what is ronaldo biography

Cristiano Ronaldo Biography Facts, Childhood, Career, Life

Cristiano Ronaldo, popularly known by his nickname ‘CR7’ is a Portuguese professional football player.

He plays forward for Juventus (Italian club) and the Portugal National Team. Among the greatest of all time to have graced the football pitch, entertaining us with a unique style of play, outstanding dribbles, sensational goals and electrifying speed, Cristiano Ronaldo stands out.

The ace skipper has a penchant for scoring incredible goals while inspiring his team to victory. Ronaldo emboldens the perfect definition of winning.

We take a close look into the life of this football star who is regarded as one of the greatest players of all-time on the planet in our Cristiano Ronaldo biography facts, childhood, career and personal life.

Table of Contents

Cristiano Ronaldo Childhood & Early Life

Cristiano Ronaldo was born on February 5, 1985. He was the fourth child born to his mother, Maria Dolores dos Santos Aveiro and his father, Jose Dinis Aveiro in Funchal, an island of Madeira, Portugal.

His father worked as a metropolitan gardener while his mother was a cook. Ronaldo was named after then-US President Ronald Reagen.

Ronaldo has an elder brother, Hugo and older sisters, Elma and Liliana. While growing up, he and all his siblings shared a room.

Ronaldo was raised as a Catholic. He played for an amateur team, Andorinha, before being signed by Sporting CP for 1,500 Euros after a three-day trial.

Ronaldo stopped attending school so as to focus on his football career. Prior to that decision, he was expelled after throwing a chair at his teacher.

His football dreams were threatened by a racing heart condition, but after undergoing surgery he resumed playing.

Cristiano Ronaldo Club Career

Sporting cp (2002–2003).

Ronaldo earned his place in the youth team of Sporting CP at the age of 16, after he was promoted by the first-team manager.

Ronaldo became the first sporting CP player to play in the under-16, under-17, under-18, B-team and first team in a season.

Ronaldo’s representative spoke with then-Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier and Barcelona president, Joan Laporta on signing him.

Arsenal Manager also met with Ronaldo to discuss a possible transfer. Alex Ferguson was impressed by Ronaldo’s performance in a 3-1 defeat of Manchester United in August 2003.

Ferguson was further pressurized to sign him permanently after United plan to sign him for a year before loaning him back to Sporting CP. Sporting was paid 12.24 million pounds in exchange for him.

Manchester United (2003–2009)

Ronaldo who was the first Portuguese signing by Manchester United had the most expensive signing for a teenager in the 2003–2004 season.

He proved his worth as he became one of the best players in Europe. While Ronaldo played in England, he became the first player to break the 20-goal barrier and helped United claim their first League title in four years.

His achievements didn’t go unnoticed as he received Professional Footballer’s Association’s Player, Young Player of the Year and the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year, making him the first player to receive four major PFA and FWA award for two consecutive seasons.

He also won the Premier League Golden Boot for his 31 goals and European Golden Shoe, the first winger to achieve the feat.

In the Champions League, Ronaldo inspired United to clinch Europe’s prestigious tournament which earned him the UEFA club footballer of the Year Award.

Ronaldo rounded off his time with United with the Ballon d’Or award, becoming the first Premier League Player to be named the FIFA World Player of the Year.

He also received the FIFA Puskas Award for best goal as well as winning the Premier League with United for the third time. Ronaldo claimed a total of nine trophies while at Manchester United.

Real Madrid (2009–2018)

Ronaldo secured a move to Real Madrid before the start of the 2009–2010 season, in a world-record transfer of 94 million Euros, with a 1 billion Euros buyout clause with His contract which was set to expire in 2015.

The attendance of 80,000 fans at his presentation at the Santiago Bernabeu broke the 25-year record of 75,000 attendances at Diego Maradona’s Napoli presentation.

His first season with Madrid still saw him as a Ballon d’Or contender as he emerged second in the Ballon d’Or and FIFA World Player of the Year behind Lionel Messi despite failing to win any trophy.

The following season saw him also emerged as a runner-up behind Lionel Messi in the FIFA Ballon d’Or awards. But this time inspiring Madrid to the La Liga title, their first in four years.

During his time at Madrid, he forged an attacking trio, known as the BBC, an acronym for Bale, Benzema and Cristiano with his fellow teammates. He enjoyed a successful run, which made him admit he was in the best form of his career.

Ronaldo won the FIFA Ballon d’Or an amalgamation of the FIFA World Player of the Year and the Ballon d’Or. Ronaldo also helped the Madrid to their tenth European championship, La Decima and as well as their 12thLa Duodecima.

Ronaldo particularly achieved more in his final days with Madrid becoming Madrid first Player to score a total of 5,900 goals.

He also became the first player to score 100 goals in a UEFA club competition. Ronaldo emerged the top scorer of the UEFA Champions League for a fifth consecutive season. He led Madrid to their twelveth European title, La Duodecima earning him his fifth Player of the Year award.

Ronaldo received the Ballon d’Or award a day after winning the FIFA Best Men Player Award. The highest point of his last days with Madrid was his bicycle kick goal in a 3-0 away win over Juventus which was lauded by the opposition fans.

The goal was labelled as a “Playstation goal” by Juventus defender Andrea Barzagli.

Juventus (2018 – 2021)

After rumours of an imminent move from Real Madrid, Ronaldo secured a 100 million Euros transfer to Juventus which also included an additional 12 million euros in fee and contributions to Ronaldo’s youth club.

His transfer was the highest for a player above 30 years old. Ronaldo attributed his move to Juventus to the need for a new challenge, but later said he opted for a transfer due to a lack of support from the club president.

He debuted for Juventus in a Serie A goal against Chievo on August 18, 2018. In his first champions league appearance for Juventus, he was sent off due to violent conduct.

Manchester United (2021 – present)

Ronaldo returned to his youth team Manchester United in August 2021. It was no shock that the first day of his return to Manchester United his T shirt sales have broken every club record, ever.

As this stage evolves we will update this page with his achievements that are honestly too much to keep track at this stage. Breaking league records every year, it is clear that even at his age which is considered ” old” he still has the ability to be at the top of his game.

Cristiano Ronaldo National Team Career

After beginning his national team career in 2001, Ronaldo became a regular face in the Portuguese National team squad, appearing in the 2002 URFA European Under-17 Football Championship, the 2004 summer Olympic as well as in the under-15, under-17, under-20, under-21 and under-23 national teams, before debuting for the senior team at age 18.

After a series of trials at the Euros, Ronaldo finally led Portugal to the Euros success in 2016. He last featured for the Portuguese side in the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia where he had a spectacular performance.

Cristiano Ronaldo Family and Personal Life

Ronaldo gave birth to his first child in 2010, the identity of the child’s mother is unknown. It is unclear if he was involved in a relationship or if the child was given birth to via surrogacy. In 2017, he became a father to twins.

Ronaldo is known to be a philanthropist. In 2004, he visited Indonesia to raise funds for rehabilitation and reconstruction after TV footage showed a boy whose parent had been killed in the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, and had been stranded for 19 days.

In 2012 he and his agent paid for the treatment of a nine-year-old Canarian boy with terminal cancer. He sold his 2011 golden boot for 1.5 million euros to fund schools in Gaza.

In August 2016, he launched the CR7Selfie app, a selfie app for charity to aid Saving of children.

Ronaldo and a man were accused of rape. One of the women involved withdrew her allegation. Subsequently, Scotland Yard issued a statement that there was not enough evidence to file a case.

In 2017, German newspaper Der Spiegel published an article which alleged a rape accusation against Ronaldo.

