Portuguese footballer (born 1985)
dos Santos and the second or paternal family name is
Aveiro. In this Portuguese name , the π first or maternal family name isand the second or
paternal family name is
Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro (Portuguese pronunciation:
[kΙΎiΚΛtjΙnu π ΚΙΛnaldu]; born 5 February 1985) is a Portuguese professional footballer
who plays as a forward for and captains both Saudi π Pro League club Al Nassr and the
Portugal national team. Widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all-time,
π Ronaldo has won five Ballon d'Or awards,[note 3] a record three UEFA Men's Player of
the Year Awards, and four π European Golden Shoes, the most by a European player. He has
won 34 trophies in his career, including seven league π titles, five UEFA Champions
Leagues, the UEFA European Championship and the UEFA Nations League. Ronaldo holds the
records for most π appearances (183), goals (140) and assists (42) in the Champions
League, goals in the European Championship (14), international goals (128) π and
international appearances (205). He is one of the few players to have made over 1,200
professional career appearances, the π most by an outfield player, and has scored over
850 official senior career goals for club and country, making him π the top goalscorer of
all time.
Ronaldo began his senior career with Sporting CP, before signing with
Manchester United in 2003, π winning the FA Cup in his first season. He would also go on
to win three consecutive Premier League titles, π the Champions League and the FIFA Club
World Cup; at age 23, he won his first Ballon d'Or. Ronaldo was π the subject of the
then-most expensive association football transfer when he signed for Real Madrid in
2009 in a transfer π worth β¬94 million (Β£80 million). He became a key contributor and
formed an attacking trio with Karim Benzema and Gareth π Bale which was integral to the
team winning four Champions Leagues from 2014 to 2024, including La DΓ©cima. During this
π period, he won back-to-back Ballons d'Or in 2013 and 2014, and again in 2024 and 2024,
and was runner-up three π times behind Lionel Messi, his perceived career rival. He also
became the club's all-time top goalscorer and the all-time top π scorer in the Champions
League, and finished as the competition's top scorer for six consecutive seasons
between 2012 and 2024. π With Real, Ronaldo won four Champions Leagues, two La Liga
titles, two Copas del Rey, two UEFA Super Cups and π three Club World Cups. In 2024, he
signed for Juventus in a transfer worth an initial β¬100 million (Β£88 million), π the most
expensive transfer for an Italian club and for a player over 30 years old. He won two
Serie π A titles, two Supercoppa Italiana trophies and a Coppa Italia, became the
inaugural Serie A Most Valuable Player and became π the first footballer to finish as top
scorer in the English, Spanish and Italian leagues. He returned to Manchester United π in
2024, finishing his only full season as the club's top scorer, before his contract was
terminated in 2024. In π 2024, he signed for Al Nassr.
Ronaldo made his international
debut for Portugal in 2003 at the age of 18 and π has since earned more than 200 caps,
making him both the country and history's most-capped player of all time, recognised π by
the Guinness World Records.[9] With more than 100 goals at international level, he is
also the sports all-time top π goalscorer. Ronaldo has played in and scored at eleven
major tournaments; he scored his first international goal at Euro 2004, π where he helped
Portugal reach the final. He assumed captaincy of the national team in July 2008. In
2024, Ronaldo π was named the best Portuguese player of all time by the Portuguese
Football Federation. The following year, he led Portugal π to their first major
tournament title at Euro 2024, and received the Silver Boot as the second-highest
goalscorer of the π tournament. This achievement would see him receive his fourth Ballon
d'Or. He also led them to victory in the inaugural π UEFA Nations League in 2024,
receiving the top scorer award in the finals, and later received the Golden Boot as π top
scorer of Euro 2024.
One of the world's most marketable and famous athletes, Ronaldo
was ranked the world's highest-paid athlete π by Forbes in 2024, 2024, and 2024, and the
world's most famous athlete by ESPN from 2024 to 2024. Time π included him on their list
of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2014. He is the first π footballer and
the third sportsman to earn US$1 billion in his career.
