Cristiano Ronaldo facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Cristiano Ronaldo
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Ronaldo with Al-Nassr in 2023
Personal information
Date of birth	(1985-02-05) 5 February 1985 (age 40)
Place of birth	Funchal, Madeira, Portugal
Height	1.87 m
Playing position	Forward
Club information
Current club	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	77	(74)
National team‡
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	220	(137)
Honours 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 FIFA Confederations Cup Third 2017 Russia
Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 22:40, 26 May 2025 (UTC). † Appearances (Goals). ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 23:05, 4 June 2025 (UTC)

Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro (born 5 February 1985) is a famous Portuguese footballer. He plays as a forward for Al-Nassr and is the captain of the Portugal national team.

Ronaldo holds many impressive records. He has scored the most goals (140) and made 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 the most international matches (220) and scored the most international goals (137) for a male player. He is one of the few players to have played over 1,200 professional games, which is the most for an outfield player. He has scored over 900 official goals for his clubs and country, making him the top goalscorer of all time.

Ronaldo is one of the world's most famous athletes. Forbes magazine named him the highest-paid athlete multiple times. ESPN called him the most famous athlete from 2016 to 2019. He is the first footballer and third sportsman to earn US$1 billion in his career. Time magazine included him in their list of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2014.

Early Life and Football Beginnings

Cristiano Ronaldo was born in Funchal, the capital of the Portuguese island of Madeira. He grew up in a nearby area called Santo António. He is the youngest of four children. His mother, Maria Dolores, was a cook, and his father, José Dinis, was a gardener and part-time kit man for a football club. Ronaldo grew up in a humble home.

As a child, Ronaldo played for Andorinha from 1992 to 1995, where his father worked. He then spent two years with Nacional. In 1997, at age 12, he had a three-day trial with Sporting CP, who signed him for £1,500. He then moved from Madeira to Alcochete, near Lisbon, to join Sporting's youth academy.

By age 14, Ronaldo felt he was good enough to play semi-professionally. He and his mother agreed he should stop school to focus on football. He had been expelled from school after throwing a chair at a teacher he felt had "disrespected" him. A year later, he was diagnosed with tachycardia, a heart condition. This condition could have stopped him from playing football. Ronaldo had heart surgery and was back training a few days later.

Club Career Highlights

Sporting CP: First Steps

Ronaldo memorabilia at Sporting CP's museum

Ronaldo started his professional career with Sporting CP. He quickly moved up through the club's youth teams. He became the first player to play for the club's under-16, under-17, under-18 teams, the B team, and the first team, all in one season.

On 29 September 2002, Ronaldo made his debut in the Primeira Liga, Portugal's top league. He left Sporting in 2003 to join Manchester United. Years later, in 2013, Sporting honored Ronaldo by making him their 100,000th member.

Manchester United: Rise to Stardom

Ronaldo playing for Manchester United against Chelsea in the 2005–06 Premier League season

Ronaldo was the first Portuguese player to sign for Manchester United. His transfer fee made him the most expensive teenager in English football at the time. He wanted to wear number 28, but he was given the famous number 7 shirt. This number had been worn by legends like George Best and David Beckham. Wearing number 7 became a big motivation for Ronaldo.

A key person in his development was the Manchester United coach, Alex Ferguson. Ronaldo later called Ferguson his "father in sport" and a very important influence on his career. Ronaldo scored his first goal for United on 1 November 2003. He ended his first season by scoring in the 2004 FA Cup Final, winning his first trophy.

On 29 October 2004, Ronaldo scored United's 1,000th Premier League goal. He signed a new contract that extended his deal until 2010. On 12 January 2008, he scored his first hat-trick for United in a 6–0 win against Newcastle United.

His 31 league goals that season earned him the Premier League Golden Boot. He also won the European Golden Shoe, becoming the first winger to do so. He received many other awards, including the PFA Players' Player of the Year. In 2008, Ronaldo won the 2008 Ballon d'Or and 2008 FIFA World Player of the Year. He was the first United player to win the Ballon d'Or since 1968.

Ronaldo in 2009 with Manchester United playing in a Premier League game against Liverpool

Before the 2008–09 season, Ronaldo had ankle surgery. He scored his 100th goal for United on 15 November, scoring against all 19 Premier League teams at the time. In late 2008, Ronaldo helped United win the 2008 FIFA Club World Cup in Japan. He left Manchester United with nine trophies. His last goal for the club was on 10 May 2009.

Real Madrid: A Goal-Scoring Machine

As his usual number 7 was unavailable, Ronaldo wore number 9 during his debut season at Madrid. After Raúl departed the club, Ronaldo was handed the number 7 shirt before the 2010–11 season.