The rape was said to have taken place in 2009 and was subject to legal persecution before a non-disclosure agreement was signed, which made the charges to be dropped. In September 2018, the German newspaper revealed the name of the woman as Kathryn Mayorga. Ronaldo dismissed the allegation as fake news.

Ronaldo was charged with tax evasion in July 2017. He was said to have evaded about 15 million euros in tax between 2011 and 2014. He was reportedly sentenced to two years in jail and fined about 18.8 million euros in a deal with the Spanish Authorities.

The fine was reduced by 2 million euros. The sentence could be served under probation without jail time.

Cristiano Ronaldo Achievements and Awards

Tournaments won.

• Premier League (2006-2007, 2007-2008, 2008-2009)
• FA Cup (2003-2004), Football League Cup (2005-2006, 2008-2009)
• FA Community Shield (2007)
• La Liga (2011-2012, 2016-2017)
• Copa del Rey (2010-2011, 2013-2014)
• Supercopa de Espana (2012, 2017)
• UEFA Champions League (2007-2008, 2013-2014, 2015-2016, 2016-2017, 2017-2018)
• UEFA Super Cup (2014, 2017)
• FIFA Club World Cup (2008, 2014, 2016, 2017)
• UEFA European Championship (2016)
• UEFA Euros (2016)

Individual Awards

• FIFA Ballon d’Or (2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017)
• UEFA Men’s Player of the Year (2013-2014, 2015-2016, 2016-2017)
• Champions League Forward of the Season (2017-2018)
• UEFA Club Footballer of the Year (2008)
• Barclays Player of the Year (2006-2007, 2007-2008)
• PFA Young Player of the Year (2006-2007)
• PFA Player of the Year (2006-2007, 2007-2008)
• La Liga Best Player (2013-2014)
• La Liga Best Forward (2013-2014)
• La Liga Most Valuable Player (2012-2013)

Cristiano Ronaldo Biography Facts, Nickname, Occupation, Current Teams, Education, Parents, Siblings, Wife/Girlfriend, Children, Zodiac Sign

SEE ALSO: 10 Reasons Cristiano Ronaldo Is The Greatest Footballer Of All Time

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Biography Cristiano Ronaldo

Short Biography Cristiano Ronaldo

His second name ‘Ronaldo’ was named after his father’s favourite American actor – Ronald Reagan.

From an early age, he loved playing football. His talent, enthusiasm and love for the game soon became apparent. By the age of ten, his talent was becoming well known in Portugal and he was signed for Nacional, a Portuguese side from Madeira. He later signed for Sporting Lisbon – one of the biggest clubs in Portugal.

His first international exposure came when representing Portugal under 17s at the UEFA championships. His performance caused him to be marked by leading European football managers. In 2003, he played against Manchester United when Sporting beat them 3-1 in a friendly.

At Manchester United, his career steadily progressed. In the 2006/07 season, Ronaldo was a key figure in Manchester’s successful league campaign. Ronaldo scored over 20 goals, as he won his first championship. In March 2007, his prowess helped him to gain a record-breaking £120,000 a week five-year contract. He also won PFA player of the year award.

The 2007-08 season was even better, with Cristiano Ronaldo being named the player of the tournament, as Manchester United won the coveted Champions League trophy. The most prestigious club competition in the world. Sir Alex Ferguson said of Ronaldo:

“We’ve had some great players at this club in my 20 years, but he’s up with the best.”

Real Madrid

However, despite the success, Ronaldo expressed a desire to leave the club, and move to Real Madrid. In 2009, Manchester United accepted an offer of £80 million from Real Madrid, making Ronaldo the most expensive player in the world.

His prolific goal-scoring record has lead to frequent comparison with Barcelona’s exceptional Lionel Messi. Sometimes, Ronaldo played up the rivalry, but at other times played it down.

“It’s part of my life now. People are bound to compare us. He tries to do his best for his club and for his national team, as I do, and there is a degree of rivalry with both of us trying to do the best for the teams we represent.”

– Cristiano Ronaldo

On 10 July 2018, Ronaldo was signed by Italian club Juventus for a €100 transfer fee (plus additional €12 million in other fees. In his first season, he helped Juventus to another Serie A title, and Ronaldo became the first player to win national titles in the big three leagues of England, Spain and Italy.

World Cup and international career.

Style of Play

There is widespread admiration for the athleticism, speed, talent and technical ability of Ronaldo. He has the capacity to dribble and beat players, and score a spectacular array of goals from overhead bicycle kicks to free-kicks and headers. Over the years, he has worked on both his physical strength and technical ability. He plays with tremendous confidence and often makes use of feints, dummies and step-overs, his skill and reputation make him a feared opponent. His self-confidence is a defining feature of his game and personality. Interviewed in 2018, he replied

“In my mind, I’m always the best. I don’t care what people think, what they say. In my mind, not just this year but always, I’m always the best.”

Cristiano Ronaldo BBC Sport ( 5 November 2015 ).

Ronaldo has a strong work ethic, and has been able to maintain a consistently high standard of play for several seasons:

“I am not a perfectionist, but I like to feel that things are done well. More important than that, I feel an endless need to learn, to improve, to evolve, not only to please the coach and the fans, but also to feel satisfied with myself. It is my conviction that there are no limits to learning, and that it can never stop, no matter what our age.”

– Cristiano Ronaldo.

He has sometimes been accused of having a petulant side. For example at the 2010 World Cup, he winked after getting David Beckham sent off.

Outside of football

Outside of football, he is often photographed with his model girlfriends and in his many sports car. Perhaps unfairly, he is characterised as the ultimate ‘playboy’ footballer, with his styled hair, and expensive clothes. In 2009, he was involved in a crash whilst driving his Ferrari. However, after reacting to newspaper claims he was involved in drinking in England, he replied,

“I don’t smoke or drink, and I’m not a big spender. I live in a rural part of Cheshire and my nearest neighbours are squirrels, birds and cows. Much of my time is spent at home with friends and family. I enjoy being peaceful and often sit by the candlelight to relax. Tranquillity is important to me.”

Ronaldo says he does not drink alcohol, which may be related to the early death of his father in 2005, aged 52 from alcohol-related liver damage.

He has also been involved in numerous philanthropy initiatives and has given parts of his salary to charitable relief efforts. He serves as a Save the Children Global artist ambassador.

Family life

He has three children via a surrogate mother and one daughter with a former girlfriend, Spanish model Georgina Rodriguez.

The legendary George Best said of Ronaldo:

“There have been a few players described as the new George Best over the years, but this is the first time it’s been a compliment to me.”

Citation: Pettinger, Tejvan . “Biography of Cristiano Ronaldo”, Oxford, UK. www.biographyonline.net Last updated 18 March 2020.

Career Achievements

• Ronaldo is the only player to win the unique combination of the league title, domestic cup, domestic Supercup, Champions League, Club World Cup, League player of the year, Golden Shoe and Ballon d’Or at two clubs (Manchester United and Real Madrid)
• Most goals scored in a single calendar year for club and country: 63 goals (2012)
• Most goals scored in the UEFA Champions League: 128 goals (2020)
• Winner of five FIFA Ballon d’Or awards (given to world’s best player)
• Only player to win national titles in England, Spain and Italy.
• Five times winner of UEFA Champions League (4 with Real Madrid, 1 with Man Utd)
• Four times winner of FIFA club world cup.
• At the time (2009) The most expensive footballer in history £80 million – Man Utd to Real Madrid
• Only player in history to have scored 60 or more goals in a calendar year four times (consecutively from 2011 to 2014)
• The only player to score 50 goals or more in seven consecutive seasons (2011-17)
• Real Madrid all-time top goalscorer: 450 goals
• Most goals scored in a season in all competitions: 60 goals
• Most goals scored in a single La Liga season: 46 goals
• Most goals scored in a single UEFA Champions League season: 17 goals
• Most hat-tricks in a La Liga career (25)
• Most international goals scored in a calendar year: 32 (2017)
• First player to score in ten consecutive international tournaments (2004-19)
• Portugal’s most capped player of all time: 164 caps
• Portugal’s all-time top goalscorer: 99 goals

Cristiano Ronaldo The Rise of a Winner

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Cristiano Ronaldo – Moments at Amazon

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13 Comments

Imagine saying pepsi(messi) is better than the goat (Ronaldo)

• February 10, 2022 5:23 PM

Christiano is the best player in the whole world

• January 07, 2022 11:34 AM
• By Adebisi adeyinka

cr7 is the best player in worldwide

• December 28, 2021 7:50 AM
• By akindejoye tayo

Join the Discussion Cancel reply

Last updated: Oct 27, 2022

Cristiano Ronaldo Bio And Facts

Table of Contents

Cristiano ronaldo, social media, soccer career, titles and awards, personal life.

