Cristiano Ronaldo facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Cristiano Ronaldo
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Ronaldo playing for Portugal in 2025
Personal information
Full name	Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro
Date of birth	(1985-02-05) 5 February 1985 (age 40)
Place of birth	Funchal, Madeira, Portugal
Height	1.87 m (6 ft 2 in)
Position(s)	Forward
Team information
Current team	Al-Nassr
Number	7
Youth career
1992–1995	Andorinha
1995–1997	Nacional
1997–2002	Sporting CP
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2002–2003	Sporting CP B	2	(0)
2002–2003	Sporting CP	25	(3)
2003–2009	Manchester United	196	(84)
2009–2018	Real Madrid	292	(311)
2018–2021	Juventus	98	(81)
2021–2022	Manchester United	40	(19)
2023–	Al-Nassr	86	(84)
International career‡
2001	Portugal U15	9	(7)
2001–2002	Portugal U17	7	(5)
2003	Portugal U20	5	(1)
2002–2003	Portugal U21	10	(3)
2004	Portugal U23	3	(2)
2003–	Portugal	226	(143)
Medal record Men's football Representing  Portugal UEFA European Championship Winner 2016 France Runner-up 2004 Portugal Third 2012 Poland-Ukraine UEFA Nations League Winner 2019 Portugal Winner 2025 Germany FIFA Confederations Cup Third 2017 Russia
Signature
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 20:30, 23 November 2025 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 22:45, 13 November 2025 (UTC)

Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro (born February 5, 1985) is a famous Portuguese professional footballer. Many people call him CR7. He plays as a forward and is the captain for both the Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr and the Portugal national team. Cristiano Ronaldo is known as one of the greatest football players ever. He has won many awards, including five Ballon d'Ors and four European Golden Shoes. He has also been named the world's best player by FIFA five times.

Throughout his amazing career, he has won 34 trophies. These include five UEFA Champions League titles and the UEFA European Championship. He holds many records, like scoring the most goals (140) and making the most assists (42) in the Champions League. He also has the most goals (14) and assists (8) in the European Championship. Ronaldo has played in more international games (226) and scored more international goals (143) than any other male player. He is the only player to score 100 goals for four different clubs. He has played over 1,300 professional matches, which is the most for an outfield player. With over 950 official goals, he is the top goalscorer in history for club and country.

Early Life and Beginnings

Cristiano Ronaldo was born on February 5, 1985, in Funchal, Madeira, a Portuguese island. He is the youngest of four children. His family did not have a lot of money, but they were very supportive of his love for football. His father, José Dinis Aveiro, worked as a gardener and a kit man for a local football club called Andorinha.

As a child, Ronaldo played for Andorinha and then for another local club, Nacional. When he was just 12 years old, he had a trial with Sporting CP, one of the biggest clubs in Portugal. They were so impressed that they signed him. This meant he had to move from his home island of Madeira to Lisbon, the capital city, to join the club's youth academy.

At age 14, Ronaldo decided to focus completely on football. School was difficult for him, and he knew he had the talent to become a professional player. A year later, doctors found he had a condition that made his heart beat too fast. He had a small surgery to fix the problem and was back to training just a few days later. This showed his amazing determination to succeed.

Amazing Club Career

Sporting CP

Ronaldo started his professional career at Sporting CP. He was so good that he was promoted to the first team when he was only 17. In his first season, he played well and caught the eye of many big European clubs. In 2003, Sporting played a friendly match against Manchester United. Ronaldo played so brilliantly that the Manchester United players told their manager, Alex Ferguson, that he had to sign him.

Manchester United

2003–2007: Becoming a Star

Ronaldo playing for Manchester United during the 2005–06 season.

In 2003, Ronaldo signed for Manchester United. He was given the famous number 7 shirt, which had been worn by club legends like George Best and David Beckham. This motivated him to work even harder. In his first few years, he was known for his amazing dribbling skills and fancy tricks.

