Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro
Personal Information
Physical Attributes
Family Members
Social Media
Location Information
Additional Information
Biography
Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro
Cristiano Ronaldo, often considered one of the greatest footballers of all time, is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a forward for and captains both Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr and the Portugal national team. Born on February 5, 1985, in Funchal, Madeira, Portugal, Ronaldo has achieved unprecedented success throughout his career, winning numerous individual and team awards.
Early Life and Background
Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro was born in the São Pedro parish of Funchal, the capital of the Portuguese island of Madeira. He is the youngest child of Maria Dolores dos Santos Aveiro, a cook, and José Dinis Aveiro, a municipal gardener and part-time kit man. Ronaldo was named after then-U.S. president Ronald Reagan, whom his father admired. He grew up in a largely working-class neighborhood in a small tin-roofed house that overlooked the ocean.
Ronaldo's early life was marked by hardship. His father was an alcoholic who died in 2005 from kidney failure, and his mother worked hard to provide for the family. Despite these challenges, Ronaldo showed exceptional talent for football from a very young age. He played for amateur team Andorinha from age 7-8, where his father was the kit man, before moving to Nacional.
Club Career
Sporting CP (2002-2003)
Ronaldo joined Sporting CP's youth academy at age 12. He made his senior debut in 2002 and impressed with his skills, attracting attention from top European clubs.
Manchester United (2003-2009)
Sir Alex Ferguson signed Ronaldo for £12.24 million in 2003. He developed into one of the world's best players, winning 3 Premier League titles, 1 Champions League, and his first Ballon d'Or in 2008.
Real Madrid (2009-2018)
Ronaldo's world-record €94 million transfer to Real Madrid made him the most expensive player at the time. At Madrid, he became the club's all-time top scorer with 450 goals, won 4 Champions League titles, and 4 more Ballon d'Or awards.
Juventus (2018-2021)
Ronaldo joined Juventus for €100 million, winning 2 Serie A titles and becoming the first player to win league titles in England, Spain, and Italy.
Return to Manchester United (2021-2022)
Ronaldo returned to Manchester United in 2021, scoring 24 goals in his first season back. However, his second season was marked by controversy before his contract was terminated.
Al Nassr (2023-Present)
In January 2023, Ronaldo signed with Saudi club Al Nassr in a deal reportedly worth over €200 million per year, making him the highest-paid athlete in the world.
Club Statistics
| Club | Years | Appearances | Goals | Assists | Major Honors |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sporting CP | 2002-2003 | 31 | 5 | 6 | 0 |
| Manchester United | 2003-2009 | 292 | 118 | 69 | 9 |
| Real Madrid | 2009-2018 | 438 | 450 | 131 | 16 |
| Juventus | 2018-2021 | 134 | 101 | 22 | 5 |
| Manchester United | 2021-2022 | 54 | 27 | 5 | 0 |
| Al Nassr | 2023-Present | 50 | 44 | 13 | 2 |
| Total | 2002-Present | 999 | 745 | 246 | 32 |
International Career
Cristiano Ronaldo made his international debut for Portugal in August 2003 at age 18. Since then, he has become Portugal's most capped player and all-time top scorer. Some key moments in his international career include:
- 2004: Reached the final of Euro 2004 with Portugal, scoring in the semifinal
- 2016: Captained Portugal to victory in Euro 2016, their first major international trophy
- 2019: Won the UEFA Nations League with Portugal
- 2021: Became the all-time leading goalscorer in men's international football
- 2022: Scored in his fifth consecutive World Cup, a first in men's football
International Statistics
| Competition | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| FIFA World Cup | 22 | 8 | 2 |
| UEFA European Championship | 25 | 14 | 9 |
| UEFA Nations League | 6 | 5 | 0 |
| FIFA Confederations Cup | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| World Cup Qualifiers | 47 | 36 | 13 |
| European Qualifiers | 35 | 31 | 11 |
| Friendlies | 51 | 20 | 11 |
| Total | 200 | 128 | 47 |
Personal Life
Family
Ronaldo has been in a relationship with Spanish model Georgina Rodríguez since 2016. He is the father of five children:
| Name | Birth Year | Mother |
|---|---|---|
| Cristiano Ronaldo Jr. | 2010 | Surrogate (identity undisclosed) |
| Eva Maria Dos Santos | 2017 | Georgina Rodríguez |
| Mateo Ronaldo | 2017 | Surrogate (identity undisclosed) |
| Alana Martina dos Santos Aveiro | 2017 | Georgina Rodríguez |
| Bella Esmeralda | 2022 | Georgina Rodríguez |
Tragically, Ronaldo and Rodríguez lost one of their twins, a baby boy, during childbirth in April 2022, while the surviving twin was Bella Esmeralda.