Cristiano Ronaldo is a Portuguese soccer player who is known to be one of the greatest players of his generation.  He currently plays as a striker for Manchester United and the Portuguese National Football Team. He previously played for the clubs Sporting CP, Real Madrid, and Juventus. He has won seven league titles collectively with Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus. Alongside that, he also has won the Champions League title five times and the UEFA Euro League and Nationals League once.

Not only is Ronaldo known for his soccer skills, but he is also known to have one of the highest social media followings across his platforms. This has landed him contracts with major companies such as Nike. Ronaldo has also established his own brand CR7, through which he sells eyewear, footwear, underwear, and fragrances. Cristiano Ronaldo has made a huge impact on this generation with his soccer skills and popularity.

• Born:  February 5, 1985 (05-02-1985)
• Net Worth:  $500 million
• Occupation:  Professional Soccer Player
• Height:  6’1” (1.85 m)
• Weight:  185 lbs (83.9 kg)
• Position:   Forward , Striker
• Years Active:  2002-Present
• Career Goals :  700
• Nicknames:  CR7
• Teams:  Sporting CP, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus F.C., and Portuguese National Football Team
• Business Website

Cristiano Ronaldo began his professional soccer career in 2002 at Sporting Club de Portugal as he was promoted from their youth team. After a successful season at Sporting, he was transferred to the Premier League to play for one of its biggest clubs, Manchester United. At the time, his transfer cost £12.24 million. He wore the number 7 jersey which had been worn by many great soccer players previously. He lived up to that and became a sensational player as he helped Manchester United win the Premier League title and Champions League title in the 2007-2008 season.  

Soon after, Ronaldo transferred to Real Madrid in 2009 and played there until 2018. He helped win Real Madrid multiple La Liga titles, but also three Champions League titles in a row. He ended his Real Madrid career with 292 matches and 311 goals. In July 2018, he transferred to Juventus, where he made 134 appearances and scored 101 goals.

Ronaldo transferred back to Manchester United in 2021, where he still plays today. This was a monumental transfer for fans of CR7, who were delighted that he was returning to the Premier League.

Throughout his professional career, Ronaldo has won multiple titles and awards. He has won five Ballon d’Or awards in 2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, and 2017 . This is the most for any European player. He is also a five times UEFA Champion Leagues winner in which he won for 2007-08 Manchester United, 2013-14, 2014-15, 2016-17, and 2017-18 seasons with Real Madrid. 

Ronaldo has also been awarded top scorer 17 times during his career which includes the Champions League, La Liga, Premier League, FA Cup, and Fifa Club World Cup. Ronaldo was also the UEFA Best Player in Europe during the years of 2014, 2016, and 2017. Ronaldo also has the record for most goals scored in the UEFA Champions League, with 130 goals. From 2007 to 2018, Ronaldo has been awarded Footballer of the Year in Portugal as well. 

Ronaldo grew up in Madeira, Portugal and is the youngest of four children. He was first introduced to soccer through his father’s job as an equipment manager for a boy’s soccer club. As a child, Ronaldo also faced multiple hardships growing up due to his father’s drinking problem. Despite this, he shared a close relationship with his parents.

Ronaldo previously dated model Irina Shayk, who ended their relationship after five years in 2015. In 2016, Ronaldo started dating Georgina Rodriquez who he is currently with. He has five children: Cristiano Ronaldo Jr., Eva Maria dos Santos, Mateo Ronaldo, Alana Martina  dos Santos Aveiro, and Bella Ismerelda.  Ronaldo Jr. was born in 2010 and Ronaldo has full custody of his son due to an agreement with Ronaldo Jr.'s mother. Her identity remains a mystery as they did not want to disclose this information. Eva and Mateo were born in 2017 via surrogacy. In 2017, Rodriguez gave birth to Alana. In 2022, Rodriguez gave birth a second time to Bella Ismerelda. 

• The name “Ronaldo” was added to Cristiano’s full name as his father’s favorite actor at the time was Ronald Reagan.
• Ronaldo is the most followed athlete on Instagram, as he reached 200 million followers in 2020.
• Juventus sold over 520,000 Ronaldo jerseys (that valued up to $60 million) 24 hours after their release. 
• Ronaldo has established his own brand CR7, which includes eyewear, footwear, denim, and fragrances.
• He is the 3rd athlete of all time to get a “lifetime” contract with Nike, which is valued around $1 billion. 
• The Madeira airport in Madeira, Portugal (his hometown) has a bronze statue of Ronaldo. 
• Ronaldo is said to make close to $400,000 per sponsored post on his Instagram account. 
• He had his legs insured at $144 million by Real Madrid. 

Which teams has Ronaldo played for?

Ronaldo started his career at Sporting CP and eventually transferred to Manchester United in 2003, Real Madrid in 2009, Juventus in 2018 and then back to MU in 2021.  He also plays for the Portuguese national football team. Ronaldo’s career accelerated while he was at Manchester United. He helped the club win a league title after 4 years. Ronaldo performed extremely well for Real Madrid, ending his career with 311 goals in 292 matches.

How has Ronaldo gained so much popularity?

Ronaldo is well known for his skill on the pitch. Due to this popularity, he is one of the highest-paid endorsers. Ronaldo differentiates himself from other athletes as he leverages his social media presence and brand power. Across his Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, he has over 440 million fans. Brands all across the world have made him the face for their companies, ranging from cable providers to watch companies. Ronaldo has successfully used his presence to build a brand and following for himself.

Does Ronaldo do charitable work?

Ronaldo has been known to make considerable contributions to different charities during his career. During the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and earthquake, he went to Indonesia to help raise funds for the rebuilding of the country. He has also previously auctioned off his Ballon d’Or trophy from 2013 to raise money for the Make-a-Wish foundation. He had also made a hefty donation to Save the Children to help with clothing, food, and medical care for the children in Syria.

Do Ronaldo and Messi have a rivalry?

When they both played the La Liga, Ronald and Messi had almost a decade long “rivalry” due to their clubs being old rivals. Ronaldo then played for Real Madrid and Messi still plays for F.C. Barcelona. Not only that, but both have always been top players, breaking new records. Both players are considered to be two of the best of their generation and are naturally compared to one another in the public eye. Both have challenged each other to compete and do their best. Despite many rumors and talk, both have condemned this rivalry publicly and act civil with one another.

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Cristiano Ronaldo Biography: The Life and Legacy of a Football Legend

Jonathan Kao

April 3, 2024

Cristiano Ronaldo, born Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro, stands out as a towering figure in the world of football. His journey began on the Portuguese island of Madeira where he honed his skills from a young age. Ronaldo’s natural talent and relentless work ethic propelled him from a young dreamer playing for local clubs to a global superstar gracing some of the world’s most prestigious pitches.

