Ronaldo Aparecido Rodrigues, so good they named him thrice, or even four times after the current Schalke defender picked up the moniker 'Naldo'. A Bundesliga institution following 335 games in Germany’s top division, the Brazilian once known as ‘The Beast,’ is just one match shy of equalling a momentous milestone.
On 5 August 2005, Naldo made his first Bundesliga appearance in the colours of Werder Bremen. Some 12-and-a-half-years later, following a special German journey that has yielded several titles and even more decisive goals, Naldo is set to equal Ze Roberto’s record as the Brazilian with the most Bundesliga appearances. Bremen, Wolfsburg and now Schalke have all been blessed by the presence of the giant, yet affable central defender, who stands at a colossal 1.98m, or 6ft 6in.
Watch: Naldo's last-gasp leveller in the Revierderby sends Schalke into ecstasy!
"Naldo is a leader. He lives for the values of this club and impresses on the pitch. Inside the dressing-room he is highly trusted and respected by his teammates because of his positive and constructive attitude.” The words of Schalke sporting director Christian Heidel were echoed across the Royal Blue family after the southern Brazil-born star recently signed a contract extension that will keep him at the Veltins Arena until he will be almost 37. And the decorated defender has no intention of stopping there.
"I hope to be able to play for Schalke even longer than 2019, but whatever the case, I’m not thinking about quitting yet,” he told German publication Bild recently. “Personally, I feel very good; I’m pleased that I can contribute to [our recent] success,” the player added in words published on the club's official website.
Even by Naldo’s previously high goalscoring exploits, 2017/18 has been a phenomenal campaign to date for the one-time Juventude player. He scored 36 goals across all competitions in his seven seasons at Bremen and managed 20 in four years at Wolfsburg. His combined assist total at both clubs was 19; and all of this from a central defender.
Of the former Brazil international’s four Bundesliga goals this term (making him Schalke's joint-second top scorer!), two in particular have been crucial. A strike five minutes into injury time against Eintracht Frankfurt that earned the Royal Blues a 2-2 draw on Matchday 17 could have been the highlight.
Watch: Naldo netted a dramatic late equaliser at the Commerzbank Arena!
Yet that came earlier, in the Revierderby, when Naldo’s header four minutes into stoppage time helped Schalke to earn a 4-4 draw against rivals Borussia Dortmund after Domenico Tedesco’s side had trailed 4-0 at the Signal Iduna Park. Following that fantastic feat, goalkeeper Ralf Fährmann suggested that the birth rate in Gelsenkirchen would rise significantly nine months after the memorable match, adding that the region was set for a significant amount of new-borns being christened ‘Naldo’.
“I laughed very hard after I heard that,” the Brazilian said, adding, “But why not? I would definitely be happy about many little Naldos named after me!”
Yes, @naldo29_oficial - that did really happen!!! ">https://www.instagram.com/p/BcxcAYXgN3A/" data-instgrm-version="8" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
Even by Naldo’s previously high goalscoring exploits, 2017/18 has been a phenomenal campaign to date for the one-time Juventude player. He scored 36 goals across all competitions in his seven seasons at Bremen and managed 20 in four years at Wolfsburg. His combined assist total at both clubs was 19; and all of this from a central defender.
Of the former Brazil international’s four Bundesliga goals this term (making him Schalke's joint-second top scorer!), two in particular have been crucial. A strike five minutes into injury time against Eintracht Frankfurt that earned the Royal Blues a 2-2 draw on Matchday 17 could have been the highlight.
Watch: Naldo netted a dramatic late equaliser at the Commerzbank Arena!
Yet that came earlier, in the Revierderby, when Naldo’s header four minutes into stoppage time helped Schalke to earn a 4-4 draw against rivals Borussia Dortmund after Domenico Tedesco’s side had trailed 4-0 at the Signal Iduna Park. Following that fantastic feat, goalkeeper Ralf Fährmann suggested that the birth rate in Gelsenkirchen would rise significantly nine months after the memorable match, adding that the region was set for a significant amount of new-borns being christened ‘Naldo’.
“I laughed very hard after I heard that,” the Brazilian said, adding, “But why not? I would definitely be happy about many little Naldos named after me!”
Yes, @naldo29_oficial - that did really happen!!!