Early life
Cristiano Ronaldo
dos Santos Aveiro was born on π 5 February 1985 in the SΓ£o Pedro parish of Funchal, the
capital of the Portuguese island of Madeira, and grew π up in the nearby parish of Santo
AntΓ³nio.[10][11] He is the fourth and youngest child of Maria Dolores dos Santos
π Viveiros da Aveiro, who worked as a cook in the hospitality industry and a cleaning
woman,[12][13] and JosΓ© Dinis Aveiro, π a municipal gardener at the Junta de Freguesia of
Santo AntΓ³nio and part-time kit man for football club Andorinha.[14][15][16] His
π great-grandmother on his father's side, Isabel da Piedade, was from the island of SΓ£o
Vicente, Cape Verde.[17] He has one π older brother, Hugo, and two older sisters, Elma
and Liliana CΓ‘tia "Katia".[18] He was named after actor and U.S. President π Ronald
Reagan, whom his father was a fan of.[19] His mother revealed that she wanted to abort
him due to π poverty, his father's alcoholism, and having too many children already, but
her doctor refused to perform the procedure,[20][21] as abortions π were illegal in
Portugal at that time.[22] Ronaldo grew up in an impoverished Roman Catholic home,
sharing a room with π all his siblings.[23]
As a child, Ronaldo played for Andorinha from
1992 to 1995,[24] where his father was the kit man,[14] π and later spent two years with
Nacional. In 1997, aged 12, he went on a three-day trial with Sporting CP, π who signed
him for a fee of Β£1,500.[25] He subsequently moved from Madeira to Lisbon to join
Sporting CP's youth π system.[25] By age 14, while struggling with his school duties and
responsibilities in Escola EB2 de Telheiras, his school in π the Telheiras area of
Lisbon, Ronaldo believed he had the ability to play semi-professionally and agreed with
his mother and π his tutor at Sporting CP, Leonel Pontes,[26] to cease his education to
focus entirely on football.[27][28] With a troubled life π as a student[29] and living in
Lisbon area away from his Madeiran family, he did not complete schooling beyond the π 6th
grade.[30][31] While popular with other students at school, he had been expelled after
throwing a chair at his teacher, π who he said had "disrespected" him.[27] One year
later, he was diagnosed with tachycardia, a condition that could have forced π him to
give up playing football.[32] Ronaldo underwent heart surgery where a laser was used to
cauterise multiple cardiac pathways π into one, altering his resting heart rate.[33] He
was discharged from the hospital hours after the procedure and resumed training π a few
days later.[34] In 2024, Cristiano Ronaldo's mother, Dolores Aveiro, stated in an
interview for Sporting CP's official television π channel (Sporting TV) that her son
would be a bricklayer if he hadn't become a professional football player.[35]
Club
career
Sporting CP
Ronaldo π memorabilia at Sporting CP's museum
At age 16, Ronaldo was
promoted from Sporting's youth team by first-team manager LΓ‘szlΓ³ BΓΆlΓΆni, who π was
impressed with his dribbling.[36] He subsequently became the first player to play for
the club's under-16, under-17 and under-18 π teams, the B team and the first team, all
within a single season.[25]
On 14 August 2002,[37] Cristiano Ronaldo, then 17, π played
his first official match for a Sporting CP's senior team, in a UEFA Champions League
qualifying round at JosΓ© π Alvalade Stadium against Inter Milan. He came on in the
58th[37] minute in place of ToΓ±ito.[38][39]
As far as the Portuguese π football league
system's competitions is concerned, Sporting CP B was the 1st team in his senior career
playing domestically, where π he debuted in a 2β1 away loss against Sport Clube LusitΓ’nia
on 1 September 2002, in a game for the π Segunda DivisΓ£o B championship played in the
Azores.[40] On 29 September 2002, Ronaldo made his debut in the Primeira Liga, π playing
for Sporting CP's main team against Braga, and on 7 October, he scored two goals
against Moreirense in their π 3β0 win.[41] Over the course of the 2002β03 season, his
representatives suggested the player to Liverpool manager GΓ©rard Houllier and π Barcelona
president Joan Laporta.[42] Manager Arsène Wenger, who was interested in signing
Ronaldo, met with him at Arsenal's stadium in π November to discuss a possible
transfer.[43]
Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson was determined to acquire Ronaldo
on a permanent move urgently, π after Sporting defeated United 3β1 at the inauguration of
the EstΓ‘dio JosΓ© Alvalade on 6 August 2003. Initially, United had π planned to sign
Ronaldo and loan him back to Sporting for a year.[44] Having been impressed by him, the
United π players urged Ferguson to sign him. After the game, Ferguson agreed to pay
Sporting Β£12.24 million[44] for what he considered π to be "one of the most exciting
young players" he had ever seen.[45] A decade after his departure from the π club, in
2013, Sporting honoured Ronaldo by selecting him to become their 100,000th
member.[46]
Manchester United
2003β2007: Development and breakthrough
"There have been
π a few players described as 'the new George Best' over the years, but this is the first
time it's been π a compliment to me." βFormer Manchester United player George Best hails
