Cristiano Ronaldo

One of the greatest footballers of all time, known for his record-breaking goalscoring and five Ballon d'Or awards.

Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro (born 5 February 1985) is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a forward for and captains the Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr and the Portugal national team. Nicknamed CR7, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in history, having won numerous individual accolades throughout his career including five Ballon d'Or awards, a record three UEFA Men's Player of the Year Awards, and four European Golden Shoes. He was named the world's best player five times by FIFA.

Quick Facts

Full name: Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro
Born: 5 February 1985
Birthplace: Funchal, Madeira, Portugal
Position: Forward
Current club: Al-Nassr

Lore & Background

Ronaldo is one of the most decorated players in the history of professional football, having won 35 trophies in his career, including five UEFA Champions Leagues, two UEFA Nations Leagues and the UEFA European Championship. He holds the records for most goals (140) and assists (42) in the Champions League, most goals (14) and assists (8) in the European Championship, most international appearances (233), most men's international goals (146), and most international victories (141). He is the only player to have scored 100 goals with four different clubs and to finish as top scorer in four different domestic leagues. He has made over 1,300 professional career appearances, the most by an outfield player, and has scored over 970 official senior career goals for club and country, making him the top goalscorer of all time.

Reader's Guide

Born in Funchal, Madeira, Ronaldo began his career with Sporting CP before signing with Manchester United in 2003. He gradually established himself as an integral player for the club, winning three consecutive Premier League titles, the 2007–08 Champions League, and the 2008 FIFA Club World Cup. For his performances in 2007–08, Ronaldo was awarded his first Ballon d'Or at age 23. In 2009, he joined Real Madrid in a deal worth €94 million (£80 million), which was the most expensive transfer in history at the time.

He was at the forefront of Madrid's resurgence as a dominant European force, helping them win four Champions Leagues between 2014 and 2018, including the long-awaited La Décima in 2014, where he set the record for most goals scored in a Champions League season. With Madrid, he also won two La Liga titles, won the Ballon d'Or in 2013, 2014, 2016, and 2017, and became the club's all-time top goalscorer.