Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano 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.

Sporting 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.

Portugal National Team

• Ronaldo made his debut for Portugal in 2003.
• He helped Portugal win the UEFA European Championship in 2016 and the UEFA Nations League in 2019.
• Ronaldo is Portugal's all-time top scorer and has the most appearances for the national team.

• Ronaldo primarily plays as a forward but also excels as a winger.
• He is known for his incredible speed, strength, aerial ability, and goal-scoring prowess. Ronaldo's versatility, powerful shots, and heading ability are celebrated.

• Ronaldo has four children and is in a relationship with Georgina Rodríguez.
• He is involved in various charitable activities and has made significant donations to children's hospitals, cancer research, and disaster relief efforts.

• The player Cristiano Ronaldo is celebrated not only for his extraordinary talent and numerous records but also for his work ethic, determination, and longevity in professional football. His impact on the sport and his status as an icon extend beyond the pitch, inspiring millions of fans around the world.

Most Goals in UEFA Champions League:

• Over 130 goals

Most Goals in International Competitions:

• Over 115 goals

Most Goals for Real Madrid:

• Over 450 goals

Most Appearances and Goals for Portugal:

• Most capped player and top scorer

Books

• 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

• BBC Sport: Cristiano Ronaldo: Career in numbers. Available at: https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/48839800
• The Guardian: Cristiano Ronaldo’s career highlights and records. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/football/cristiano-ronaldo

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