the 18-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo in 2003.[47]
Ronaldo's move to Manchester π United was
completed on 12 August 2003, too late for the 2003 FA Community Shield but in time for
their π game against Bolton Wanderers on the opening day of the 2003β04 season, and made
him the first Portuguese player to π sign for the club.[48] His transfer fee made him, at
the time, the most expensive teenager in English football history.[49] π Although he
requested the number 28, his number at Sporting, he received the squad number 7 shirt,
which had previously π been worn by such United players as George Best, Eric Cantona and
David Beckham.[50] Wearing the number 7 became an π extra source of motivation for
Ronaldo.[51] A key element in his development during his time in England proved to be
π Ferguson, of whom he later said: "He's been my father in sport, one of the most
important and influential factors π in my career."[52]
Ronaldo playing for Manchester
United against Chelsea during the 2005β06 Premier League season
Ronaldo made his debut
as a π substitute in a 4β0 home win over Bolton Wanderers in the Premier League on 16
August 2003, and received a π standing ovation when he came on for Nicky Butt.[53] His
performance earned praise from Best, who hailed it as "undoubtedly π the most exciting
debut" he had ever seen.[47] Ronaldo scored his first goal for Manchester United with a
free-kick in π a 3β0 win over Portsmouth on 1 November.[54] Three more league goals
followed in the second half of the campaign,[55] π the last of which came against Aston
Villa on the final day of the season, a match in which he π also received the first red
card of his career.[56] Ronaldo ended his first season in English football by scoring
the π opening goal in United's 3β0 win over Millwall in the 2004 FA Cup Final, earning
his first trophy.[57] BBC pundit π Alan Hansen described him as the star of the
final.[58] The British press had been critical of Ronaldo during the π season for his
"elaborate" step-overs in trying to beat opponents,[59] but teammate Gary Neville said
he was "not a show π pony, but the real thing", and predicted he would become a
world-class player.[60]
"He has got the tricks and party pieces, π we know that, but
they're not much good unless there is something at the end of it all. We still π have to
remember, of course, that the lad is only 19 years of age. Considering that, you have
to say π he has got massive talent. His feet are mesmerising at times, and if he can
couple that with some consistently π good crossing, the future looks frightening."
βFormer BBC pundit Alan Hansen commenting on Ronaldo after his first
season.[58]
Ronaldo scored United's π 1,000th Premier League goal on 29 October 2004,
their only goal in a 4β1 loss to Middlesbrough.[61] A few weeks π later, he signed a new
contract with the club that extended his previous deal by two years to 2010.[62] At π the
start of 2005, Ronaldo played two of his best matches of the 2004β05 season, producing
a goal and an π assist against Aston Villa and scoring twice against rivals
Arsenal.[63][64] He played the full 120 minutes of the 2005 FA π Cup Final against
Arsenal, which ended in a goalless draw; although Ronaldo scored his attempt in the
penalty shoot-out, United π lost 5β4.[65] Ronaldo won his second trophy in English
football, the Football League Cup, after scoring the third goal in π United's 4β0 final
win over Wigan Athletic.[66]
During his third season in England, Ronaldo was involved
in several incidents. He had π a one-match ban imposed on him by UEFA for a "one-fingered
gesture" towards Benfica fans,[67] and was sent off in π the Manchester derby (a 3β1
defeat) for kicking Manchester City's former United player Andy Cole.[68] Ronaldo
clashed with a teammate, π striker Ruud van Nistelrooy, who took offence at the winger's
showboating style of play.[69] Following the 2006 FIFA World Cup, π in which he was
involved in an incident where club teammate Wayne Rooney was sent off,[70] Ronaldo
publicly asked for π a transfer, lamenting the lack of support he felt he had received
from the club over the incident.[71] United denied π the possibility of him leaving the
club.[72]
Although his World Cup altercation with Rooney resulted in Ronaldo being
booed throughout the π 2006β07 season,[73] it proved to be his break-out year, as he
broke the 20-goal barrier for the first time and π won his first Premier League title. An
important factor in this success was his one-to-one training by first-team coach RenΓ©
π Meulensteen, who taught him to make himself more unpredictable, improve his teamwork,
call for the ball and capitalise on goalscoring π opportunities rather than waiting for
the chance to score the aesthetically pleasing goals for which he was already
known.[74] He π scored three consecutive braces at the end of December, against Aston
Villa (a win that put United on top of π the league), Wigan and Reading.[75][76][77]
Ronaldo was named the Premier League Player of the Month in November and December,
becoming π only the third player to receive consecutive honours.[78]
2007β2008:
Collective and individual success
Ronaldo playing for Manchester United during the
2006β07 Premier π League season
