Cristiano Ronaldo CR7

In this Portuguese naming convention, the first or maternal surname is dos Santos, while the second or paternal surname is Aveiro.

Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro, born on February 5, 1985, is a professional footballer from Portugal who plays as a forward for Al-Nassr and serves as the captain of the Portugal national team. He is widely acknowledged as one of the greatest football players in history, having received five Ballon d'Or awards, four European Golden Shoes, and more than 30 significant trophies, which include five UEFA Champions League titles and the UEFA Euro 2016.

Ronaldo commenced his professional career at Sporting CP, achieved international fame at Manchester United, and became the all-time leading scorer for Real Madrid, where he secured numerous championships. He subsequently played for Juventus, returned to Manchester United in 2021, and joined Al-Nassr in 2023, contributing to the enhancement of Saudi football's reputation.

On the international stage, he holds the record for the most appearances by a male player and is the leading international goalscorer, having participated in five World Cups and guided Portugal to triumph in Euro 2016 and the 2019 UEFA Nations League.

Beyond football, Ronaldo is a global icon, recognized as the first footballer to reach $1 billion in earnings, and he boasts the highest number of social media followers, exceeding 1 billion across various platforms.

**Sporting CP:**  

Ronaldo commenced his professional journey at Sporting CP, making his debut at the age of 17 in 2002. His impressive performances drew the attention of prominent clubs such as Arsenal and Liverpool. Notably, he scored two goals in a match against Moreirense, which significantly enhanced his reputation.

**Manchester United (2003–2009):**  

In 2003, Ronaldo transferred to Manchester United for £12 million, marking him as the first Portuguese player to join the club. He was given the prestigious number 7 jersey and quickly showcased his exceptional talent and flair. Under the mentorship of Sir Alex Ferguson, Ronaldo evolved into a world-class player.

- **Early Years (2003–2006):**  

  In his inaugural season, he secured the FA Cup and followed it up with a League Cup victory in 2006. Although he faced criticism for his flamboyant style, his immense potential was clear.

- **Breakthrough (2006–2007):**  

  Despite facing controversy during the World Cup alongside teammate Wayne Rooney, Ronaldo enjoyed a remarkable season, netting over 20 goals and clinching his first Premier League title.

- **Peak Success (2007–2009):**  

  Ronaldo garnered numerous accolades, including the 2008 Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year. He played a pivotal role in helping United secure both the Premier League and Champions League titles in 2008. His stunning long-range goal against Porto earned him the inaugural FIFA Puskás Award. However, in 2009, United fell short in the Champions League final against Barcelona.

Cristiano Ronaldo's tenure at Real Madrid (2009–2018)

In 2009, Cristiano Ronaldo made a historic move to Real Madrid for a record-breaking fee of £80 million, netting 33 goals in his inaugural season. Although he had a remarkable start, he concluded his first year without securing any trophies. In the subsequent seasons, Ronaldo emerged as the club's emblematic figure, donning the prestigious No. 7 jersey and forming a legendary partnership with Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema, collectively known as "BBC."

His first piece of silverware came in 2011 when he led the team to victory in the Copa del Rey against Barcelona, followed by a La Liga championship in 2012, where Madrid achieved a remarkable 100 points. Ronaldo consistently produced exceptional goal-scoring feats, including 60 goals in the 2011–12 season and a personal record of 61 in 2014–15. He was recognized as La Liga's top scorer on multiple occasions and earned several European Golden Shoes.

Ronaldo played a pivotal role in Real Madrid's Champions League success, securing four titles from 2014 to 2018, including the historic “La Décima” in 2014. He established records for the most goals in a single Champions League season (17 in 2013–14), became the all-time leading scorer in the competition, and was the first player to score in three different finals.

On an individual level, he garnered four Ballon d’Or awards and two FIFA Best Player accolades during this era. In 2018, following his fifth Champions League triumph and a stunning goal against Juventus, Ronaldo signaled his departure, concluding an illustrious chapter at Madrid with an impressive tally of 450 goals in 438 appearances.

**Juventus (2018–2021)**  

Cristiano Ronaldo transferred to Juventus in 2018 for a fee of €100 million, establishing records for both a player over the age of 30 and for an Italian club. He expressed a desire for a new challenge and later indicated that a lack of support from the president of Real Madrid contributed to his decision to leave.

During his tenure at Juventus, Ronaldo secured consecutive Serie A championships, the 2018 Supercoppa Italiana, and the 2021 Coppa Italia. He delivered pivotal performances, including a hat-trick against Atlético Madrid in the Champions League, and became the first player to net over 50 goals in the Premier League, La Liga, and Serie A. He achieved the milestone of 100 goals for Juventus in just 131 matches and was awarded the Capocannoniere for the 2020–21 season as Serie A’s leading scorer.

**Return to Manchester United (2021–2022)**  

In August 2021, Ronaldo made his return to Manchester United. He marked his second debut with two goals and became the player with the most appearances in the Champions League. Despite his individual achievements—scoring 24 goals and receiving various club honors—United faced challenges, finishing in sixth place. Frustration with the club's trajectory and a disagreement with manager Erik ten Hag ultimately led to the termination of his contract in November 2022, following a contentious interview.

Cristiano Ronaldo at Al Nassr (2023–2024)  

In December 2022, Cristiano Ronaldo signed with Al Nassr on an unprecedented contract worth €200 million annually. He made his first appearance in January 2023 and quickly established his presence by scoring his inaugural goal in early February, followed by his 500th league goal shortly thereafter. Ronaldo played a pivotal role in leading Al Nassr to triumph in the 2023 Arab Club Champions Cup, where he scored both goals in the final match. Throughout 2023, he emerged as the leading scorer globally, netting 54 goals. By May 2024, he achieved a new record for the Saudi Pro League season with 35 goals and became the first player to be the top scorer in four distinct leagues. Additionally, he equaled the record for the most matches played at the top level, totaling 1,225.

**International Career Overview:**

- **Debut:** August 2003 against Kazakhstan.

- **Euro 2004:** Netted his first international goal; Portugal finished as runners-up.

- **2006 World Cup:** Became the youngest Portuguese player to score in a World Cup; reached the semi-finals.

- **Euro 2008 & 2010 World Cup:** Assumed the role of team captain; while goals were limited, he maintained consistent performances.

**Euro 2012:** Tied for top scorer and was selected for the Team of the Tournament.

**2014 World Cup:** Scored against Ghana; Portugal was eliminated in the group stage.

**Euro 2016:** Captained Portugal to their inaugural major trophy and earned the Silver Boot.

**2018 World Cup:** Achieved a hat-trick against Spain and set a new European scoring record.

**2019 Nations League:** Finished as the top scorer, leading Portugal to victory.

**Euro 2020:** Awarded the Golden Boot and surpassed Ali Daei’s record for international goals.

**2022 World Cup:** First player to score in five World Cups; later did not play in the knockout stage.

**2023–2024:** Became the most-capped male player, the first to achieve 200 international caps; scored in six European Championships over a span of three decades.

**Playing Style Overview:**

Early Career:** Known for his speed, skill, and flair as a winger, utilizing tricks and dribbling.

Aerial Ability:** Notable for his strength in aerial duels, showcasing exceptional jumping and heading skills.

Evolution:** Shifted from a winger role to that of a central forward or poacher as he matured.

Skill Set:** Proficient with both feet, excelling in long-range shots, penalties, and free kicks using a knuckleball technique.

Later Career:** Emphasized positioning, finishing, and creating space, reducing reliance on dribbling.