SummaryCristiano Ronaldo is a Portuguese professional footballer, born on February 5, 1985, in Funchal, Madeira. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time. Ronaldo began his professional career with Sporting CP before moving to Manchester United in 2003, where he won multiple titles, including three Premier League titles and the UEFA Champions League.
Ronaldo is known for his incredible speed, strength, goal-scoring ability, and versatility. He has won numerous individual awards, including five Ballon d'Or titles, and holds multiple records, such as the most goals in UEFA Champions League history.
Off the field, Ronaldo is also recognized for his philanthropy and influence, making significant charitable contributions and inspiring millions worldwide.
CareerSporting Lisbon
- Ronaldo was born and raised in Madeira and moved to Lisbon to join Sporting Lisbon's youth academy. He made his first-team debut for Sporting in 2002.
Manchester United (first stint)
- Signing with Manchester United in 2003, Ronaldo developed into one of the world's best forwards under the guidance of Sir Alex Ferguson. He won three Premier League titles, a UEFA Champions League title, and his first Ballon d'Or in 2008.
Real Madrid
- In 2009, Ronaldo transferred to Real Madrid for a record-breaking fee. During his nine years there, he became the club's all-time top scorer and won numerous titles, including four Champions League trophies. At Real Madrid, Ronaldo won four of his five Ballon d'Or awards.
Juventus
- Ronaldo joined Juventus in 2018, seeking new challenges in Serie A. He added two Serie A titles to his collection and continued to break records during his time at Juventus.
Manchester United (second stint)
- Ronaldo returned to Manchester United in 2021, reuniting with the club where he had significant early success. Despite mixed team success, his individual performances remained strong.
Al Nassr
- In 2023, Ronaldo signed with Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, continuing his career into his late thirties with high expectations for success in a new league.
Awards and RecognitionMost Goals in UEFA Champions League:
Most Goals in International Competitions:
Most Goals for Real Madrid:
Most Appearances and Goals for Portugal:
- Most capped player and top scorer
ReferencesBooks
- Balague, G. (2015) Cristiano Ronaldo: The Biography. London: Orion Publishing Group.
- Caioli, L. (2018) Cristiano Ronaldo: The Rise of a Winner. New York: Icon Books.
Websites
- FIFA: Information about Cristiano Ronaldo’s international career and achievements. Available at: https://www.fifa.com
- Manchester United: Details about Ronaldo’s career at Manchester United. Available at: https://www.manutd.com
- Real Madrid: Official site with updates on Ronaldo’s performance and records at Real Madrid. Available at: https://www.realmadrid.com
- Juventus: Official site with updates on Ronaldo’s achievements at Juventus. Available at: https://www.juventus.com
- UEFA: Updates and records of Ronaldo in UEFA competitions. Available at: https://www.uefa.com
Articles
Interviews and Documentaries
- Ronaldo (2015): Directed by Anthony Wonke. This documentary provides a detailed look at Ronaldo’s life and career, featuring interviews with his family, friends, and colleagues.
- ESPN Interviews: Various interviews and features on Cristiano Ronaldo, covering different aspects of his career. Available at: https://www.espn.com