5 greatest rags-to-riches stories in football history

#3 Ronaldo Nazario

Ronaldo Nazario won the World Cup with Brazil in 2002.

Ronaldo Nazario is one of the finest strikers to have graced the game. During his heyday, Ronaldo was virtually unstoppable, beating opposition defences with his blistering pace and trickery and scoring goals galore.

The 2002 FIFA World Cup and two-time Ballon d'Or winner was born to a poor family in Rio de Janeiro, and had to drop out of school at the age of 11 after his parents separated.

Ronaldo, who mostly played street football in those days, impressed at Brazilian club Cruzeiro, where PSV Eindhoven spotted him, and there was no looking back. He would go on to play for the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid, Inter Milan and AC Milan in a hugely successful yet injury-riddled career.

Ronaldo.Old Trafford.Hat-trick.🤫#OnThisDay in 2003, @Ronaldo received a standing ovation at Man Utd for THIS.pic.twitter.com/ezmYwWSrjF

— Goal (@goal) April 23, 2020

The Brazilian held the record for most goals (15) at the FIFA World Cup before Miroslav Klose overtook him at the 2014 edition of the competition which Germany won.

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#2 Diego Maradona

Diego Maradona is often regarded as the GOAT.

Diego Maradona is regarded as one of the most naturally-gifted players to have played the beautiful game. Although he was hardly a role model off the field, there is no denying Maradona's ability on the ball, especially when he was using his magical left foot.

The 1986 FIFA World Cup winner became infamous because of his extravagant lifestyle and bigger-than-life persona, but like the others on this list, Maradona had humble beginnings.

Born to a poor Argentinian family in Buenos Aires, Maradona started playing football at the age of three and began to impress with his wizardry on the ball. After his move to Boca Juniors in 1981, the diminutive Maradona didn't have to look back.

The late Maradona scored one of the goals of the tournament against England at the 1986 FIFA World Cup, which Argentina won. He enjoyed his most successful spell at Napoli, where he helped the Southern Italian club win the only two Serie A titles in their history.

Maradona scored this goal in 1986 World Cup against England which was voted “The Goal of the Century” 🥅 The God of Dribbling. RIP. #GOAT pic.twitter.com/9jE5cuVQf0

— Nigel D'Souza (@Nigel__DSouza) November 25, 2020

Maradona took Argentina to another FIFA World Cup final in 1990, which they lost to West Germany, before his career ended in shame after he was ousted from the 1994 World Cup following a failed drugs test.

After he passed away at the age of 60 last year, Napoli renamed their stadium the Estadio Diego Armando Maradona.

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#1 Pele

Pele's name is always spoken in the same breath as Maradona with some rating him even higher.

Pele is widely regarded as one of the best players to have played the game. During an illustrious playing career for club and country, the Brazilian scored over 1200 goals.

The 81-year-old is the only player to win three FIFA World Cup titles and is the youngest player to score in a World Cup final; Pele was 17 when he netted twice in Brazil's 5-2 win over hosts Sweden in the 1958 title match.

But much before he became famous around the globe because of his footballing prowess, a young Pele struggled to make ends meet after he was born to a poor Brazilian family in the early 1940s. Pele apparently had to polish boots to support his family, but destiny had other plans in store for him.

After a sceptical Santos provided the precocious teenager his first break, Pele scored on his club debut barely days after turning 16 and never looked back. A few months later, he would score six times, including twice in the final, as Brazil won the first of their five FIFA World Cup titles.

On This Day in 1958Pele scored his first World Cup goal ⚽️He ended his career with three World Cup trophies 😎 pic.twitter.com/pkvsFEKpHi

— Goal (@goal) June 19, 2020

Despite his diminutive stature, Pele was strong in the air and was able to outsmart taller, physically imposing defenders. Pele would later say:

"Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do."