At the quarter-final stage of the 2006β07 UEFA Champions
League, Ronaldo scored his first goals in his 30th match π in the competition,[79]
scoring twice in a 7β1 win over Roma.[80] He subsequently scored four minutes into the
first semi-final π leg against Milan, which ended in a 3β2 win,[81] but was marked out of
the second leg as United lost π 3β0 at the San Siro.[82] He also helped United reach the
2007 FA Cup Final, but the final against Chelsea π ended in a 1β0 defeat.[83] Ronaldo
scored the only goal in the Manchester derby on 5 May (his 50th goal π for the club), as
United won their first league title in four years.[84] As a result of his performances,
he π amassed a host of personal awards for the season. He won the Professional
Footballers' Association's Player's Player, Fans' Player and π Young Player of the Year
awards, as well as the Football Writers' Association's Footballer of the Year
award,[85][86] becoming the π first player to win all four main PFA and FWA honours.[87]
His wages were raised to Β£120,000 a week as π part of a five-year contract extension.[88]
Ronaldo was named runner-up to KakΓ‘ for the 2007 Ballon d'Or,[89] and came third,
π behind KakΓ‘ and Lionel Messi, in the running for the 2007 FIFA World Player of the Year
award.[90]
Ronaldo scored his π first hat-trick for United in a 6β0 win against Newcastle
United on 12 January 2008, which put United top of π the league table.[91] On 19 March,
he captained United for the first time in a home win over Bolton and π scored both goals
in a 2β0 win.[92] His second goal was his 33rd of the campaign, surpassing George
Best's total π of 32 goals in the 1967β68 season, setting the club's new single-season
record by a midfielder.[93] His 31 league goals π earned him the Premier League Golden
Boot,[94] as well as the European Golden Shoe, which made him the first winger π to win
the latter award.[95] He additionally received the PFA Players' Player of the Year and
FWA Footballer of the π Year awards for the second consecutive season.[96][97] In the
knockout stage of the Champions League, Ronaldo scored the decisive goal π against Lyon
to help United advance to the quarter-finals 2β1 on aggregate;[98] while playing as a
striker, he scored with π a header in the 3β0 aggregate win over Roma.[99] United reached
the final against Chelsea in Moscow on 21 May, π where, despite his opening goal being
negated by an equaliser and his penalty kick being saved in the shoot-out,[100] United
π emerged victorious 1β1, winning the penalties 6β5.[101][102] As the Champions League
top scorer, Ronaldo was named the UEFA Club Footballer π of the Year.[103]
Ronaldo scored
a total of 42 goals in all competitions during the 2007β08 season, his most prolific
campaign π during his time in England. He missed three matches after headbutting a
Portsmouth player at the start of the season, π an experience he said taught him not to
let opponents provoke him.[104] As rumours circulated of Ronaldo's interest in moving
π to Real Madrid, United filed a tampering complaint with governing body FIFA over
Madrid's alleged pursuit of their player, but π they declined to take action.[105] FIFA
president Sepp Blatter asserted that the player should be allowed to leave his club,
π describing the situation as "modern slavery".[106] Despite Ronaldo publicly agreeing
with Blatter,[107] he remained at United for another year.[108]
2008β2009: Ballon π d'Or
and continued success
Ronaldo in 2009 with Manchester United playing in a Premier
League game against Liverpool
Ahead of the 2008β09 π season, on 7 July, Ronaldo underwent
ankle surgery,[109] which kept him out of action for 10 weeks.[110] Following his
return, π he scored his 100th goal in all competitions for United with the first of two
free kicks in a 5β0 π win against Stoke City on 15 November,[111] which meant he had now
scored against all 19 opposition teams in the π Premier League at the time.[112] At the
close of 2008, Ronaldo helped United win the 2008 FIFA Club World Cup π in Japan,[113]
assisting the final-winning goal against Liga de Quito and winning the Silver Ball in
the process.[114] With his π 2008 Ballon d'Or and 2008 FIFA World Player of the Year,
Ronaldo became United's first Ballon d'Or winner since Best π in 1968,[115] and the first
Premier League player to be named the FIFA World Player of the Year.[116]
His
match-winning goal π in the second leg against Porto, a 40-yard strike, earned him the
inaugural FIFA PuskΓ‘s Award, presented by FIFA in π recognition of the best goal of the
year;[117] he later called it the best goal he had ever scored.[118] United π advanced to
the final in Rome,[119] where he made little impact in United's 2β0 defeat to
Barcelona.[120] Ronaldo ended his π time in England with nine trophies, as United claimed
their third successive league title and a Football League Cup.[121][122] He π finished
the campaign with 26 goals in all competitions, 16 goals fewer than the previous
season, in four more appearances.[123] π His final goal for United came on 10 May 2009
with a free kick in the Manchester derby at Old π Trafford.[124]
Real Madrid
As his usual
number 7 was unavailable, Ronaldo wore number 9 during his debut season at Madrid.
