Cristiano Ronaldo is a professional soccer player who has set records while playing for Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, Al Nassr, and the Portuguese national team.
Who Is Cristiano Ronaldo?
Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro is a Portuguese soccer superstar. By 2003 — when he was just 16 years old — Manchester United paid £12 million (over $14 million U.S. dollars) to sign him, a record fee for a player of his age.
In the 2004 FA Cup final, Ronaldo scored Manchester’s first three goals and helped them capture the championship. He set a franchise record for goals scored in 2008, before Real Madrid paid a record $131 million for his services the following year.
Among his many accomplishments, he has won a record-tying five Ballon d’Or awards for player of the year, and led Portugal to an emotional victory in the 2016 European Championship. In July 2018, CR7 embarked on a new phase of his career by signing with Italian Serie A club Juventus.
Cr7 Profile Summary
- Full Name: Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro
- Gender: Male
- Date of Birth: February 5, 1985
- Zodiac Sign: Aquarius
- Place of Birth: Funchal, Madeira, Portugal
- Nationality: Portuguese
- Ethnicity: Caucasian
- Hair Color: Dark Brown
- Eye Color: Hazel
- Famous For: Professional Soccer Player
- Jersey Number: 7 (most commonly)
- Occupation: Professional Soccer Player
- Current Club: Al Nassr
- Children: Four (Cristiano Jr., twins via surrogate, and Alana Martina)
- Partner: Georgina Rodriguez
Cristiano Ronaldo Honours
- Al Nassr
- Saudi Pro League: 2022–23
- Saudi Super Cup: 2023
- Portugal
- UEFA European Championship: 2016
- UEFA Nations League: 2018–19
- Individual
- Ballon d’Or: 2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017
- FIFA World Player of the Year: 2008
- The Best FIFA Men’s Player: 2016, 2017
- UEFA Best Player in Europe Award: 2014, 2016, 2017
- European Golden Shoe: 2007–08, 2010–11, 2013–14, 2014–15
- PFA Players’ Player of the Year: 2006–07, 2007–08
- FWA Footballer of the Year: 2006–07, 2007–08
- UEFA Champions League Top Scorer: 2007–08, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18
- La Liga Best Player: 2013–14
- Serie A Most Valuable Player: 2018–19
- Saudi Pro League Player of the Month: February 2023, March 2023
Ronaldo Career Highlights
- Manchester United (2003-2009)
- Scored 42 goals in the 2007-08 season.
- Won the UEFA Champions League in 2008.
- Secured three Premier League titles.
- Real Madrid (2009-2018)
- Became the club’s all-time top scorer.
- Won four UEFA Champions League titles.
- Scored over 450 goals in 438 appearances.
- Juventus (2018-2021)
- Won two Serie A titles.
- Named Serie A Most Valuable Player (2018-19).
- Portugal National Team
- Captained Portugal to win the UEFA European Championship in 2016.
- Became the all-time top scorer for the national team.
- Al Nassr (2022-Present)
- Scored crucial goals and helped the team in domestic competitions.
- Brought global attention to the Saudi Pro League.
- Won the Arab Club Champions Cup title in the 2022-23 season.
- Won Saudi Pro League Golden Boot in 2023-2024 season.
Cr7 Early Life
Ronaldo was born on February 5, 1985, in Funchal, Madeira, Portugal, a small island off the western coast of the country. Ronaldo is the youngest of four children born to Maria Dolores dos Santos and José Dinis Aveiro. He was named after Ronald Reagan, one of his father’s favorite actors.
CR7 grew up in a largely working-class neighborhood in a small tin-roofed home that overlooked the ocean. He was introduced to the game of soccer through his dad, who worked as an equipment manager at a boy’s club.
His early life was shaped by hardship, as his father often drank too much. To help keep the children fed and maintain some financial stability, Ronaldo’s mother worked as a cook and cleaning person.
In 2005, when Ronaldo was playing for Manchester United, his father died from alcohol-related kidney problems; in 2007, his mother struggled with breast cancer. The former was especially hard for Ronaldo since he and his dad had been close. The young athlete had often pushed for his father to enter rehab and address his drinking. His father, however, never accepted the offer.
By the time he was 10 years old, Ronaldo was already recognized as a phenomenon — a kid who ate, slept, and drank soccer. “All he wanted to do as a boy was play football,” his godfather, Fernao Sousa, recalled for British reporters, adding, “He loved the game so much he’d miss meals or escape out of his bedroom window with a ball when he was supposed to be doing his homework.”