He helped the team win the FA Cup in his first season. Over the next few years, under the guidance of manager Alex Ferguson, Ronaldo changed from a talented young winger into one of the best players in the world. He started scoring many more goals and became a key player for the team. In the 2006–07 season, he won his first Premier League title.

2007–2009: World's Best Player

Ronaldo became one of the world's top players during the 2007-08 season.

The 2007–08 season was incredible for Ronaldo. He scored 42 goals in all competitions and led Manchester United to win both the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League. His amazing performances earned him his first Ballon d'Or award as the world's best player.

He stayed for one more season, helping United win another Premier League title and reach the Champions League final again. By 2009, he had become a global superstar and was ready for a new challenge.

Real Madrid

2009–2015: Breaking Records

Ronaldo scored 33 goals in his first season in Spain.

In 2009, Ronaldo joined Real Madrid for a world-record transfer fee at the time. He was welcomed by 80,000 fans at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium. At Madrid, he became an unstoppable goal-scoring machine. He scored an amazing 311 goals in 292 league games for the club.

He won his first La Liga title in the 2011–12 season, when the team scored a record 100 points. In 2013 and 2014, he won the Ballon d'Or again. One of his greatest achievements was helping Real Madrid win their tenth Champions League title in 2014, a victory known as La Décima.

2015–2018: More Champions League Glory

Ronaldo scored a record 17 goals in the 2013–14 Champions League season.

Ronaldo continued to make history at Real Madrid. He became the club's all-time top goalscorer, passing the legendary Raúl. He formed a famous attacking trio with Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale, known as the "BBC."

Together, they led Real Madrid to three more Champions League titles in a row, in 2016, 2017, and 2018. This was an incredible achievement that no team had managed in the modern era. During this time, Ronaldo won two more Ballon d'Or awards, bringing his total to five. His amazing bicycle kick goal against Juventus in 2018 is remembered as one of the greatest goals in Champions League history.

Juventus

Ronaldo playing for Juventus in 2019.

In 2018, Ronaldo moved to the Italian club Juventus. He said he wanted a new challenge. He quickly became a star in Italy, helping Juventus win the Serie A league title in his first two seasons. This made him the first player to win league titles in England, Spain, and Italy.

He scored 101 goals in 134 games for Juventus and won the award for the best player in Serie A. He also became the top scorer in the league in the 2020–21 season.

Return to Manchester United

Ronaldo playing for Manchester United after his return in 2021.

In 2021, Ronaldo made a surprise return to Manchester United. Fans were thrilled to have their hero back. He scored two goals in his first game back and continued to be the team's top scorer.

Although he played well and scored many important goals, the team did not win any trophies. After some disagreements about his role on the team, Ronaldo and Manchester United agreed to end his contract in November 2022.

Al-Nassr

Ronaldo with Al-Nassr in 2023.

On 30 December 2022, Ronaldo joined Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr. He signed a contract until 2025. He received the highest football salary ever. He made his debut as captain on 22 January 2023. He scored his first goal in a 2–2 draw against Al-Fateh. On 9 February, Ronaldo scored all four goals in a 4–0 win. His first goal was his 500th career league goal.

Ronaldo in a match against Al-Taawoun

Ronaldo's move to Al-Nassr started a "revolution" in Asian football. Many players from Europe joined Saudi clubs. In August 2023, Ronaldo scored both goals in the Arab Club Champions Cup final. Al-Nassr defeated rivals Al-Hilal 2–1. He scored 54 goals for Al-Nassr and Portugal in 2023. This made him the top scorer in the world for that year. On 27 May 2024, Ronaldo scored his 34th and 35th league goals. He broke the record for most goals in a single Saudi Pro League season. He also became the first player to be top scorer in four different leagues.

Ronaldo finished the 2024–25 season as the Saudi Pro League's top scorer again. In November 2025, Ronaldo mentioned that he planned to retire within the next two years, as he aimed for the 1000-career-goal milestone.

International Career with Portugal

Ronaldo became the captain of Portugal in 2008.