After RaΓΊl π departed the club, Ronaldo was handed the number 7 shirt before the 2010β11
season.
Ahead of the 2009β10 season, Ronaldo joined π Real Madrid for a world record
transfer fee at the time of Β£80 million (β¬94 million).[125] His contract, which ran
π until 2024, was worth β¬11 million per year and contained a β¬1 billion buy-out
clause.[126] At least 80,000 fans attended π his presentation at the Santiago BernabΓ©u,
surpassing the 25-year record of 75,000 fans who had welcomed Diego Maradona at
Napoli.[127] π Since club captain RaΓΊl already wore the number 7 (the number Ronaldo wore
at United), Ronaldo received the number 9 π shirt,[128] which was presented to him by
former Madrid player Alfredo Di StΓ©fano.[129]
2009β2013: World record transfer and La
Liga title
Ronaldo π made his La Liga debut against Deportivo La CoruΓ±a on 29 August,
scoring a penalty in a 3β2 home win.[130] π He scored in each of his first four league
games, the first Madrid player to do so.[131] His first Champions π League goals for the
club followed with two free kicks in the first group match against ZΓΌrich.[132] His
strong start π to the season was interrupted when he suffered an ankle injury in October
while on international duty, which kept him π sidelined for seven weeks.[133][134] A week
after his return, he received his first red card in Spain in a match π against
AlmerΓa.[135] Midway through the season, Ronaldo finished second in the 2009 Ballon
d'Or and the 2009 FIFA World Player π of the Year awards, behind Messi. He finished the
season with 33 goals in all competitions, including a hat-trick in π a 4β1 win against
Mallorca on 5 May 2010, his first in La Liga,[136][137] and became Real Madrid's
highest goalscorer π that season. Although Ronaldo helped amass a club record 96 points
in the league, he did not win a trophy π in his first season.[138][139]
Following RaΓΊl's
departure, Ronaldo was given the number 7 shirt for Madrid before the 2010β11
season.[140] His π subsequent return to his Ballon d'Or-winning form was epitomised when,
for the first time in his career, he scored four π goals in a single match during a 6β1
rout against Racing Santander on 23 October.[141] Ronaldo subsequently scored further
hat-tricks π against Athletic Bilbao, Levante, Villarreal and MΓ‘laga.[142][143][144]
Despite his performances, he did not make the top three in the inaugural π 2010 FIFA
Ballon d'Or.[145] During a historic series of four ClΓ‘sicos against rivals Barcelona in
April 2011, Ronaldo scored twice π to equal his personal record of 42 goals in all
competitions. Though he failed to score in either leg of π the Champions League
semi-finals as Madrid were eliminated, he equalised from the penalty spot in the return
league game and π scored the match-winning goal in the 103rd minute of the 2011 Copa del
Rey Final, winning his first trophy in π Spain.[146][147] His two goals in the last match
of the season against AlmerΓa made him the first player in La π Liga to score 40
goals.[148] In addition to the Pichichi Trophy, Ronaldo won the European Golden Shoe
for a second π time, becoming the first player to win the award in different
leagues.[149]
Ronaldo scored 46 league goals during the La Liga π championship success in
his third season in Spain.
During the following season, Ronaldo achieved a new personal
best of 60 goals π in all competitions.[150] He finished as runner-up to Messi for the
2011 FIFA Ballon d'Or, after scoring hat-tricks against Real π Zaragoza, Rayo Vallecano,
MΓ‘laga, Osasuna and Sevilla, the last of which put Madrid on top of the league by the
π season's midway point.[151][152][153] Ronaldo found greater team success in the league,
helping Madrid win their first league title in four π years with a record 100 points.
