After leaving the game, Ronaldo became closely involved with philanthropic work, becoming a United Nations Development Programme Goodwill Ambassador. He 💷 also served as an ambassador for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. In 2024, Ronaldo purchased a team in the Spanish 💷 La Liga called Real Valladolid, and in 2024, a controlling stake in Cruzeiro.

In 1998, Ronaldo entered the FIFA World Cup 💷 as a starting striker for Brazil, and many considered him to be the best player on the planet. He scored 💷 continuously throughout the tournament before a convulsive fit threatened to take him out of the final. He miraculously recovered just 💷 hours before kickoff, but he seemed dazed and Brazil lost the final to France. Later, a neurologist determined that Ronaldo 💷 should not have been allowed to play while feeling the aftereffects of a seizure.

In the years that followed, Ronaldo began 💷 to have serious issues with his knees. In 2000, he suffered a complete rupture of his kneecap tendons. This caused 💷 Ronaldo to miss almost three years of professional sport, although he returned in 2002 to help Brazil win the World 💷 Cup. That year, he also signed with Real Madrid for 46 million Euros. He was one of Real's key players, 💷 but Ronaldo suffered from continuous injury and weight issues during his time in Madrid.

In December 2024, he purchased a controlling 💷 stake in Cruzeiro, his boyhood club, for 400 million reais ($70 million at the time).