Throughout his illustrious career, Ronaldo’s name has become synonymous with success and achievement. His track record of scoring goals and shattering records has earned him a spot among the legendary players of the game. Off the field, his life story attracts just as much interest, marked by determination and triumph over personal challenges that add depth to his persona beyond the accolades.

Key Takeaways

• Cristiano Ronaldo’s career began in Madeira and quickly escalated to international stardom.
• His football achievements include numerous titles and records with major European clubs.
• Ronaldo’s biography encompasses both his professional triumphs and personal resilience.

Absolutely! Here’s a table outlining Cristiano Ronaldo’s key career information. Since his career is extensive, I’ll focus on the most important aspects:

Cristiano Ronaldo

Major career highlights, additional notes.

• Ronaldo holds numerous individual records, including most goals scored in international soccer and the UEFA Champions League.
• He is widely considered one of the greatest soccer players of all time.

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Cristiano Ronaldo’s journey began on the island of Madeira, where his natural talent for football soon catapulted him from local kid to global sensation.

Birth and Family Background

Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro was born on February 5, 1985, in Funchal , Madeira, Portugal. The youngest child of María Dolores dos Santos Aveiro, a cook, and José Dinis Aveiro, a municipal gardener and part-time kit man, Ronaldo’s family was steeped in the love for the beautiful game from the very beginning.

Early Football Days in Madeira and Sporting CP

Ronaldo’s path to stardom started in the streets of Madeira. Before long, he was spotted as a prodigious talent and began playing for local club Andorinha. At the tender age of 12, he moved to Lisbon to join one of Portugal’s largest clubs, Sporting CP , where his potential began to turn heads.

Development at Sporting Lisbon and Move to Manchester United

It wasn’t just Ronaldo’s feet that were swift; his development was rapid, too. He ascended through the ranks of Sporting’s famed academy with ease, impressing with his speed, technique, and goal-scoring prowess. In 2003, after leaving a lasting impression during a pre-season friendly against them, Ronaldo sparked the interest of Manchester United’s then-manager, Sir Alex Ferguson who signed him shortly thereafter, ushering in a new chapter for the young star at one of the world’s most prestigious football clubs.

Club Career and Achievements

Cristiano Ronaldo’s club career is marked by remarkable success, transformative transfers, and an impressive collection of individual and team awards.

Dominance in the Premier League

Ronaldo’s tenure at Manchester United showcased his emergence as a world-class talent. He helped the team secure three Premier League titles consecutively from 2007 to 2009. His performance also earned him his first Ballon d’Or in 2008.

Transfer to Real Madrid and La Liga Success

His transfer to Real Madrid in 2009 set a world record fee at the time. In Spain, Ronaldo’s brilliance continued with two La Liga titles and four Champions League trophies. His goal-scoring prowess was unmatched, making him Real’s all-time top scorer.

Continued Success at Juventus and Beyond

Ronaldo’s journey took him to Juventus in 2018, leading to two Serie A titles and a Supercoppa Italiana . Though his time in Italy was shorter, his impact was clear, tallying goals and adding a Coppa Italia to his list of accomplishments.

Fun and Interesting Facts About Ronaldo

Here’s a selection of fun and interesting facts about Ronaldo:

• Nickname Origins: As a child, he was nicknamed “cry-baby” and “little bee”. The “cry-baby” part was due to his frustration when his teammates didn’t score, and “little bee” was because nobody could catch him on the pitch.
• Heart Condition: At 15, he was diagnosed with a racing heart, a condition that could have ended his football dreams. He underwent surgery to correct it, allowing him to continue his career.
• Speed Demon: Ronaldo is known for his incredible speed and agility. He’s been clocked at a top speed of around 21 miles per hour, which is just a bit slower than Usain Bolt at his peak!
• Museum Dedicated to Himself: Ronaldo has a personal museum in his hometown of Madeira, Portugal. The CR7 Museum showcases his trophies, awards, and memorabilia.
• Philanthropy: Ronaldo is a generous philanthropist involved in various causes. He’s donated to disaster relief efforts, supported children’s charities, and serves as an ambassador for Save the Children and World Vision.
• No Tattoos: Unlike many footballers, Ronaldo doesn’t have any tattoos. This is because he regularly donates blood and tattoos can complicate the donation process.
• Fashion Icon: Ronaldo has his own fashion lines including underwear (CR7 Underwear) and fragrances. He’s known for his style on and off the pitch.
• He Was Named After a President: His middle name, “Ronaldo” was chosen because of his father’s admiration for former US President Ronald Reagan.
• Jump Power: Ronaldo has an extraordinary vertical leap. He can jump higher than the average NBA player, which contributes to his heading prowess.
• Insane Work Ethic: He is legendary for being one of the hardest working athletes in the world. His dedication to fitness and training is unmatched.
• Social Media Superstar: Ronaldo is one of the most followed people on social media in the world, with a massive presence across platforms like Instagram and Facebook.
• Businessman: Beyond his football career, Ronaldo has a successful business empire. He has investments in hotels, gyms, and various other ventures.
• Singer?: Ronaldo has occasionally tried his hand at singing. You can find videos online of him belting out tunes, though it might not be his next career move!

Frequently Asked Questions

These questions explore key aspects of Cristiano Ronaldo’s life and career, providing quick insights into his personal and professional journey.

What is Cristiano Ronaldo’s full name?

Cristiano Ronaldo’s full name is Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro. This name reflects his Portuguese heritage and family ties.

At what age did Cristiano Ronaldo start his professional football career?

Cristiano Ronaldo began his professional football career at the young age of 16 when he signed with Manchester United in 2003, marking the start of an illustrious career.

Who are the members of Cristiano Ronaldo’s family?

Cristiano Ronaldo’s immediate family includes his mother, Maria Dolores dos Santos Aveiro, and his father, José Dinis Aveiro. He has one son named Cristiano Jr. and three more children.

Which clubs has Cristiano Ronaldo played for, including the dates he joined them?

Ronaldo started his senior career at Sporting CP in 2002, before moving to Manchester United in 2003. In 2009, he joined Real Madrid, then transferred to Juventus in 2018. He returned to Manchester United in 2021, and as of January 2023, he plays for Al Nassr.

What is known about Cristiano Ronaldo’s childhood and early life?

Cristiano Ronaldo was born in Funchal, Madeira, Portugal. His childhood home was humble, and he began playing soccer for a local team, Andorinha, where his father worked as the equipment manager.

Has Cristiano Ronaldo ever faced any significant health issues during his career?

Throughout his career, Ronaldo has maintained exemplary physical fitness. However, he has overcome minor injuries and health challenges that are common in high-level athletes.

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Cristiano Ronaldo's evolution as a player: From making it in Manchester to Madrid and Juve goal machine

Cristiano Ronaldo has been a prolific scorer and dominant force in England, Spain and Italy during his illustrious career. But how has his playing style altered as he has achieved success with Manchester United , Real Madrid and Juventus ? Gab Marcotti dug into the data. (For his look at Lionel Messi 's career, click here .)

Note: Statistics and data measured per 90 minutes via Opta and StatsBomb and based upon games played before the coronavirus-enforced shutdown of European football in March.

Jump to: Early years | Taking over | Peak Cristiano | Birth of a centre-forward | Life as a 30-something

The early years (2002-06)

Cristiano Ronaldo made his professional debut for Sporting at 17 years of age, coming on at half-time of a home defeat to Partizan in the UEFA Cup. You could tell he was not fully developed physically; he was tall and thin with a shirt billowing, and not just because that was the style at the time.

Sporting knew they had something special on their hands, but as often happens with young players, there was a fear of mental burnout. Plus, perhaps, a lack of clarity on how to best use him.