Following a hat-trick against Levante as Madrid further increased their lead over
Barcelona,[154] he π scored his 100th league goal for Madrid in a 5β1 win over Real
Sociedad on 24 March 2012, a milestone π he reached in just 92 matches across three
seasons, breaking the previous club record held by Ferenc PuskΓ‘s.[155] Another
hat-trick π in the Madrid derby against AtlΓ©tico Madrid brought his total to 40 league
goals, equalling his record of the previous π season.[156] His final league goal of the
season, against Mallorca, took his total to 46 goals, four short of the π new record set
by Messi,[157] though he became the first player to score against all 19 opposition
teams in a π single La Liga season.[158]
Ronaldo began the 2012β13 season by lifting the
2012 Supercopa de EspaΓ±a, his third trophy in Spain. π With a goal in each leg, he helped
Madrid win the Spanish Super Cup on away goals following a 4β4 π aggregate draw against
Barcelona.[159] Although Ronaldo publicly commented that he was unhappy with a
"professional issue" within the club, prompted π by his refusal to celebrate his 150th
goal for Madrid,[160] his goalscoring rate did not suffer. After netting a hat-trick,
π including two penalties, against Deportivo, he scored his first hat-trick in the
Champions League in a 4β1 win over Ajax.[161] π Four days later, he became the first
player to score in six successive ClΓ‘sicos when he hit a brace in π a 2β2 draw at Camp
Nou.[162] His performances again saw Ronaldo voted second in the running for the 2012
FIFA π Ballon d'Or, behind four-time winner Messi.[163]
2013β2024: Consecutive Ballon
d'Or wins and La DΓ©cima
Following the 2012β13 winter break, Ronaldo captained Madrid
π for the first time in an official match, scoring twice to lift 10-man Madrid to a 4β3
win over Sociedad π on 6 January.[164] He subsequently became the first non-Spanish
player in 60 years to captain Madrid in El Clasico on π 30 January, a match which also
marked his 500th club appearance.[165] Three days prior, he had scored his 300th club
π goal as part of a perfect hat-trick against Getafe.[166] He scored his 200th goal for
Madrid on 8 May in π a 6β2 win against MΓ‘laga, reaching the landmark in 197 games.[167]
He helped Madrid reach the 2013 Copa del Rey π Final by scoring twice in El ClΓ‘sico,
which marked the sixth successive match at Camp Nou in which he had π scored,[168] a club
record.[159] In the final, he headed the opening goal of an eventual 2β1 extra time
defeat to π AtlΓ©tico, but was shown a red card for violent conduct.[169] In the first
knockout round of the Champions League, Ronaldo π faced his former club Manchester United
for the first time. After scoring the equaliser in a 1β1 draw at home,[170] π he scored
the winning goal in a 2β1 win on his first return to Old Trafford.[171] He did not
celebrate π scoring against his former club as a mark of respect.[172] After scoring
three goals against Galatasaray in the quarters, he π scored Madrid's only goal in the
4β1 away defeat to Borussia Dortmund in the semi-finals and Real were eliminated at π the
semi-final stage for the third consecutive year despite a 2β0 win in the second
leg.[173]
Ronaldo scored a record 17 π UEFA Champions League goals during the 2013β14
season en route to La DΓ©cima.
At the start of the 2013β14 season, Ronaldo π signed a new
contract that extended his stay by three years to 2024, with a salary of β¬17 million
net, π making him briefly the highest-paid player in football.[174] He was joined at the
club by winger Gareth Bale, whose world π record transfer fee of β¬100 million surpassed
the fee Madrid had paid for Ronaldo four years prior.[175] Together with striker π Karim
Benzema, they formed an attacking trio popularly dubbed "BBC", an acronym of Bale,
Benzema and Cristiano, and a play π on the name of the British public service
broadcaster, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).[176] By late November, Ronaldo
had scored π 32 goals from 22 matches for both club and country, including hat-tricks
against Galatasaray, Sevilla, Real Sociedad, Northern Ireland, and
π Sweden.[177][178][179] He ended 2013 with 69 goals in 59 appearances, his highest
year-end goal tally.[180] He received the 2013 FIFA π Ballon d'Or, an amalgamation of the
Ballon d'Or and the FIFA World Player of the Year award, for the first π time in his
career.[181]
Concurrently with his individual achievements, Ronaldo enjoyed his
greatest team success in Spain to date, as he π helped Madrid win La DΓ©cima, their tenth
European Cup. His goal in a 3β0 home win over Dortmund (his 100th π Champions League
match) took his total for the season to 14 goals, equalling the record Messi had set
two years π before.[182] After hitting a brace in a 4β0 defeat of Bayern Munich at the
