 2011, when he says he'll retire.

Complex says: He may be a bit heavier and a bit slower than in his prime, but he's still capable of some awe-inspiring runs, as seen above. Hail Ronaldo, you're a legend!