The focus was on Ronaldo's most obvious skills: speed in open spaces, long limbs pumping and an ability to beat opponents one-on-one. The rest was all to be discovered; he had played more centrally at times at youth level, but was used almost exclusively wide in the first team, as often happens with players breaking through.

Give him space. Let him breathe. Let him find who he is.

Most know the story about how Sir Alex Ferguson became determined to sign Ronaldo after he starred in an August 2003 preseason friendly between Manchester United and Sporting, but United had been tracking him for some time, and as best we can tell, that game didn't persuade Ferguson to sign the 18-year-old as much as it persuaded him to take Ronaldo to Old Trafford straightaway rather than leave him for a season on loan at Sporting.

United got his signature ahead of several other European clubs who had been hot on his tail, including Arsenal , Valencia , Barcelona -- yes, there's a parallel universe in which Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are teammates and monopolise the sport for 15 years -- and Parma , who had a verbal agreement with Sporting.

- Stream Ronaldo's Serie A games LIVE on ESPN+ (U.S. only) - Stream ESPN FC Daily on ESPN+ (U.S. only) - Marcotti: Lionel Messi's evolution as a player

The Ronaldo who arrived in England -- and inherited United's No. 7 shirt from Real Madrid-bound David Beckham -- was a close relative of the Sporting version. He was a piece of clay, yet to be molded but hungry to experiment. He was encouraged to express himself, and that usually meant one thing: dribbling and beating opponents.

His mazy runs usually started wide and took him all over the pitch, but his head was often down, and this meant he would miss the runs of teammates or fail to spot the moment to shoot. In fact, Guillem Balague notes in his biography of Ronaldo that when he was playing as a traditional winger, other United players were sometimes left frustrated: "Why doesn't he just bollock it!?!" Gary Neville used to think each time he would see Ronaldo take an extra touch and pass up the opportunity to shoot.

Centre-forward Ruud van Nistelrooy was among the most irritated, running into space for through balls that never arrived and losing defenders for crosses that never came. Going from Beckham to that version of Ronaldo was not easy when you were a supply-dependent striker.

Ronaldo's Premier League statistics from that period are limited to goals and assists, but they corroborate the idea that he was a work in progress. H e averaged 0.2 assists and 0.26 non-penalty goals, which are not bad numbers for his age, but they did not offer many clues to what would happen in the next stage of his development.

We do have more detailed statistics -- albeit with a smaller sample size -- for his performance at Euro 2004, where he was a 19-year-old who parachuted into the final years of Portugal 's Golden Generation. Ronaldo attempted more dribbles (7.79) than anybody else at the tournament and ranked among the leaders in shots on goal with 4.1.

Tellingly, and unlike most of his later career, he was also among the tournament leaders in possession-adjusted tackles and interceptions (3.29). Being on the big stage, with the pressure of playing for a host nation, perhaps gave him more freedom than he found at United, where he joined a veteran side coming off years of success.

Taking over (2006-09)

In the summer of 2006, United made what would turn out to be a fateful decision, selling Van Nistelrooy to Real Madrid and clearing the way for the further development not just of Ronaldo but also of Wayne Rooney , another young attacker born in 1985.

Van Nistelrooy, who had just turned 30, had notched 150 goals in all competitions during five seasons, but rather than replacing him directly, Ferguson went into the 2006-07 season with an attacking corps, the members of which all had questions to answer.

There was Rooney and Ronaldo, respectively just 20 and 21, plus 33-year-old Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who had not started a league game for two years, and Louis Saha, no stranger to the treatment table himself and scorer of just 24 goals in two and a half years at the club. Alan Smith was also there, but had suffered a bad injury the previous February and was not exactly a scoring machine, as evidenced by one goal in his previous 33 outings.

United had failed to win the league in each of the three previous seasons -- the club's longest drought in 15 years -- and had finished an average of 14 points outside first place in that time. Their only new signing ahead of the 2006-07 campaign was Michael Carrick, a deep-lying midfielder; essentially, Ferguson was handing the keys of the team to Ronaldo and Rooney.

Ronaldo became the focal point of the attack, or, rather, because Rooney was also an unorthodox striker rather than a traditional centre-forward, the pair were the hub of a fluid offense, each reacting to the other's movement. Ronaldo began to exploit his aerial ability, scoring eight league goals over three seasons with his head and vastly outperforming expected goals -- xG -- which amounted to 3.03 in that time.

He usually lined up on the right, but occasionally played through the middle or on the left, but in some ways where he started mattered less than where he ended up: all over the pitch, creating mismatches and wreaking havoc. As he took on more attacking responsibility, he started taking more shots and averaged more than five a game, a figure he would stay above through the rest of his United career.

Not only that but, to use Neville's term, he started "bollocking it" from distance. Of the 527 shots Ronaldo took in those three seasons, nearly 60% came from more than 21 yards out. That would remain a hallmark throughout his career, although his effectiveness from distance has waned over time. So too has his dead-ball prowess; in this period, he scored nine free kick goals in the league.

To accommodate Ronaldo's freedom, Ferguson added attacking players in 2007 ( Carlos Tevez ) and 2008 (Dimitar Berbatov). While both helped share the load, crucially neither was a traditional centre-forward who might clog the middle or get in Ronaldo's way. Tevez, a bit like the Rooney of the time, was a hardworking, unselfish force of nature, and Berbatov, while offering less in terms of work rate, liked to find space deeper and often prioritized finding teammates over scoring himself.

United won three consecutive league titles and, just as important, excelled in the Champions League, reaching a semifinal and two finals (winning it all in 2007-08). Over the past 50 years, the club have reached the final four of the Champions League or European Cup on only five occasions: three of them came in this period, with Ronaldo running rampant.

While this piece is mostly about his individual statistics and how he has changed and evolved, you cannot forget that football is a team game. And it is not a coincidence that his last three years at United, when he was tasked with carrying the team, coincided with arguably the best three-year period in club history.

Peak Cristiano (2009-14)

But for Ferguson's veto and a gentleman's agreement, Ronaldo would have moved to Real Madrid in the summer of 2008. Instead, he made the switch a year later as part of perhaps the biggest (and most expensive) overhaul in history. In addition to his world-record fee of €94 million ($102m at the time), Kaka, Karim Benzema , Xabi Alonso and Raul Albiol also moved to the Bernabeu as part of a quarter-billion-Euro spending spree for new manager Manuel Pellegrini.

Florentino Perez's return as president heralded a new "Galactico Era," following that of Zinedine Zidane, Luis Figo and the original Ronaldo, but the learning curve was steep. Cramming so many stars, plus a number of illustrious holdovers, into a coherent XI was not easy for Pellegrini, and the task was made harder by the fact they were up against Pep Guardiola's Barcelona.

Real Madrid finished second in 2009-10 but were a disjointed side that crashed out of the Champions League at the round-of-16 stage. That they ranked last in La Liga for shot quality, with an xG/shot of 0.06, tells you this was more a bunch of individuals than a team.

Ronaldo took responsibility, as he had done at United. He led the team in shots and dribbles attempted, and his time was divided quite equally along the attacking front: left, right and centre. He finished the campaign with 33 goals; 26 of them were scored in La Liga, which saw him one behind Gonzalo Higuain .

Things changed when Jose Mourinho replaced Pellegrini. The relationship between the Portuguese pair would go through highs and lows, but the "Special One" quickly found Ronaldo a clear position as a left-sided wide forward, with plenty of licence to come inside. He still took plenty of shots (averaging 6.91 over Mourinho's three seasons), but took them from better positions (his xG/shot doubled to 0.12).

