All-time Ballon d'Or Winners XI

Striker: Ronaldo Nazario

Ronaldo Nazario

As football coverage on television exploded in the '90s, one player became synonymous with an entire generation of fans as he wagged his finger after finding the back of the net. Brazil's very own striker Ronaldo - The Phenomenon.

The speed with which he dribbled the ball and ran at defenders sent a rush through the stands and those watching the game on TV. There was nothing quite like it - the agility, the flair, the acceleration and sudden deceleration with the ball.

"He's not a man, he's a herd." - Former Real Madrid forward Jorge Valdano

The 1998 World Cup ended on a sour note after he played the final despite falling ill prior to the game. But he soon put it behind him to lead the Selecao to their fifth World Cup title in 2002 with 8 goals - including a brace in the final.

"Imagine you asked God to be the best player in the world, and he listened to you." - Nike commercial that celebrated his solo goal

Ronaldo has won the Ballon d'Or twice - in 1997 and 2002. While his achievements to win the 2002 trophy are well-documented, his one-year stint with Barcelona rarely gets a mention. He was more popularly known as a Real Madrid Galactico after all.

The 1996/97 season saw him score an astounding 47 goals in 49 matches (which included 34 goals in La Liga to win the European Golden Shoe). Sadly, he too was a victim of injuries which eventually saw him lose his pace as his career wore on.

Nevertheless, he remains an idol to many players in the current generation - including the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic.