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Cristiano Ronaldo is arguably one of the greatest players ever to grace the football pitch. He has won the FIFA best player award 4 times and the European golden boot a record 4 times. He is a versatile football player capable of playing in any of the 4 attacking roles as a center forward, winger on both sides or as a second striker. He plays for the Spanish side Real Madrid and Portugal national football team. Here are some of the interesting facts about Cristiano Ronaldo.
Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro was born in Funchal, Madeira, Portugal in 5 February 1985. He was the youngest child of the family. He was named after the famous US president Ronald Reagan. His siblings include one elder brother and two elder sisters.
He was diagnosed with a condition racing heart which could have made him to quit football completely. However after an operation, he was discharged the same day and he resumed training just days later.
He quit his studies completely at the age of 14 and focused solely on his football after advice from his mother.
He was nicknamed “cry baby” as a kid as he used to break down at the smallest of occasion.
He joined Sporting Lisbon at the age of 12 and played there until he joined Manchester United in 2003.
He impressed the Manchester United players in a friendly at the inauguration of the Sporting stadium Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon and United players rallied behind their manager to sign the teenager.
Sir Alex Ferguson who was the manager of Manchester United was also greatly impressed and he signed the forward for £12 million.
He was handed the legendary number 7 at Manchester United and he took it as a challenge to live up to the great players who had graced the number 7 shirt at United.
He made his competitive debut against Bolton Wanderers in a 4-0 victory appearing as a substitute. His debut was praised all over with George Best saying it was the best debut he had ever seen.
He made his mark at Manchester United and developed from the skinny, show boating player to the complete forward. His work ethic and dedication was the main reason for his rise to the most complete forward.
Soon goals started to follow. He scored a record 42 goals during the 2007-08 season at Manchester United. The same year he won the FIFA world player award and Ballon D’Or.
His performances drew attention from Real Madrid who wanted to sign him after 2007-08 season. However Sir Alex convinced him to stay for another year and later United sold him to Real Madrid for then record £80 million. He had won 9 major titles during his time at United.
Around 80,000 people attended his presentation at Real Madrid eclipsing 75,000 for Diego Maradona at Napoli.
At Real Madrid, he was deployed mainly in a free role along the forward line. He turned himself into a devastating goalscorer at Real Madrid. He was almost certain to score every match and the only player to compete was Lionel Messi playing for Real’s rivals Barcelona.
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo share a unique rivalry. They have won the FIFA World player world since 2008 with Messi winning 5 to Ronaldo’s 4.
Since joining Real Madrid he averages a goal per game and is currently Real’s record goalscorer.
In the trophy department, he has won almost all there is to win be it individual or collective awards during his time at Manchester United or Real Madrid.
He is also a big game player. He has scored in a FA Cup final, Champions League final, Copa Del Rey final and Club World Cup final.
Internationally, he has won the European Championship at 2014. He also featured in the 2004 European Championship that Portugal lost to Greece in the finals.
He is also the brand ambassador of Emporio Armani men’s underwear and jeans, and Nike. He has also signed other sponsorships from Coca-Cola, Castrol, Konami, Banco Espirito Santo, Motorola, Jacob & Co., Herbalife, KFC, Tag Heuer and Fly Emirates.
His net worth is calculated to be around $250 million.
He is also the winner of the inaugural FIFA Puskas award for best goal for his screaming effort against Porto.
He does not drink because his father passed away from alcoholism related liver damage. He also doesn’t smoke or have any tattoos on his body as he donates blood regularly.
His free kick speed is about 13.1 kmph, which is compared roughly with the speed of a space shuttle while launching.
He also has his own museum named Museu CR7 in his hometown Funchal, Portugal, which contains his trophies, rare photographs, medals and memorabilia.
He has his own wax figure at Madame Tussauds London.
His autobiography named Moments was published in December 2007 and his movie named Ronaldo was released in 2015.