Mourinho's approach was less possession-based than that of Pellegrini, and Ronaldo thrived with greater reliance on quick transitions and playing into space, while quickly adapting to Higuain and Benzema, who alternated at centre-forward.

Higuain was more of a penalty-area striker, but had the technique and vision to set up wingers and midfielders for shots. Benzema, a bit like Tevez and Rooney at United, covered huge areas of the attacking front, running tirelessly and allowing Ronaldo to pick his spots. The two would form a devastating tandem for most of the next decade.

Ronaldo was still very much in the limelight, but an outsized personality like Mourinho, who would often willingly act as a lightning rod for the media, shifted some attention away. Ronaldo's personal life was more settled too: He was in a stable relationship and lived with his mother and children. As he entered midcareer, he became more preoccupied with preserving his body and getting the best out of it.

Working with Valter Di Salvo, Madrid's fitness coach, Ronaldo developed and embraced an all-encompassing program that covered not just conditioning but also nutrition and sleep. Everything was tracked, from crumbs of food to minutes of recovery. It was during this period that he also bulked up, adding muscle to his frame.

His game became more essential, more direct, more functional. His attempted dribbles declined annually, from 6.26 in 2009-10, to 3.93 in 2012-13, Mourinho's final season. By contrast, his scoring really picked up: Ronaldo averaged 30 goals from open play in the league during Mourinho's three seasons.

The 2012-13 campaign was also telling in terms of his role as a leader. A stressed Mourinho went to war with media, players and opposing clubs as Madrid finished 15 points behind Barcelona, and Ronaldo, who had previously led mostly by example, became an important voice in the dressing room. He stood up for his teammates and had no qualms about confronting his manager, which was not something to be taken lightly, given they shared the same agent, Jorge Mendes.

The summer of 2013 saw the arrival of Gareth Bale , whose fee was slightly higher than that of Ronaldo, although the club made it part of his contract for that not to be made public. Ronaldo remained the team's centrepiece, with Bale adapting to the opposite wing. New manager Carlo Ancelotti, as per his modus operandi, tried to retain parts of Mourinho's setup while adding his own tweaks.

The idea was to give Bale, Benzema and Ronaldo -- the trio would soon be known as "BBC" -- even more freedom. Mesut Ozil , who had been one of Ronaldo's regular assisters when operating in the hole, was sold to Arsenal, while Higuain went to Napoli , turning Benzema into the full-time centre-forward.

Ronaldo became even more of a fixture in the box -- for the first time in his career, he shot more from inside 21 yards than outside -- and his attempted dribbles increased. The BBC were supported by a hardworking midfield of Luka Modric , Angel Di Maria and Alonso, and that combination helped, in May 2015, lead Madrid to a long-awaited Decima , the club's 10th European Cup.

Birth of a centre-forward (2014-16)

Ronaldo was arguably enjoying the best season of his career in 2013-14 -- by the midpoint of the Liga season he had scored 22 goals, plus another nine in the Champions League -- but patellar tendinitis in his knee flared up again and would not go away. He missed several weeks in February and April, plus another three in May, before rushing back for the Champions League final.

He insisted upon playing through injury and his production remained consistent, but he was struggling and would continue to do so at the World Cup, where he scored just once as Portugal went out in the group stage.

As he worked his way back in 2014-15 -- very much a "playing rehab" as he missed very few games -- his body began to change again. The chiseled features remained, but he started to shed weight, turning leaner. Part of that was to give his knee some relief, part of it was to best exploit some of the mismatches coming his way.

Ronaldo gradually became a de facto centre-forward, too physically strong for most full-backs but still quick enough against most central defenders. It was not an overnight process, by any stretch. In 2014-15, he attempted just 3.62 dribbles, the lowest total of his career, and was successful less than half the time (1.8).

The knee, evidently, was still bothering him, and this could also be seen in his work off the ball. He had never been the most hardworking when out of possession, but in 2014-15 he recorded 0.34 possession-adjusted tackles-plus-interceptions every 90 minutes, ranking dead last in La Liga.

But he moved very much like a centre-forward when Madrid had the ball. Remember how nearly 60% of his shots came from beyond 21 yards during his later United days? Now the proportion was reversed and nearly 60% came from inside the area. His finishing ability and knack for anticipating defenders made all the difference, and he ended up with a monstrous 48 league goals (61 overall) in 2014-15, of which a career-best 38 came from open play.

The trend continued the next season under Rafa Benitez, with whom he clashed and of whom he was harshly critical after Benitez was sacked in January 2016. They clearly did not see eye to eye, but that did not stop Ronaldo putting together another impressive season statistically, in part because he was finally fully fit.

He scored 29 league goals from open play, while maintaining his shot volume of nearly six and logging shot quality of 0.14 xG/shot. He had refined his movements in the box, further developing an already keen sense of where the ball was going to go.

Ronaldo continued to dribble less relative to earlier seasons, mainly because he was operating so close to goal. He scored 16 times in Europe, and after Zidane replaced Benitez, Madrid won the Champions League in May 2016. It looked as if Ronaldo's purple patch was set to continue.

Life as a 30-something (2016-present)

Ronaldo finally won a major international tournament when Portugal upset France in the final of Euro 2016, but he was forced off after 25 minutes with injury, and the aggravated knee issues caused him to miss not only the preseason but the opening weeks of the club campaign.

The next two seasons at Madrid felt as if the club was intent on winning while the window of opportunity was still open, and with a mostly unchanged cast, they reached and won two more Champions League finals to make it three European Cups in a row, while also finishing top of La Liga in 2016-17.

By this stage, Ronaldo was in his early 30s and, along with many of his teammates, relied on guile, technique and experience more than athleticism. As a team, it often felt as if they were on cruise control, simply raising their game when they needed to. Which is what you expect from a veteran side.

Ronaldo fit this new ecosystem. In 2016-17, he scored 19 league goals from open play, his lowest total since arriving at the Bernabeu; the next year he had 23, his third-lowest mark. His shots went down to 5.88 over the two years, lower than in any season since joining Real Madrid.

Moreover, he rarely dribbled (2.39 attempts) and, when he did, was not particularly effective (successful just 0.99 times). Similarly, he rarely shot from distance, with an average of 43.5 attempts per season, fewer than in any single campaign over the previous decade. He was ineffective when he did let fly, scoring just three times.

It was not necessarily a decline, especially looking at the overall numbers and his ability to perform when it counts. The 86 goals in all competitions over those two years was a total second only to Messi's, and his leadership remained unquestioned and he regularly popped up at crucial times.

Witness his performances in the 2016-17 Champions League knockout phase: five goals over two legs against Bayern Munich in the quarterfinals, a hat trick against Atletico Madrid in the semis and two against Juventus in the final. That year, he also scored five goals in Real's last five Liga games, all of them wins that saw Madrid bounce back from defeat to Barcelona in El Clasico to win the title by a nose.

The next year, he scored five times in the Champions League knockout rounds, with Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus among his victims. At the World Cup, his opening-game hat trick against Spain served as another reminder of what he could do on his day.

Portugal went out at the last-16 stage, after which Ronaldo moved to Juventus. He was 33, and with hindsight it is hard to overstate the transition he had to make after nine seasons with the same club. It was not just about adapting to Serie A but also about fitting into a team that had been very successful domestically, playing in a way that was not necessarily suited to his skill set.

Real Madrid under Zidane and Juventus under Max Allegri in 2017-18 were very different animals. Madrid took 4.2 more shots per game; their xG was 30% higher; they pressed far more and created more chances off the press. Allegri was tasked with making Juventus' style fit Ronaldo while also delivering results.

It was far from straightforward, so perhaps it should not come as a surprise that many of his numbers declined further, a trend that has continued in the current season. Maurizio Sarri replaced Allegri and in theory -- as a more attacking manager willing to commit more players forward -- should have been a better fit for Ronaldo.

