The Phenomenon: Ronaldo documentary release date, how to watch and full details on DAZN’s film about Brazil football legend
A World Cup at 17 and two world-record signings and the Ballon d’Or at 21 are just part of the story of Ronaldo, the Brazilian legend who was once the world’s most feared player and a talent unlike any football had ever seen before .
Averaging more than a goal per game at Cruzeiro, PSV and Barcelona, Ronaldo’s exceptional speed, skill and power usually proved unstoppable.
Ronaldo’s supernatural talent has been matched by his off-field appeal, where he has become one of the most sought-after and heavily marketed players in the world at a time when the sport was not yet beset by fancy commerce and investment.
Now Ronaldo has said a new documentary will tell “the true story of my career”. Here’s when you can see it, how to find it, and what we know about it so far.
WATCH: The Phenomenon: Ronaldo documentary on DAZN
The Phenomenon: Ronaldo Release Date
The feature premiered on October 14, 2022 in the presence of Ronaldo in Madrid and according to Real Madrid, it will be officially released on October 21.
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez and manager Carlo Ancelotti were among the spectators watching the first screening.
Although Ronaldo was plagued by injury problems during his spell at Madrid between 2002 and 2007, he won La Liga twice during his time at the club and was the top scorer in Spain’s top flight in the 2003/04 season.
How to watch The Phenomenon: Ronaldo
The film can be seen exclusively on DAZN.
A subscription costs £7.99 a month in the UK, $19.99 a month or $99.99 a year in the US, $24.99 a month or $199.99 a year in Canada and $13.99 in Australia $ per month.
Join us tonight for coverage of the world premiere of The Phenomenon: The Rise, Fall & Redemption of Ronaldo
Here’s a little taste of what awaits you 👀 pic.twitter.com/DIm82jzVgd
— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) October 14, 2022
What is the phenomenon: Ronaldo?
One of the film’s preview clips shows fellow Brazilian legend Roberto Carlos comparing Ronaldo to a pop star at his peak and looking back on the immense early success that has made him synonymous with brands like Nike.
There are goals from his early years in Brazil, his time at PSV after being part of his country’s World Cup squad in 1994 and his explosively brilliant exploits after winning for a then-record £17.4m ($19.5m) moved to Barcelona.
However, the film’s full title is The Rise, Fall and Salvation of Ronaldo, and there are plenty of less than enjoyable storylines to follow in the goalscoring genius’ career.
Perhaps most memorable for many fans at the time was the immediate preparation for the 1998 World Cup final, when Ronaldo reportedly suffered a seizure at the team hotel hours before the showpiece.
Today is my birthday and to celebrate I would like to announce that The Phenomenon – a DAZN original that tells the true story of my career – will be released next month
Here’s a little teaser with some friends who remember when I was the best player in the world 😉 pic.twitter.com/7MQUyFADaf
— Ronaldo Nazário (@Ronaldo) September 22, 2022
Ronaldo was named Player of the Tournament but, by his standards, remained anonymous in the final as Brazil were defeated 3-0 by hosts France.
Roberto Carlos was Ronaldo’s roommate and the two discuss the incident in the film. Also reflecting is the pressure Ronaldo faced as a young man, with crowds of fans awaiting him everywhere.
“I still have airport trauma today,” Ronaldo said at one point alongside footage of a frenzy as he tries to force his way out of a screaming, crowded crowd. “And that’s probably because of those trips.”
Legendary defender Paolo Maldini says he considers Ronaldo, Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi to be the greatest players of all time, but Ronaldo’s career would suffer a cruel blow early in the 1999-2000 season at Inter Milan, where he has been in consistently sensational form ever since Joined the club in 1997.
the phenomenon itself @Ronaldo 🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/d5deCplLZB
— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) October 14, 2022
Ronaldo’s knee injury was so bad it stumped the physiotherapists. After two surgeries and the better part of three seasons, Ronaldo returned to win the World Cup and a second Ballon d’Or in 2002, but injuries, fitness and weight issues caused his career to decline rapidly after early success and he moved to Madrid.
The film ties into the DAZN show El Presidente, which hijacked viewers from 2018 during Ronaldo’s time as Real Valladolid president and pumped millions into the league club he still owns.
It’s also the first of DAZN’s three World Cup assignments, which will publish Green Lions – a story about Cameroon’s impressive 1990 World Cup team – and Maradona 94: The Fall, which chronicles the Argentine icon’s controversial campaign at the 1994 World Cup .