In 2009, Ronaldo joined Real Madrid for a world record transfer fee of £80 million (€94 million). His contract was worth €11 million per year. Over 80,000 fans came to his presentation at the Santiago Bernabéu.

Since club captain Raúl already wore number 7, Ronaldo received the number 9 shirt. After Raúl left, Ronaldo was given the number 7 shirt for the 2010–11 season. On 23 October, he scored four goals in one match for the first time. He scored 40 goals in La Liga, becoming the first player to do so. He also won the European Golden Shoe for a second time.

Ronaldo scored 46 league goals during the La Liga championship success in his third season in Spain.

The next season, Ronaldo scored a personal best of 60 goals in all competitions. He helped Madrid win their first league title in four years. He became the first player to score against all 19 opposition teams in a single La Liga season.

Ronaldo started the 2012–13 season by winning the 2012 Supercopa de España. He captained Madrid for the first time in an official match. He became the first non-Spanish player in 60 years to captain Madrid in El Clasico. This match was also his 500th club appearance.

Ronaldo scored a record 17 UEFA Champions League goals during the 2013–14 season en route to La Décima.

In 2013, Ronaldo signed a new contract with Real Madrid, making him the highest-paid player in football at the time. He joined Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema to form a powerful attacking trio called "BBC". Ronaldo ended 2013 with 69 goals, his highest yearly total. He won the 2013 FIFA Ballon d'Or for the first time.

Ronaldo helped Madrid win La Décima, their tenth European Cup. During the 2014–15 season, Ronaldo scored a personal best of 61 goals. He won the 2014 Ballon d'Or, becoming a three-time winner.

During the 2014–15 season Ronaldo scored a personal best of 61 goals in all competitions.

At the start of his seventh season, Ronaldo became Real Madrid's all-time top scorer. He received the UEFA Best Player in Europe Award for a second time.

By March 2016, Ronaldo had scored 252 goals in 228 matches in La Liga to become the competition's second-highest goalscorer.

Ronaldo missed Madrid's first three matches of the 2016–17 season. On 15 December, he scored his 500th club career goal. He won his fourth 2016 Ballon d'Or and the first 2016 The Best FIFA Men's Player award. This was largely due to Portugal winning Euro 2016.

Ronaldo with Cristina Cifuentes, President of the Community of Madrid, during the 2016 Champions League title celebrations in Madrid

In 2017, Ronaldo won The Best FIFA Men's Player award for the second year in a row. On 7 December, he won his fifth 2017 Ballon d'Or at the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

On 16 December, he scored a winning free kick as Madrid won their second Club World Cup in a row. On 3 March 2018, he scored his 300th La Liga goal in his 286th appearance. This made him the fastest player to reach this milestone. On 18 March, he scored his 50th career hat-trick. Ronaldo left Real Madrid for Italian club Juventus in July 2018.

Ronaldo in the 2018 UEFA Champions League Final, his final game for Real Madrid

Juventus: Italian Success

On 10 July 2018, Ronaldo signed a four-year contract with Juventus for €100 million. This was the highest transfer fee ever for a player over 30 years old. Ronaldo said he needed a new challenge.

Ronaldo won his first trophy with Juventus on 16 January 2019, scoring the only goal in the 2018 Supercoppa Italiana. On 27 April 2019, he scored his 600th club goal. He ended his first Serie A season with 21 goals and 8 assists. He won the first Serie A award for Most Valuable Player.

Ronaldo playing for Juventus against Torino during the 2019–20 season

On 22 February 2020, Ronaldo played his 1,000th senior professional game. On 4 July, he scored his 25th league goal of the season from a free kick. He became the first Juventus player to do this since 1961. He also reached 30 league goals for the season, becoming only the third player in Juventus's history to do so.

Ronaldo played his 100th match for Juventus on 13 December 2020. With Juventus winning the 2021 Coppa Italia Final on 19 May, Ronaldo became the first player to win every major domestic trophy in England, Spain, and Italy. He ended the season with 29 league goals, winning the Capocannoniere award for top goalscorer. He was the first footballer to be top scorer in the English, Spanish, and Italian leagues.

Return to Manchester United

On 27 August 2021, Manchester United announced they would re-sign Ronaldo. The transfer was for £12.85 million, with a two-year contract. Ronaldo was given the number 7 shirt again. The first 24 hours of his shirt sales broke all records.

Ronaldo in a Premier League match against Southampton in February 2022

On 11 September, Ronaldo made his second debut at Old Trafford, scoring two goals. On 16 April 2022, he scored his 50th club hat-trick. On 23 April, he scored his 100th Premier League goal. He was named the Premier League Player of the Month for April.