However, after five years under Allegri, the entire team found the transition difficult, and Sarri struggled to get his new squad consistently playing the way he wanted. In hindsight, announcing early in the season that Ronaldo "didn't need to worry" about tactical instructions but rather the rest of the team would work for him, might not have been a great idea by The Old Lady's new boss.

That combination -- an unsettled team, managerial change, a philosophy that deviated from the Real Madrid ethos -- has not been easy for Ronaldo to navigate.

Ahead of Serie A's shutdown in March, his non-penalty goals (0.50 last year, 0.60 this season) were down to levels not seen since his final year at Old Trafford; his shot totals dropped (5.36 and 5.44); and his xG (0.60 and 0.48) dipped to levels not seen since his first season in Spain. His proportion of shots from distance was in line with the previous five seasons (37.7%) but he scored very infrequently from range: one goal in 112 attempts for Juve came from beyond 21 yards.

His touches in the box, on the other hand, are way up (8.44 last season, 13.43 this year, which is higher than ever for him, bar one year at Madrid). That suggests his teammates are determined to find him but, perhaps, do not necessarily get him the ball where he can hurt opponents as often as in the past.

It is difficult to divorce Juventus' style of play, upheaval in personnel and managerial change from Ronaldo's own performances, and there is no question that this is a different player who, perhaps understandably as he ages, is not hitting the superhuman levels of past seasons.

The question is how he will adapt to this "new normal" and whether, when (if?) Juventus have their upturn, he will click back to something close to what he was in his guise as a right-sided centre-forward or will reinvent himself again or whether, in his mid-30s, Father Time is finally catching up with him.

Cristiano Ronaldo Height, Age, Girlfriend, Wife, Family, Biography & More

Some lesser known facts about cristiano ronaldo.

• Does Cristiano Ronaldo smoke?: No
• Does Cristiano Ronaldo drink alcohol?: No
• He was named after the US President Ronald Reagan who was the favorite actor of his father.
• In an interview, Ronaldo said that he grew up in poverty and shared a single room with his siblings.
• When he was 14 years old, he had the feeling to become a semi-professional footballer and his mother encouraged him to pursue his career in football.
• He was expelled from the school after throwing a chair at his teacher.
• In his childhood, Ronaldo was diagnosed with Racing Heart (a condition in which heart rate exceeds the normal resting rate).
• He became Manchester United’s first-ever Portuguese player when he signed during the 2003-2004 season.
• When he signed the Manchester United, he became the most expensive player (his transfer fee 12.24 million euros) in the English Soccer history.
• In Manchester United, he requested jersey number 28 but received jersey number 7 (previously been worn by legends like David Beckham, Eric Cantona, George Best).
• For Alex Ferguson (Ronaldo’s manager in England), Ronaldo said, “He’s been my father in sport”.
• For Manchester United, Ronaldo scored his first goal with a free-kick.
• On 12 January 2008, Ronaldo scored his first hat-trick for Manchester United against Newcastle United.
• on 7 July 2008, he underwent ankle surgery and remained out of action for 10 weeks.
• When he scored a 40-yard strike goal against Porto, he called it the “best goal he had ever scored”.
• On 10 May 2009, he scored his final goal for Manchester United with a free-kick.
• In 2009, Ronaldo joined Real Madrid which was a world record transfer fee (80 million euros).
• He is often ranked as the best player in the world.
• Cristiano Ronaldo is the only player to win four European Golden Shoe awards.
• His first international goal was in Euro 2004.
• On 3 July 2010, Ronaldo announced that he has become a father but has never revealed the identity of his son’s mother.
• He has no tattoos on his body and the reason cited by him is that he donates blood regularly and by tattooing, it would hamper his blood donation campaign.
• His autobiography “Moments” was published in December 2007.

Cristiano Ronaldo with the world’s most expensive car, Bugatti La Voiture Noire

• On 14 June 2021, the popular soft drink company Coca-Cola’s share price dropped by 1.6% after Cristiano Ronaldo removed two Coca-Cola bottles during a press conference at the European Championship; the event coincided with a $4bn fall in the share price of Coca-Cola.

The watch gifted by Cristiano Ronaldo to Georgina Rodriguez

References/Sources: [ + ]

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Net Worth Is Almost Comically Shocking

Here’s what makes the soccer star the highest-paid athlete on the planet.

According to Sportico , the Portuguese sports icon remained the world’s highest-paid athlete in 2023 with a whopping $275 million in earnings. The 39-year-old, who signed a contract with Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr FC reportedly worth up to around $200 million per year , was almost $60 million ahead of golfer Jon Rahm ($203 million) in second place.

Generally, soccer players dominated the top of the list though. Lionel Messi was a distant third ($130 million), with Kylian Mbappé fifth ($125 million), and Neymar sixth ($121 million).

The Sportico estimate marks a significant jump in earnings for five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo, more than double what he made in 2022 according to a similar list from Forbes .

In addition to Ronaldo’s large playing salary with Al-Nassr, USA Today has estimated he makes around $90 million through off-field means like image rights, appearance fees, and endorsements. So with Ronaldo clearly winning on and away from the pitch, what is his actual net worth?

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Net Worth, Explained

According to The Sporting News , reports from September 2023 listed Ronaldo’s total net worth around $500 million . Celebrity Net Worth is even more generous, estimating the value of the Portugal national team captain at $600 million .

Ronaldo, who began his senior club career in 2002, became the first active team-sport athlete to pass $1 billion in career earnings in 2020. The only two athletes from any sport to reach the mark before him were golfer Tiger Woods and boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. , according to CBS Sports.

Endorsement deals with a variety of companies, most notably Nike, have helped pad Ronaldo’s net worth. The shoe and athletic wear giant inked Ronaldo to a lifetime contract in 2016 that pays him at least $20 million annually. Business Insider reported that in just the first year of the deal, Ronaldo’s social media presence alone generated $476 million in media value for Nike, making the company’s investment a no-brainer.

Ronaldo’s expansive audience—he has 168 million followers on Facebook, 620 million on Instagram, and another 110.5 million on X, formerly Twitter—has made him a key target for other brands. According to the Daily Mail , Ronaldo has had partnerships with Tag Heuer, KFC, Armani, Herbalife, and Emirates airline.

Ronaldo hasn’t been afraid to dip into his net worth and spend a lot of his earnings, either. According to The US Sun , the father of five has a car collection worth $21 million, including a rare Bugatti Centodieci that cost him $10.5 million. The duPont Registry lists a Ferrari F12 TDF, Lamborghini Aventador, and a Porsche 911 among his other vehicles.

Ronaldo also owns a $602 million Madrid villa among his collection of properties and collects watches. According to the Daily Mail , one of his favorite timepieces is a Jacob and Co. Grand Baguette with an estimated price tag of $1 million.

Who Are the Other Highest-Paid Athletes?

NBA superstar LeBron James is fourth in estimated earnings on the Sportico list with $125.7 million, just a sliver above Mbappé.

Behind No. 6 Neymar, these athletes round out the top 10 sports earners of 2023:

• NBA player Stephen Curry , $198.9 million;
• NBA player Giannis Antetokounmpo, $88.4 million;
• NBA player Kevin Durant , $86.9 million;
• and Super Bowl-winning quarterback Patrick Mahomes , $84.3 million.

Tyler Piccotti first joined the Biography.com staff as an Associate News Editor in February 2023, and before that worked almost eight years as a newspaper reporter and copy editor. He is a graduate of Syracuse University. When he's not writing and researching his next story, you can find him at the nearest amusement park, catching the latest movie, or cheering on his favorite sports teams.

