Cristiano Ronaldo Arrival
Cristiano Ronaldo: Real Madrid's four-time Champions League winner and all-time top scorer.
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 2024.
Quick Facts
- Champions league titles
- 3
Lore & Background
Ronaldo was a member of Sporting CP's youth academy and joined the first team in 2002. Manchester United signed him for £12 million in 2003, an England record for a teenager. After evolving into a world class attacker, 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 €100 million, where he went on to win all the major honours in Italian football. He returned to Manchester United in 2021, before signing with the Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr in 2023, reportedly receiving the highest football salary in history. His transfer helped the Saudi Pro League attract other high-profile players.
Reader's Guide
Ronaldo made his international debut for Portugal in 2003 at the age of 18. He has earned more than 200 caps, making him history's most-capped male player. He has played in six FIFA World Cups, five UEFA European Championships, and two UEFA Nations Leagues. With 146 international goals, he is the all-time top male goalscorer. He assumed captaincy of Portugal in 2008, and in 2015 was named the best Portuguese player of all time by the Portuguese Football Federation. He led Portugal to their first major title with a victory at UEFA Euro 2016, and also led them to victory in the inaugural UEFA Nations League in 2019, where he received the top scorer award in the finals. At Euro 2020 he received the Golden Boot, and in 2024 he became the player with the most international victories in men's football.
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