Ronaldo has had an incredible career with the Portugal national team. He made his debut in 2003 at age 18. He is the most-capped male player in history, meaning he has played more games for his country than any other man. He is also the all-time leading goalscorer in men's international football.

One of his greatest moments came at UEFA Euro 2016. He was the captain and leader of the team. In the final against France, he got injured early in the game and had to be taken off. But he was so passionate that he spent the rest of the match on the sideline, cheering on his teammates and acting like a second coach. Portugal won the final 1–0, winning their first-ever major international trophy.

Ronaldo became the first player to play in six European Championships at UEFA Euro 2024. On 5 September 2024, he scored his 900th career goal against Croatia. On 8 June 2025, Ronaldo won his second Nations League title. He helped Portugal defeat Spain in the final. On 14 October 2025, he scored twice against Hungary. He reached a record 41 goals in World Cup qualifying.

How He Plays

Style of Play

Ronaldo is known for his incredible speed, powerful shots, and athletic ability.

Ronaldo is a very versatile attacker. He can play on the left wing, the right wing, or as a central striker. He is famous for his incredible speed, powerful shots with both feet, and amazing dribbling skills.

One of his biggest strengths is his ability to jump extremely high. This, combined with his height and heading accuracy, makes him a huge threat in the air. Many of his goals have been headers. As he has gotten older, he has changed his style of play. He went from being a tricky winger who loved to dribble past defenders to a deadly goalscorer who is always in the right place at the right time.

Goal Celebrations

Ronaldo is famous for his "Siuuu" celebration. After scoring a goal, he often runs to the corner, jumps high in the air, turns around, and lands with his arms stretched out, shouting "Sí!" (which means "yes" in Spanish). This celebration has become iconic and is copied by fans and other athletes all over the world.

Rivalry with Lionel Messi

Ronaldo with Lionel Messi in 2011.

For over a decade, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have been seen as the two best players in the world. Their rivalry is one of the most famous in sports history. They competed against each other for the biggest awards and trophies, especially when Ronaldo was at Real Madrid and Messi was at Barcelona.

They have very different playing styles and personalities, which made their rivalry even more exciting for fans. Although people often debate who is better, both players have said that their rivalry pushed them to become even greater. They have a lot of respect for each other and what they have both achieved in football.

Personal Life

Ronaldo is a Catholic. His family has roots in Cape Verde. His father, José, passed away in September 2005 when Ronaldo was 20. His mother, Dolores Aveiro, became a popular person in Portugal. She appeared in many advertisements.

Ronaldo has five children. His first son, Cristiano Ronaldo Jr., was born in June 2010. Ronaldo has full custody of him. Ronaldo Jr. is also a youth footballer. In 2017, Ronaldo became a father to twins. Ronaldo has a partner, Georgina Rodríguez. They have children together, including a daughter born in 2017. In 2022, they welcomed another daughter. On 11 August 2025, Georgina announced their engagement.

Ronaldo is known for his dedication to fitness and health. He does not drink alcohol and does not have any tattoos. This is because he regularly donates blood and bone marrow to help others.

Career statistics

Club

International

Notes

Ronaldo's Trophies and Awards

Ronaldo, with his third Ballon d'Or, at the Santiago Bernabéu in January 2015

Sporting CP

• Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira: 2002

Manchester United

• Premier League: 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09
• FA Cup: 2003–04
• Football League Cup: 2005–06, 2008–09
• FA Community Shield: 2007
• UEFA Champions League: 2007–08
• FIFA Club World Cup: 2008

Real Madrid

• La Liga: 2011–12, 2016–17
• Copa del Rey: 2010–11, 2013–14
• Supercopa de España: 2012, 2017
• UEFA Champions League: 2013–14, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18
• UEFA Super Cup: 2014, 2017
• FIFA Club World Cup: 2014, 2016, 2017

Juventus

• Serie A: 2018–19, 2019–20
• Coppa Italia: 2020–21
• Supercoppa Italiana: 2018, 2020