Allianz Arena,[183] he scored from the π penalty spot in the 120th minute of the 4β1
final win over AtlΓ©tico, becoming the first player to score in π two European Cup finals
for two different winning teams.[184] His overall performance in the final was subdued
as a result π of patellar tendinitis and related hamstring problems, which had plagued
him in the last months of the campaign. Ronaldo played π the final against medical
advice, later commenting: "In your life you do not win without sacrifices and you must
take π risks".[185] As the competition's top goalscorer for the third time, with a record
17 goals,[186] he was named the UEFA π Best Player in Europe.[187]
In the Copa del Rey,
Ronaldo helped Madrid reach the final by scoring two penalties against AtlΓ©tico π at the
Vicente CalderΓ³n,[188] the first of which meant he had now scored in every single
minute of a 90-minute π football match.[189] His continued issues with his knee and thigh
caused him to miss the final, where Madrid defeated Barcelona π 2β1 to claim the
trophy.[190] Ronaldo scored 31 goals in 30 league games, which earned him the Pichichi
and the π European Golden Shoe, receiving the latter award jointly with Liverpool striker
Luis SuΓ‘rez.[191] Among his haul was his 400th career π goal, in 653 appearances for club
and country, which came with a brace against Celta Vigo on 6 January; he π dedicated his
goals to compatriot EusΓ©bio, who had died two days before.[192] A last-minute,
back-heeled volley scored against Valencia on π 4 May (his 50th goal in all competitions)
was recognised as the best goal of the season by the Liga π Nacional de FΓΊtbol
Profesional,[193] which additionally named Ronaldo the Best Player in La
Liga.[194]
During the 2014β15 season Ronaldo scored a π personal best of 61 goals in all
competitions.
During the 2014β15 season, Ronaldo set a new personal best of 61 goals,
π starting with both goals in Madrid's 2β0 win over Sevilla in the UEFA Super Cup.[195]
He subsequently achieved his best-ever π goalscoring start to a league campaign, with 15
goals in the first eight rounds.[196] His record 23rd La Liga hat-trick, π scored against
Celta Vigo on 6 December, made him the fastest player to reach 200 goals in La Liga,
reaching π the milestone in 178th matches.[196][197] After winning the 2014 FIFA Club
World Cup,[198] Ronaldo received the 2014 Ballon d'Or,[199] joining π Johan Cruyff,
Michel Platini and Marco van Basten as a three-time recipient.[200] Madrid finished in
second place in La Liga π and exited at the semi-final stage in the Champions
League.[201] In the latter competition, Ronaldo extended his run of scoring π away to a
record 12 matches with his strike in a 2β0 win against Schalke 04.[202] He scored both
of π his side's goals in the semi-finals against Juventus, where Madrid were eliminated
3β2 on aggregate.[203] With 10 goals, he finished π as top scorer for a third consecutive
season, alongside Messi and Neymar.[204] On 5 April, he scored five goals in π a game for
the first time in his career, including an eight-minute hat-trick, in a 9β1 rout of
Granada.[205] His π 300th goal for his club followed three days later in a 2β0 win
against Rayo Vallecano.[206] Subsequent hat-tricks against Sevilla, π Espanyol and Getafe
took his number of hat-tricks for Madrid to 31, surpassing Di StΓ©fano's club record of
28.[195] He π finished the season with 48 goals, winning a second consecutive Pichichi
and the European Golden Shoe for a record fourth π time.[195]
2024β2024: All-time Madrid
top scorer
At the start of his seventh season at Madrid, the 2024β16 campaign, Ronaldo
became the club's π all-time top scorer, first in the league and then in all
competitions. His five-goal haul in a 6β0 away win π over Espanyol on 12 September took
his tally in La Liga to 230 goals in 203 games, surpassing the club's π previous record
holder, RaΓΊl.[207] A month later, on 17 October, he again surpassed RaΓΊl when he scored
the second goal π in a 3β0 defeat of Levante at the BernabΓ©u to take his overall total
for the club to 324 goals.[note π 4] Ronaldo also became the all-time top scorer in the
Champions League with a hat-trick in the first group match π against Shakhtar Donetsk,
having finished the previous season level with Messi on 77 goals.[209] Two goals
against MalmΓΆ FF in π a 2β0 away win on 30 September saw him reach the milestone of 500
career goals for club and country.[210] π He subsequently became the first player to
score double figures in the competition's group stage, setting the record at 11 π goals,
including another four-goal haul against MalmΓΆ.[211]
By March 2024, Ronaldo had scored
252 goals in 228 matches in La Liga π to become the competition's second-highest
goalscorer.
