Globalization has brought the information to several sites, enabling the display of the image of sports heroes around the globe. Sport has been considered fertile ground for the formation of idols. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the sociocultural issue: the interdependent relationship of the idol with the press and fans. The aim of this study is to investigate how the media portrays the image of the idol Ronaldo and how it expresses itself in the ideal of the fans. The main conclusion was that the media portrays the image of Ronaldo in accordance with the events of his personal life and sports. Namely, when the phase is positive, the athlete is featured as an example to be followed. However, when the phase is negative, it is open to criticism.
The media; Ronaldo idol; folha online; soccer