He finished the season with 24 goals. He was named in the Premier League Team of the Year. However, United finished sixth, and Ronaldo went trophyless for the first time since 2010.

In 2022, Ronaldo's agent tried to find him a new club. However, due to his age and high salary, many European clubs did not sign him.

Ronaldo in a Premier League match against Brighton & Hove Albion in August 2022

Ronaldo lost his starting spot in the team. On 14 November, an interview was published where Ronaldo said he felt "betrayed" by the club. He felt there was "no evolution" at the club since Alex Ferguson left in 2013. Following the interview, his contract was ended by mutual agreement on 22 November.

Al Nassr: New Chapter

On 30 December 2022, Saudi club Al-Nassr signed Ronaldo until 2025. Ronaldo received the highest football salary ever, at €200 million per year.

Ronaldo with Al-Nassr in September 2023

He made his debut for Al Nassr on 22 January 2023. He scored his first goal on 9 February, a last-minute penalty. On 9 February, Ronaldo scored all four goals in a 4–0 win, with his first goal being his 500th career league goal. Ronaldo's move to Al-Nassr led to many other players joining Saudi Pro League clubs.

In the final of the Arab Club Champions Cup on 12 August, Ronaldo scored both goals to win the trophy. He scored 54 goals in all competitions for Al-Nassr and Portugal in 2023, making him the top scorer of the year. On 27 May 2024, Ronaldo scored his 34th and 35th league goals of the season. This broke the record for most goals in a single Saudi Pro League season. He also became the first footballer to be top scorer in four different leagues: English, Spanish, Italian, and Saudi.

International Career for Portugal

Ronaldo (bottom left) playing for Portugal during their semi-final match against the Netherlands at Euro 2004

At 18, Ronaldo made his debut for Portugal on 20 August 2003. At UEFA Euro 2004, he scored his first international goal. Portugal lost to Greece in the final, but Ronaldo was named in the team of the tournament. In the 2006 FIFA World Cup, Ronaldo became Portugal's youngest World Cup goalscorer. Portugal reached the semi-finals.

Ronaldo, pictured playing against Germany at Euro 2012, was made captain for Portugal in 2008.

On 6 February 2007, Cristiano captained Portugal for the first time. He wore the number 7 shirt for UEFA Euro 2008. He scored eight goals in qualifications but only one in the finals. Portugal was eliminated in the quarter-finals.

Ronaldo scored only one goal in the 2010 World Cup finals. Two years later, in UEFA Euro 2012, Ronaldo was joint top scorer with three goals. He was included in the team of the tournament. For the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Ronaldo scored eight goals in qualification. He scored all four goals against Sweden in the play-off to help Portugal qualify.

Ronaldo leaps in the air in Portugal's Euro 2016 quarter-final match against Poland.

In 2016, Ronaldo led Portugal to their first-ever trophy at the UEFA Euro 2016. He received the Silver Boot as the second-highest goalscorer. This win helped him get his fourth Ballon d'Or. Portugal then played in the FIFA Confederations Cup and finished third.

In the 2018 World Cup, Ronaldo became the oldest player to score a hat-trick. He scored the only goal in a 1–0 win against Morocco, breaking a record for international goals. Ronaldo was named in the World Cup Dream Team.

Ronaldo led Portugal to victory in the first UEFA Nations League in 2019. He was the top scorer in the finals. He also won the Golden Boot as top scorer of Euro 2020. Ronaldo became the first player to score in five European Championships. On 23 June 2021, he broke the men's international goalscoring record.

Ronaldo during a group stage game against Uruguay at the 2022 World Cup

On 9 October 2021, he became the most capped European male player. In the next match, he scored a hat-trick, becoming the first player to score 10 hat-tricks in men's international football.

In the 2022 World Cup, Ronaldo became the first player to score in five World Cups. He scored a penalty against Ghana. He was later dropped from the starting lineup for a knockout match.

On 23 March 2023, Ronaldo became the most capped male footballer of all time with his 197th cap. On 20 June, he made his 200th appearance for Portugal, scoring the only goal against Iceland. On 16 October, Portugal secured first place in their qualifying group. Ronaldo scored twice, reaching over 100 goals in each of the last three decades.

With his start in Portugal's UEFA Euro 2024 opener, Ronaldo became the first player to play in six European Championships. On 5 September, he scored his 900th career goal in a 2–1 victory over Croatia.

Player Profile and Style

Ronaldo is a versatile player. He can play on either wing or through the center of the field. He is strong with both feet. Ronaldo is known for his amazing dribbling skills and fancy tricks. These include step overs and the 'chops', which became his signature moves. He is also known to use the flip–flap.