By his early teens, Ronaldo’s talent and legend had grown considerably. After a stint with Nacional da liha da Madeira, he signed with Sporting Portugal in 2001.
His Soccer Career
Ronaldo in Manchester United (2003-2009)
In 2001, when Ronaldo was just 16 years old, Manchester United paid more than £12 million to sign him — a record fee for a player of his age.
Ronaldo had turned heads with a mesmerizing performance with Portugal against Manchester, wowing even his opponents with his footwork and deft skill. He made such an impression that a number of United players asked their manager to try and sign the young player, which the team soon did.
CR7 did not disappoint the soccer world: He showed his promise early on in the 2004 FA Cup final, scoring the team’s first three goals and helping them capture the championship. In 2007, Ronaldo signed a five-year, £31 million contract.
A year later, Ronaldo again justified his high salary when he put together one of the club’s finest seasons in history, setting a franchise record for goals scored (42), and earning himself the FIFA World Player of the Year honor for 2008. In all, Ronaldo helped steer Manchester United to three premier league titles.
Cristiano Ronaldo in Real Madrid (2009-2018)
In 2009, the Spanish soccer club Real Madrid agreed to pay Manchester United a record $131 million for the chance to sign Ronaldo. Ronaldo’s commitment to Manchester United had come under constant question, and speculation swirled that he wanted to play elsewhere, so nobody was all that surprised to see Ronaldo leave.
“I know that they are going to demand a lot of me to be successful at the club and I know that I’m going to have much more pressure than at Manchester United because I was there for many years,” Ronaldo told reporters. “But it means a new challenge and is going to help me be the best footballer.”
CR7 went on to compile an impressive list of individual honors and team trophies. In December 2016, he won his fourth Ballon d’Or award as the sport’s player of the year, beating out FC Barcelona’s Lionel Messi.
Ronaldo’s 2016 wins included the European Championship, Champions League and Club World Cup, plus individual awards from UEFA and France Football magazine. The following year, he claimed a fifth Ballon d’Or to tie the mark held by his longtime rival, Messi.
Cristiano Ronaldo Juventus (2018-2021)
After dropping hints that his time with Real was coming to an end, Ronaldo confirmed the rumors in July 2018 by signing with Italian Serie A club Juventus, which paid a $140 million transfer fee to his old Spanish club.
Ronaldo paid tribute to Real fans in an open letter on the club’s website, writing: “These years at Real Madrid and in this city of Madrid have quite possibly been the happiest years of my life. I only have feelings of great gratitude to this club, to the fans and to the city. I can only give thanks to all of them for the love and affection that I have received.”
By most measures, Ronaldo’s debut season with Juventus was a successful one. He scored 10 times in his first 14 games, and headed home the lone goal in a win over AC Milan for the Supercoppa Italiana trophy. After leading his club to its eighth consecutive Serie A title, he was named the league’s MVP in May 2019.
Cr7 Return to Manchester United (2021-2022)
On August 27, 2021, it was announced that Ronaldo would return to Manchester United.
Cristiano Ronaldo made a sensational return to Manchester United in the summer of 2021, bringing excitement and high expectations. During his time at Old Trafford, he demonstrated his enduring quality and goal-scoring prowess.
- Premier League: 30 appearances, 18 goals, 3 assists
- Champions League: 7 appearances, 6 goals, 1 assist
- Hat-Tricks: Notably, a hat-trick against Tottenham Hotspur on March 12, 2022
Ronaldo’s impact was felt immediately, with several match-winning goals and critical performances, particularly in the Champions League where his goals were crucial for United’s progression.
2022-2023 Season Before Departure
- Premier League: 10 appearances, 1 goal
- Europa League: 6 appearances, 2 goals
Despite a slower start to the 2022-2023 season, Ronaldo continued to contribute in European competitions. However, his time at Manchester United was cut short.
Departure and Legacy
On November 22, 2022, Ronaldo and Manchester United mutually agreed to terminate his contract. He then moved to Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia.
In total, Ronaldo made 54 appearances during his second spell at Manchester United, scoring 27 goals and providing 4 assists. His return, though brief, was marked by moments of brilliance and unforgettable goals that reminded fans of his legendary status.
Ronaldo in Al Nassr (2022-Present)
In December 2022, Cristiano Ronaldo made headlines by signing with Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr. The move was seen as a significant shift in his career, bringing his experience and star power to the Saudi Pro League.
Ronaldo quickly made an impact at Al Nassr, scoring crucial goals and helping the team in domestic competitions. His presence has not only elevated the team’s performance but also brought global attention to the league.