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29. Cristiano Ronaldo’s Impact Beyond Football The Ultimate Player: How He Became a Role Model Worldwide

I. introduction.

A. Briefly introduce Cristiano Ronaldo as a football legend – In this section, we will provide a concise introduction to Cristiano Ronaldo, acknowledging him as one of the greatest football players of all time.

B. Mention his global fame and accomplishments in the football world – Here, we will highlight Ronaldo’s immense popularity and the numerous accolades he has earned during his football career.

C. Tease the focus of the blog post: Ronaldo’s impact beyond football and his role model status – We will set the tone for the blog post, hinting at the main topic: Cristiano Ronaldo’s influence on people beyond his achievements in football, particularly his role model status.

Table of Contents

II. Early Life and Struggles

A. Describe Ronaldo’s humble beginnings in Madeira, Portugal – This section will delve into Ronaldo’s upbringing in the small island of Madeira, Portugal, showcasing his modest background.

B. Highlight the challenges he faced while growing up – We will discuss the obstacles and difficulties Ronaldo encountered during his childhood and adolescence.

C. Emphasize his determination to succeed and passion for football – Here, we will emphasize Ronaldo’s unwavering determination and passion for the sport of football, which drove him to pursue his dreams.

III. Sporting Success and Global Recognition

A. Cover Ronaldo’s early football career and breakthrough at Sporting Lisbon – This part will explore Ronaldo’s early football journey, including his breakthrough at Sporting Lisbon in Portugal.

B. Discuss his time at Manchester United and becoming a superstar – We will elaborate on Ronaldo’s transition to Manchester United, where he became a global superstar.

C. Analyze his move to Real Madrid and subsequent achievements – This section will focus on Ronaldo’s move to Real Madrid and his remarkable accomplishments during his time there.

IV. Humanitarian Efforts and Charity Work

A. Explore Ronaldo’s involvement in charitable activities from an early stage – In this section, we will highlight Cristiano Ronaldo’s early engagement in philanthropic endeavors and giving back to society.

B. Highlight specific philanthropic initiatives he has been part of – We will mention specific charity projects and initiatives that Ronaldo has actively participated in.

C. Showcase the impact of his contributions on various communities – Here, we will emphasize the positive effects of Ronaldo’s charitable contributions on different communities around the world.

V. Role Model and Inspiring Influence

A. Examine the qualities that make Ronaldo a role model for millions – This section will analyze the characteristics and qualities that make Cristiano Ronaldo a role model to millions of fans.

B. Discuss his dedication, work ethic, and leadership skills – We will discuss Ronaldo’s dedication to his craft, his strong work ethic, and his exemplary leadership skills on and off the field.

C. Include inspiring anecdotes of how he has positively influenced others – Here, we will share inspiring stories and anecdotes of how Ronaldo’s actions have positively influenced and motivated others.

VI. Breaking Barriers and Overcoming Adversity

A. Touch upon Ronaldo’s determination to overcome obstacles – This section will highlight Cristiano Ronaldo’s resilience and determination to overcome challenges throughout his career.

B. Discuss instances where he faced criticism and how he handled it – We will explore instances where Ronaldo faced criticism or controversies and how he dealt with them in a positive manner.

C. Highlight his resilience and ability to bounce back stronger – Here, we will emphasize Ronaldo’s ability to bounce back from setbacks and emerge even stronger than before.

VII. Impact on Youth and Future Generations

A. Analyze Ronaldo’s influence on young footballers and aspiring athletes – This part will discuss how Cristiano Ronaldo’s success and character have inspired and influenced the younger generation of football players and athletes.

B. Discuss the importance of having positive role models in sports – We will elaborate on the significance of positive role models like Ronaldo in shaping the values and aspirations of young sports enthusiasts.

C. Share stories of individuals who have been inspired by Ronaldo’s journey – In this section, we will share personal stories of individuals who have been deeply inspired by Ronaldo’s journey and achievements.

VIII. Cultural and Social Impact

A. Examine how Ronaldo’s popularity transcends borders and cultures – This section will explore how Cristiano Ronaldo’s popularity extends beyond the football realm and resonates with people from diverse cultures worldwide.

B. Discuss his impact on pop culture, fashion, and endorsements – Here, we will delve into Ronaldo’s influence on pop culture, his fashion choices, and his successful endorsements.

C. Highlight his social media presence and engagement with fans – We will discuss Ronaldo’s active presence on social media and his interactions with fans, contributing to his global reach.

IX. Conclusion

A. Summarize the key points of Ronaldo’s impact beyond football – In the conclusion, we will summarize the main points discussed throughout the blog post, emphasizing Ronaldo’s profound impact beyond the football field.

B. Emphasize the significance of his role model status on a global scale – We will underscore the importance of Ronaldo’s role model status and its far-reaching influence on a global scale.

C. Encourage readers to draw inspiration from his journey and make a positive impact in their own lives and communities.

…⚽|Cristiano Ronaldo|⚽…

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Cristiano Ronaldo finds happiness at Al-Nassr in the twilight years of his career

I n a heartwarming display of joy and happiness, Cristiano Ronaldo , the legendary Portuguese footballer, recently shared a glimpse of his life in Saudi Arabia with fans worldwide, reported by GOAL. The 39-year-old superstar, now gracing the fields of Al-Nassr , took to Instagram to express his delight ahead of their upcoming clash against Damac in the Saudi Pro League.

In the captivating Instagram post, Ronaldo radiates joy, his trademark smile lighting up the frame as he holds his phone, standing next to a prominent Saudi Arabian flag. The caption “Happy days” accompanied by a green heart emoji exudes positivity, reflecting Ronaldo’s upbeat mood as he embraces life in his new environment.

Since his move to Al-Nassr last year, Ronaldo has found himself comfortably settled in Saudi Arabia. Adapting seamlessly to his new surroundings, the footballing icon has become a cherished figure among fans and teammates alike. Ronaldo’s presence has not only brought immense joy to the Al-Nassr faithful but has also inspired his fellow players with his unparalleled talent and passion for the beautiful game. Ronaldo is known for his crazy training routines and determined style, but he seems to find joy in the twilight years of his career. Ronaldo’s relaxed demeanor shows how he still enjoys the game he played his whole life, but don’t worry, he is not slowing down.

Despite nearing the age of 40, Ronaldo shows no signs of slowing down. His performance on the pitch continues to defy expectations, with an astonishing record of 42 goals in 41 games for Al-Nassr this season alone. Ronaldo’s enduring brilliance extends beyond club football, as he consistently shines for his national team, Portugal, captivating audiences around the world with his remarkable skill and dedication.

What’s next for Cristiano Ronaldo and Al-Nassr?

As Ronaldo and Al-Nassr gear up for their crucial clash against Damac, they face a pivotal moment in their season. Sitting second in the Saudi Pro League, they aim to secure a crucial victory to maintain their position in the standings and keep their title aspirations alive. However, their journey doesn’t end there, as they prepare for a highly anticipated showdown against Al-Hilal in the semi-finals of the Saudi Super Cup. With Ronaldo leading the charge, Al-Nassr is poised to face their toughest opponents with determination and strength.

As Ronaldo continues to thrive at Al-Nassr, fans eagerly await seeing more moments of brilliance from the footballing icon. His unwavering commitment to excellence and infectious positivity serve as a light of inspiration for aspiring athletes and fans worldwide. With each match, Ronaldo’s legacy grows stronger, leaving a forever mark on the world of football. As he embarks on new challenges and adventures, one thing remains certain: Cristiano Ronaldo’s “happy days” are far from over, and his journey continues to captivate the hearts of millions around the globe.

The post Cristiano Ronaldo finds happiness at Al-Nassr in the twilight years of his career appeared first on ClutchPoints .