Al-Nassr

• Arab Club Champions Cup: 2023

Portugal

• UEFA European Championship: 2016
• UEFA Nations League: 2018–19, 2024–25

Individual

• Ballon d'Or/FIFA Ballon d'Or: 2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017
• FIFA World Player of the Year: 2008
• The Best FIFA Men's Player: 2016, 2017
• The Best FIFA Special Award for Outstanding Career Achievement: 2021
• UEFA Club Footballer of the Year: 2007–08
• UEFA Men's Player of the Year Award: 2013–14, 2015–16, 2016–17
• The Best Special Award of UEFA Champions League All-Time Top Scorer: 2024
• European Golden Shoe: 2007–08, 2010–11, 2013–14, 2014–15
• FIFA Puskás Award: 2009
• FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball: 2016
• UEFA European Championship Golden Boot: 2020
• UEFA Nations League Finals Top Scorer: 2019, 2025 (shared)
• UEFA Champions League top scorer: 2007–08, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18
• Premier League Player of the Season: 2006–07, 2007–08
• La Liga Best Player: 2013–14
• Serie A Footballer of the Year: 2019, 2020
• Primeira Liga Best Player of All Time Award: 2025
• Premier League Golden Boot: 2007–08
• Pichichi Trophy: 2010–11, 2013–14, 2014–15
• Capocannoniere: 2020–21
• Saudi Pro League Golden Boot: 2023–24, 2024–25
• Golden Foot: 2020
• 21st Century Awards, by Globe Soccer Awards: 2020
• Ballon d'Or Dream Team: 2020
• FIFA FIFPRO World 11: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
• Portuguese Sportsman of the Year: 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
• FPF Portuguese Player of the Year: 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019

Orders

• Medal of Merit, Order of the Immaculate Conception of Vila Viçosa (Portuguese Royal Family)
• Grand officer of the Order of Prince Henry
• Commander of the Order of Merit
• Cordão da Insígnia autonómica de distinção (Collar of the Autonomic Insignia of Distinction, Autonomous Region of Madeira)

Interesting Facts About Cristiano Ronaldo

• He can jump higher than the average NBA player. Ronaldo can jump 78 cm (30.7 inches) off the floor.
• In 2013, Ronaldo opened a museum, The Museu CR7, in Funchal, Madeira. It displays his trophies. The museum is an official sponsor of a local football team.
• In 2007, C.D. Nacional renamed its youth campus Cristiano Ronaldo Campus Futebol.
• In January 2014, the President of Portugal, Aníbal Cavaco Silva, honored Ronaldo with a special award.
• In 2009, Real Madrid insured Cristiano Ronaldo’s legs for about 100 million euros.
• In June 2010, Ronaldo became the fourth footballer to have a waxwork at Madame Tussauds London.
• In June 2015, astronomers discovered a galaxy and named it Cosmos Redshift 7 (CR7) in tribute to Ronaldo.
• On 23 July 2016, after Portugal won Euro 2016, Madeira Airport was renamed Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport.
• There are at least three statues and busts of Cristiano Ronaldo. One bronze bust is at Madeira Airport. There is a full-size statue in Madeira and a giant one in Calangute, Goa, weighing about 410 kg.
• Ronaldo is the most popular sportsperson on social media. He has over 1 billion followers across Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram. He was the first person to achieve this.

Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport in Madeira. The renaming ceremony took place in March 2017.

Cristiano Ronaldo Quotes

• "In your life you do not win without sacrifices and you must take risks."
• "I'm living a dream I never want to wake up from."
• "Your love makes me strong, your hate makes me unstoppable."
• "If you think you’re perfect already, then you never will be."
• "I see football as an art and all players are artists."
• "If you are a top artist, the last thing you would do is paint a picture somebody else has already painted."
• "If you don't believe you are the best, then you will never achieve all that you are capable of."
• "Dreams are not what you see in your sleep, dreams are things which do not let you sleep."

See also

In Spanish: Cristiano Ronaldo para niños