In 1988, Ronaldo joined his first club team, Tennis Club Valqueire, where he played indoor soccer. He played with a size 2 ball on a basketball court. The ball had very little bounce which meant the ball was always on the ground. This game was designed to encourage foot control and is credited with being the reason why Brazilian players are so skillful. Ronaldo started his first game with this club team on the bench, where they selected him as cover for the goalkeeper. Eventually he played as a forward, where he like it because he loved to score.
When Ronaldo was 13 he still played indoor soccer with the Social Ramos and regular outdoor soccer with Sao Cristovao. He became the leading scorer in both tournaments and had to choose which path he wanted to follow. He decided to focus on outdoor only. He was good and he was getting noticed. His mother preferred him to study, but he preferred to play soccer. Finally he got his big break and signed for a fee. Reinaldo Pitta, Alexandre Martina and the coach of the Brazilian under 17 team bought him for $7,500. Ronaldo then asked for the Nike shoes he had always dreamed of, and became the leading player in the South American junior tournament in