10 things you didn’t know about CRISTIANO RONALDO ⚽️
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Luisa🦄
- abril 20, 2025
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iturn0image1turn0image2turn0image4turn0image6Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro, born on February 5, 1985, in Funchal, Madeira, Portugal, is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time. Known for his exceptional goal-scoring ability, athleticism, and leadership, Ronaldo has achieved unparalleled success at both club and international levels. As of April 2025, he continues to play professionally for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia and captains the Portugal national team.
Early Life and Beginnings
Raised in a modest household, Ronaldo was the youngest of four children. His mother, Maria Dolores dos Santos Viveiros da Aveiro, worked as a cook and cleaning woman, while his father, José Dinis Aveiro, was a municipal gardener and part-time kit man for a local football club. Named after U.S. President Ronald Reagan, Ronaldo showed early promise in football, joining local club Andorinha at age seven and later moving to Nacional.
At 12, he relocated to Lisbon to join Sporting CP’s academy, marking the beginning of his professional journey.
Club Career
Sporting CP
Ronaldo’s professional debut came with Sporting CP in 2002, where his performances quickly caught the attention of top European clubs.
Manchester United (2003–2009)
In 2003, Ronaldo signed with Manchester United, becoming the first Portuguese player to join the club. Under Sir Alex Ferguson, he developed into a world-class talent, helping the team secure three consecutive Premier League titles (2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09), an FA Cup, two League Cups, and the 2007–08 UEFA Champions League. His individual accolades included his first Ballon d’Or in 2008.
Real Madrid (2009–2018)
Ronaldo transferred to Real Madrid in 2009 for a then-record €94 million. During his nine seasons, he became the club’s all-time leading scorer with 450 goals in 438 appearances. His tenure included four Champions League titles, two La Liga titles, and numerous individual awards, including four Ballon d’Ors.
Juventus (2018–2021)
In 2018, Ronaldo joined Juventus for €100 million. He won two Serie A titles and became the fastest player to reach 100 goals for the club.
Return to Manchester United (2021–2022)
Ronaldo returned to Manchester United in 2021, scoring 24 goals in his first season back. However, his second stint was marred by team struggles and managerial changes, leading to a mutual contract termination in late 2022.
Al-Nassr (2023–Present)
In January 2023, Ronaldo signed with Al-Nassr, reportedly receiving the highest football salary in history. He has continued his prolific form, contributing over 100 goal involvements and winning the Arab Club Champions Cup in 2023.
International Career
Ronaldo made his debut for Portugal in 2003 and has since become the most-capped male player with 219 appearances and the highest-scoring male international with 136 goals. He has represented Portugal in five FIFA World Cups and five UEFA European Championships.
His international achievements include winning Euro 2016 and the inaugural UEFA Nations League in 2019. He also received the Golden Boot as the top scorer of Euro 2020.
Personal Life
Ronaldo is in a long-term relationship with Spanish model Georgina Rodríguez. The couple has five children: Cristiano Jr., twins Eva Maria and Mateo, Alana Martina, and Bella. In 2022, they experienced the tragic loss of their newborn son, Angel.
Business Ventures and Philanthropy
Beyond football, Ronaldo has established a successful brand, CR7, encompassing fashion, fragrances, and hotels. He has also invested in various ventures, including a media company.
Ronaldo is known for his philanthropy, contributing to numerous causes and organizations worldwide.
Legacy
Cristiano Ronaldo’s impact on football is immeasurable. His dedication, discipline, and relentless pursuit of excellence have set new standards in the sport. As he continues to play at the highest level, his legacy as one of the greatest footballers in history remains firmly intact.
- He was named after Ronald Reagan.
His father was a fan of Ronald Reagan, the U.S. president and former actor, and chose “Ronaldo” as his middle name in his honor. - He had heart surgery at age 15.
Cristiano suffered from a racing heart condition and underwent surgery to correct it. He recovered quickly and returned to training just a few days later. - He doesn’t have any tattoos.
Unlike many footballers, Ronaldo has no tattoos so that he can donate blood regularly. - He is a blood and bone marrow donor.
Inspired by a teammate’s son who needed a transplant, Ronaldo became a regular bone marrow donor as well as a blood donor. - He does over 3,000 sit-ups per day.
Known for his incredible fitness, it’s said that he includes thousands of sit-ups in his daily training routine. - He jumps higher than most NBA players.
Ronaldo’s vertical leap reaches around 78 cm (30.7 inches), which surpasses many basketball professionals. - He once paid for a child’s brain surgery.
Ronaldo covered the full cost of a young fan’s brain operation, showing his generosity and commitment to charity. - His museum is dedicated to himself.
In Funchal, Madeira, there is a museum called “Museu CR7” that showcases his trophies, memorabilia, and achievements. - He was expelled from school at age 14.