Portugal National Team
On July 10, 2016, Ronaldo added an emotional victory to his collection. As his national team’s captain, Ronaldo led Portugal to the European Championship final against France.
Although he was sidelined after suffering a knee injury 25 minutes into the match, Portugal went on to win the championship title 1-0, their first international trophy. Ronaldo’s teammates said that he motivated them as team captain from the sidelines.
“He gave us a lot of confidence and he said, ‘Listen people, I’m sure we will win this Euro so stay together and fight for it,’” fullback Cedric Soares said after Portugal’s victory.
“This is one of the happiest moments in my career,” Ronaldo commented. ”I’ve always said I wanted to win a trophy with the national team and make history. And I did it. Thank God, things went well for us.”
Ronaldo got off to a tremendous start at the 2018 World Cup, blasting home three goals in an opening draw vs. Spain, before adding another vs. Morocco to set a European record with his 85th international goal.
However, he was held scoreless in a 2-1 loss to Uruguay in the knockout stage, after which he declined to comment on his future with the national team.
Cr7 Personal Life
Ronaldo is dating the Spanish model Georgina Rodriguez; the couple was first seen together publicly around November 2016.
In June 2017, the couple welcomed twins, a boy and a girl, via a surrogate. In November 2017, Rodriguez added to their family with the birth of another girl.
Ronaldo’s first child, Cristiano Jr., was born to a former girlfriend in June 2010.
Cristiano Ronaldo Statue at the Madeira Airport
In March 2017, self-taught sculptor Emanuel Santos unveiled a bronze bust of Ronaldo at the airport in Ronaldo’s hometown of Madeira, Portugal. The statue was ridiculed for its sinister smile and apparent lack of likeness to its subject, though Santos didn’t seem to understand the uproar.
“I asked [Ronaldo] what he thought of the result and he said he liked it,” said Santos. “He only asked for some wrinkles that give him a certain expression to his face when he laughs to be changed. He said it made him look older and asked for it to be thinned out a bit to make it smoother and more jovial.”
In the wake of the negative publicity, the sports site Bleacher Report commissioned Santos to fashion another sculpture of Ronaldo. This one, unveiled in March 2018, earned praise for more closely resembling the soccer great, though its creator continued to defend his original work.
“I liked the result [of the first bust] and was really proud of it,” he told Bleacher Report. “And if I had to do it again, I would make everything exactly the same.”
Sexual Assault Investigation
In 2018, police in Las Vegas, Nevada, reopened a nine-year-old investigation into claims that Ronaldo had raped a woman in his hotel room. The accuser also filed a civil lawsuit against the star athlete.
In response, Ronaldo issued a statement saying he strongly denied the allegations. “Rape is an abominable crime that goes against everything that I am and believe in,” he said. “Keen as I may be to clear my name, I refuse to feed the media spectacle created by people seeking to promote themselves at my expense.”
Ronaldo’s sponsored Nike and video game company EA Sports also expressed concern about the allegations, and the forward missed time from the national team during the investigation. In January 2019, Ronaldo agreed to pay a $21 million fine for defrauding the Spanish government of taxes between 2010 and 2014.
Ronaldo Net Worth
As of 2024, Cristiano Ronaldo’s net worth is estimated to be around $500 million. His wealth comes from his earnings as a professional soccer player, endorsement deals, and business ventures.
FAQs
Q1: What is Cristiano Ronaldo’s full name?
- A1: Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro.
Q2: When was Cristiano Ronaldo born?
- A2: February 5, 1985.
Q3: What jersey number does Ronaldo typically wear?
- A3: Ronaldo is most commonly associated with the number 7.
Q4: Which clubs has Cristiano Ronaldo played for?
- A4: Sporting CP, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, and Manchester United (current).
Q5: How many Ballon d’Or awards has Ronaldo won?
- A5: Ronaldo has won the Ballon d’Or five times (2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017).
Q6: What notable international titles has Ronaldo won with Portugal?
- A6: UEFA European Championship (2016) and UEFA Nations League (2018-19).
Q7: Who is Cristiano Ronaldo’s partner?
- A7: Georgina Rodriguez.
Q8: How many children does Cristiano Ronaldo have?
- A8: Ronaldo has four children: Cristiano Jr., twins via surrogate, and Alana Martina.
Q9: What is Cristiano Ronaldo’s estimated net worth?
- A9: As of 2024, his net worth is estimated to be around $500 million.
Q10: Has Ronaldo faced any legal issues?
- A10: Yes, Ronaldo has faced legal issues, including a reopened sexual assault investigation in 2018 and a tax fraud case for which he paid a $21 million fine in 2019.
