Cristiano Ronaldo Arrival
The all-time top scorer for Real Madrid with 450 goals and four Champions League titles.
Cristiano Ronaldo is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a forward for and captains both the Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr and the Portugal national team. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers in history, and his individual achievements include five Ballon d'Or awards. In recognition of his record-breaking goalscoring, Ronaldo received the special awards Outstanding Career Achievement from FIFA in 2021 and Champions League All-Time Top Scorer from UEFA in 2023.
- Role
- Forward / Winger
- Transfer Year
- 2009
- Departure Year
- 2018
- Club Record
- All-Time Top Scorer
- Champions League Titles
- 4
- La Liga Titles
- 2
Lore & Background
Ronaldo transferred to Real Madrid in 2009 for £80 million, the most expensive transfer in history at the time. He spent nine seasons with Madrid, winning four Champions League titles and becoming the club's top goalscorer with 450 goals. Tensions with the Real Madrid hierarchy resulted in Ronaldo joining Juventus in 2018 for €112 million (with additional add-ons).
In Their Own Story
The floodlights hummed against the night sky above the Santiago Bernabéu, casting long shadows over the pristine grass. It was summer 2009, and the air buzzed with anticipation far beyond usual levels. Cristiano Ronaldo stepped onto the pitch for his presentation, wearing the crisp white kit that felt heavier than cotton under the weight of expectation. He raised the number seven shirt high, the fabric catching the glare of a thousand cameras. In that moment, the roar of the crowd wasn't just noise; it was a pact. The boy from Madeira had arrived to conquer Europe in white.
Reader's Guide
Ronaldo's time at Real Madrid is marked by his record as the club's all-time top goalscorer with 450 goals and four Champions League titles.
Did You Know?
- Ronaldo is the all-time top male goalscorer in international football with 146 goals.
- He is history's most-capped male player with more than 200 caps for Portugal.
- Ronaldo led Portugal to their first major title at UEFA Euro 2016 and also won the inaugural UEFA Nations League in 2019.
More in Club History & Eras
Elsewhere in the Real Madrid universe
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