25 July 1997: Ronaldo joins Inter

At 06:05 at Rome Fiumicino airport, he landed, after a flight across the Atlantic Ocean from Rio de Janeiro. Another short one to Milan followed. He was wearing a pair of jeans and a chequered shirt. It was raining in Rome but bright sunshine in Milan at his arrival at 08:00.

This was how Ronaldo Luis Nazario da Lima's Inter career began, coming off his flight at Milan Linate airport on 25 July, 1997. People were waiting for him in every spot available: at the airport, on the runway, everywhere. An autograph here, a greeting there.

Together with his partner, they arrived in the centre of Milan. They lunched with President Moratti, along with Sandro Mazzola and Luis Suarez. Fans filled Via Durini, all waiting for him at Inter HQ.

The crowd were excited, jumping for joy. At around 16:00, he displayed a scarf and threw a hat down below, fought for by the 1000 or so fans gathered under the balcony. The photos came first, then a swarm of journalists surrounded him frantically with their first questions.

Ronaldo's first day at Inter, 25 July 1997.

Two days after, 50,000 fans turned up at San Siro; the majority of them wearing the Nerazzurri shirt with Ronaldo's number 10 on the back.

Manchester United were in town for a friendly but the real reason the fans were there was to see Ronaldo. And not only. 27 July also saw a return to the pitch for Nwankwo Kanu after his heart operation.

Before kick-off, the squad were presented to the public by comedy actors Aldo, Giacomo and Giovanni. It was an unforgettable moment, as the players came out one by one to a rapturous applause, including Head Coach Gigi Simoni.

When Aldo screamed out loudly "Ronaldo", and subsequently pretending to faint, the crowd went wild. Ronaldo appeared, greeted everyone, and was literally swamped with affection from everyone, including masses of kids in the Nerazzurri shirt. It was a moment to saviour.

Regarding the game itself, Ronaldo started wearing his usual number 10 shirt, partnering Djorkaeff and Ganz. He played 17 minutes, showing a couple of his lightening quick bursts, before being substituted by Zamorano. The game ended 1-1 with Inter eventually winning on penalties.

But for everyone, that night is remembered as the one where the 'Fenomeno' began his Inter journey.