Philanthropy and Business Ventures
Beyond football, Ronaldo is known for his philanthropy and business acumen:
- Donated €1.5 million to fund pediatric cancer centers in Portugal
- Gave €100,000 to help Madeira after floods in 2010
- Paid for a 10-year-old boy's brain surgery in 2017
- Raised funds for COVID-19 relief efforts
- Owns the CR7 brand, including hotels, gyms, underwear, fragrances, and a museum
- Has lifetime endorsement deals with Nike worth over $1 billion
Playing Style and Legacy
Cristiano Ronaldo is renowned for his incredible athleticism, goal-scoring prowess, and versatility. His playing style has evolved throughout his career:
Physical Attributes
- Height: 1.87m (6'2")
- Weight: 85kg (187lbs)
- Vertical jump: 78cm (30.7 inches)
- Top speed: 33.6 km/h (20.9 mph)
Technical Skills
- Exceptional heading ability
- Powerful shooting with both feet
- Deadly free-kick technique
- Clinical penalty taking
Mental Attributes
- Extraordinary work ethic
- Competitive mentality
- Leadership qualities
- Clutch performer
Ronaldo's rivalry with Lionel Messi has defined football for over a decade. While Messi is often praised for his natural talent, Ronaldo is celebrated for his relentless dedication to self-improvement and physical conditioning.
Records and Achievements
Cristiano Ronaldo holds numerous records in football:
| Record | Details |
|---|---|
| Most international goals | 128 goals for Portugal (as of 2023) |
| Most Champions League goals | 140 goals (as of 2023) |
| Most Champions League appearances | 183 matches (as of 2023) |
| Most Champions League assists | 42 assists (as of 2023) |
| Only player to score in 5 World Cups | 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022 |
| Real Madrid's all-time top scorer | 450 goals in 438 matches |
| Most goals in a single Champions League season | 17 goals (2013-14) |
| Most hat-tricks in Champions League | 8 hat-tricks |
| Only player to win league titles in England, Spain, and Italy | Premier League, La Liga, Serie A |
Individual Awards
- 5 Ballon d'Or awards (2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017)
- 4 European Golden Shoes
- 3 UEFA Best Player in Europe awards
- 3 FIFA Best Men's Player awards
- 1 FIFA Puskás Award (for best goal of the year)
- 14 times in FIFA FIFPro World11 (record)
- IFFHS World's Best Top Division Goalscorer (6 times)
Controversies
Despite his success, Ronaldo's career has not been without controversy:
- In 2009, he was accused of rape by Kathryn Mayorga in Las Vegas. He denied the allegations and no criminal charges were filed, but he settled a civil case in 2019.
- He has been criticized for his temperament on the pitch, including pushing a referee in 2017.
- His tax fraud case in Spain resulted in a €18.8 million fine in 2019.
- His controversial interview with Piers Morgan in 2022 led to his departure from Manchester United.
- He has been accused of being selfish on the pitch, though his assist numbers contradict this.
Conclusion
Cristiano Ronaldo's journey from a poor boy in Madeira to one of the most famous and successful athletes in history is a testament to his extraordinary talent, relentless work ethic, and unshakable self-belief. His impact on football is immeasurable, inspiring millions worldwide with his dedication to excellence. Even as he enters the twilight of his career in Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo continues to break records and push the boundaries of what's possible in football.
Whether you admire him for his achievements or criticize him for his flaws, Cristiano Ronaldo remains one of the most fascinating figures in sports history - a true global icon whose legacy will endure long after he retires from the game.