Ronaldo controlling the ball on his chest during a 2010–11 La Liga game against Almería. At his peak, he was known for his exceptional speed and athleticism.

He has also played a creative role. He often drops back to get the ball and help build up plays. He creates chances for his teammates with his great vision and passing.

Goal Celebrations

Ronaldo has several famous goal celebrations. One popular celebration involves him squatting and looking directly into a camera. After scoring a goal, he usually does a "storming jump" and "turn." He then lands in his "signature power stance" while shouting "Sí" (Spanish and Italian for "yes"). This celebration is known as the "Siu."

Rivalry with Lionel Messi

Ronaldo with Lionel Messi before an international friendly between Portugal and Argentina in 2011

Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are two of the greatest footballers ever. Both have scored in many UEFA Champions League finals. They regularly score over 50 goals in a single season. Sports journalists often compare them to decide who is the best player. Part of the debate is about their different personalities. Ronaldo is sometimes seen as confident and expressive. Messi is often described as shy and humble.

Life Outside Football

The Cristiano Ronaldo Museum, Museu CR7, in Funchal, Madeira. It was opened on 15 December 2013.

Ronaldo has many sponsorship deals. These include sportswear, football boots, soft drinks, and video games. He was the cover star of EA Sports' FIFA video game FIFA 18. His "Siu" goal celebration is even in the FIFA games with his own voice. He was also the face of Pro Evolution Soccer.

From 2010 to 2019, Ronaldo earned €720 million (£615 million). Forbes ranked him second on their list of The Highest-Paid Athletes Of The Decade. He is the first footballer and only the third sportsman to earn $1 billion in his career.

Ronaldo is very popular online. He has over 500 million followers across Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. He was the first person to reach half a billion followers. He is the most-followed person on Facebook and Instagram. He is also the most-followed sportsperson on Twitter.

Ronaldo has released two mobile apps. In 2011, he launched an iPhone game called Heads Up with Cristiano. In 2013, he launched Viva Ronaldo, a social networking website and app.

Several works have been made about Ronaldo. His autobiography, Moments, was published in 2007. A television film called Ronaldo: Tested to the Limit showed his physical and mental tests. Cristiano Ronaldo: The World at His Feet, a documentary, was released in 2014. A documentary film about his life, titled Ronaldo, was released in 2015.

Portugal Prime Minister António Costa presents Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi a signed Ronaldo shirt in January 2017

Replica Ronaldo shirts are very popular. In 2008, his Manchester United shirt was the best-selling Premier League sports product. In 2018, over 520,000 of his Juventus shirts were sold in 24 hours.

Ronaldo opened a fashion boutique called CR7 in Madeira in 2006. He opened a second one in Lisbon in 2008. He also co-designed underwear and sock lines. In 2014, he expanded his CR7 brand with shirts and shoes. In 2015, he released his own fragrance, "Legacy."

Personal Life

Family and Relationships

Ronaldo's father, José, passed away in September 2005 when Ronaldo was 20.

Ronaldo has six children. He became a father to a son in 2010. He has full custody of his son. Ronaldo welcomed twins in 2017. He is in a relationship with Georgina Rodríguez, and they have a daughter born in 2017.

Health and Philanthropy

Ronaldo does not have any tattoos. This is because he regularly donates blood and bone marrow.

Ronaldo pictured in 2010

Ronaldo has helped many charitable causes. After the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, he visited Aceh to help raise money. In 2008, he donated money from a legal case to a charity in Madeira. In 2009, he donated £100,000 to the hospital that helped his mother with cancer. This money was used to build a cancer center. In 2010, he played in a charity match to help victims of the Madeira flood.

In 2012, Ronaldo and his agent paid for special treatment for a boy with cancer. In December 2012, Ronaldo joined FIFA's "11 for Health" program. This program teaches kids how to stay healthy. In January 2013, Ronaldo became a Global Artist Ambassador for Save the Children. He aims to help fight child hunger and obesity. In March 2013, he became an ambassador for The Mangrove Care Forum in Indonesia.

Ronaldo was named the world's most charitable sportsperson in 2015. He donated £5 million to help after the earthquake in Nepal. In June 2016, Ronaldo donated his entire €600,000 Champions League bonus. In August, he launched CR7Selfie, a selfie app for charity. It lets people take a selfie with him to help Save the Children.

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."

Career Statistics

Club

International

Notes

Honours and Achievements

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

Individual Awards

• 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 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
• 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
• 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 and Honors

• Medal of Merit, Order of the Immaculate Conception of Vila Viçosa
• 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)

See also

In Spanish: Cristiano Ronaldo para niños