He allegedly threw a chair at a teacher who disrespected him, leading his mother to support his decision to focus entirely on football. - He has a lifetime contract with Nike.
Ronaldo signed a rare lifetime endorsement deal with Nike worth over $1 billion, joining the ranks of athletes like Michael Jordan and LeBron James.
Football is more than just a game; it’s a passion, a way of life, and a language that unites the world
Cristiano Ronaldo: The Relentless Rise of a Football Legend
Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro was born on February 5, 1985, in Funchal, on the small Portuguese island of Madeira. The youngest of four children, he was raised in a humble home by his mother, Maria Dolores, a cook, and his father, José Dinis Aveiro, a municipal gardener and part-time kit man for a local football club.
Named “Ronaldo” after then-U.S. President Ronald Reagan, young Cristiano showed signs of being anything but ordinary. He was fast — impossibly fast — and completely obsessed with the game of football. While other children played casually, Cristiano played like he had something to prove.
From Island Dreams to Mainland Breakthroughs
By the age of 12, Cristiano left his family and moved to mainland Portugal to join the Sporting CP youth academy in Lisbon. It was a bold move for a child, driven by ambition, grit, and raw talent. But the road was not smooth. He struggled with homesickness and, at age 14, he nearly gave up school to focus entirely on football. Teachers saw him as hyperactive and easily distracted — but on the field, he was laser-focused.
At just 16 years old, he was promoted to Sporting’s first team, and it didn’t take long before the world started paying attention.
Manchester United: The First Transformation
In 2003, during a friendly match between Sporting CP and Manchester United, Cristiano dazzled so much that Sir Alex Ferguson made an unprecedented move — he signed the teenager immediately for £12.24 million. At just 18, Ronaldo became the first Portuguese player in Manchester United’s history and inherited the pressure that came with wearing the iconic #7 jersey, previously worn by legends like George Best, Eric Cantona, and David Beckham.
Between 2003 and 2009, Ronaldo evolved from a flashy winger into a goal-scoring machine. He won three Premier League titles, the FA Cup, two League Cups, and the 2008 UEFA Champions League. That same year, he won his first Ballon d’Or, confirming his arrival among football’s elite.
Real Madrid: The Galactic Era
In 2009, Cristiano Ronaldo made a record-breaking move to Real Madrid for €94 million, becoming the most expensive footballer in history at the time. The move wasn’t just about money — it was about legacy. And Ronaldo delivered.
During his 9-year tenure at Madrid, he:
- Scored 450 goals in 438 appearances, becoming the club’s all-time top scorer.
- Won 4 Champions League titles, including three consecutive titles from 2016 to 2018.
- Claimed 2 La Liga titles, 2 Copa del Rey, and multiple Super Cups.
- Secured 4 more Ballon d’Or awards, bringing his total to five by 2017.
His rivalry with Lionel Messi defined a footballing era — two GOATs pushing each other to unimaginable levels.
Juventus, Return to Manchester & Al-Nassr
In 2018, Ronaldo joined Juventus in Italy, where he continued to break records and win trophies, including two Serie A titles and the Italian Super Cup. He was named Serie A MVP and became the fastest player in club history to reach 100 goals.
In 2021, Ronaldo made an emotional return to Manchester United, scoring on his debut and rekindling the dreams of fans. But the club’s internal instability led to a turbulent season.
By late 2022, Ronaldo made another bold move — this time to the Middle East. He signed with Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, becoming the highest-paid footballer in the world and helping elevate the visibility of football in the region. Many critics questioned the move, but Ronaldo’s ambition to pioneer football globally remained undeterred.
International Glory
Cristiano Ronaldo is also a national hero. He made his debut for Portugal in 2003 and went on to:
- Win Euro 2016, Portugal’s first-ever major international title.
- Lift the UEFA Nations League trophy in 2019.
- Become the all-time leading international goal scorer with over 120 goals for his country.
- Appear in 5 World Cups, a feat only a few have matched.
His leadership, passion, and relentless pursuit of excellence have made him a symbol of Portuguese pride.
Off the Pitch
Off the field, Cristiano is known for his discipline, unmatched fitness regime, and business acumen. He owns a fashion brand, multiple hotels, gyms, and is one of the most-followed individuals on social media.
He is also deeply philanthropic — donating millions to children’s hospitals, disaster relief efforts, and paying for life-saving surgeries for fans.
Legacy: The Relentless One
Cristiano Ronaldo’s story is one of unbreakable willpower, relentless self-belief, and a constant hunger to improve. He didn’t just want to be good — he wanted to be the best. And in many ways, he succeeded.
Whether you see him as the greatest ever or not, one thing is beyond doubt:
Cristiano Ronaldo changed the game forever.