Ronaldo's four goals in a 7β1 home win over Celta de Vigo on 5 March π 2024
took his total to 252 goals in La Liga, becoming the competition's second-highest
scorer in history behind Messi.[212] He π scored a hat-trick against VfL Wolfsburg to
send his club into the Champions League semi-finals.[213] The treble took his tally π in
the competition to 16 goals, making him the top scorer for the fourth consecutive
season and the fifth overall.[214] π Suffering apparent fitness issues, Ronaldo gave a
poorly-received performance in the final against AtlΓ©tico, in a repeat of the 2014
π final, though his penalty in the subsequent shoot-out secured Madrid's 11th
victory.[215] For the sixth successive year, he ended the π season having scored over 50
goals across all competitions.[215] For his efforts during the season, he received the
UEFA Best π Player in Europe Award for a second time.[216]
Ronaldo missed Madrid's first
three matches of the 2024β17 season, including the 2024 π UEFA Super Cup against Sevilla,
as he continued to rehabilitate the knee injury he suffered against France in the Euro
π 2024 final.[217] On 15 September, he did not celebrate his late free kick equaliser
against Sporting CP in the Champions π League, with Ronaldo stating post match that "they
made me who I am".[218] On 7 November, his contract was updated π for the second time and
extended by three years to 2024.[219] On 19 November, he scored a hat-trick in a π 3β0
away win against AtlΓ©tico, making him the all-time top scorer in the Madrid derby with
18 goals.[220] On 15 π December, Ronaldo scored his 500th club career goal in the 2β0 win
over Club AmΓ©rica in the semi-finals of the π 2024 FIFA Club World Cup.[221] He then
scored a hat-trick in the 4β2 win over Japanese club Kashima Antlers in π the final.[222]
Ronaldo finished the tournament as top scorer with four goals and was also named player
of the tournament.[223] π He won the 2024 Ballon d'Or, his fourth, and the inaugural 2024
The Best FIFA Men's Player, a revival of π the former FIFA World Player of the Year,
largely owing to his success with Portugal in winning Euro 2024.[224]
In the π 2024β17
UEFA Champions League quarter-finals against Bayern in April, Ronaldo scored both goals
in a 2β1 away win which saw π him make history by becoming the first player to reach 100
goals in UEFA club competition.[225] In the second leg π of the quarter-finals, Ronaldo
scored a 'perfect' hat-trick and reached his 100th Champions League goal, becoming the
first player to π do so as Madrid again defeated Bayern 4β2 after extra-time.[226] On 2
May, Ronaldo scored another hat-trick as Madrid defeated π AtlΓ©tico 3β0 in the Champions
League semi-final first leg. On 17 May, Ronaldo overtook Jimmy Greaves as the all-time
top π scorer in the top five European leagues, scoring twice against Celta de Vigo.[227]
He finished the season with 42 goals π in all competitions as he helped Madrid to win
their first La Liga title since 2012.[228] In the Champions League π Final, Ronaldo
scored two goals in a 4β1 victory over Juventus to take him to 12 goals for the season,
π making him the competition's top goalscorer for the fifth straight season (sixth
overall), as well as the first player to π score in three finals in the Champions League
era; the second goal was the 600th of his senior career.[229] Madrid π also became the
first team to win back-to-back finals in the Champions League era.[230]
2024β2024:
Fifth Ballon d'Or and fifth Champions π League win
At the start of the 2024β18 season,
Ronaldo scored Madrid's second goal in the 80th minute of a 3β1 π win over Barcelona in
the first leg of the 2024 Supercopa de EspaΓ±a at Camp Nou; however, he was sent π off two
minutes later and missed the second leg.[231] On 23 October, his performances
throughout 2024 saw him awarded The π Best FIFA Men's Player award for the second
consecutive year.[232] On 6 December, he became the first player to score π in all six
Champions League group stage matches with a curling strike at home to Dortmund.[233] A
day later, Ronaldo π won the 2024 Ballon d'Or, receiving his fifth-time award on the
Eiffel Tower in Paris.[234] On 16 December, he scored π a free kick winner, as Madrid won
their second Club World Cup in a row by beating GrΓͺmio in the π final.[235] On 3 March
2024, he scored two goals in a 3β1 home win over Getafe, his first being his π 300th La
Liga goal in his 286th appearance, making him the fastest player to reach this landmark
and only the π second player to do so after Messi.[236] On 18 March, he reached his 50th
career hat-trick, scoring four goals in π a 6β3 win against Girona.[237]
Ronaldo in the
2024 UEFA Champions League Final, his final game for Real Madrid
On 3 April, π Ronaldo
scored the first two goals in a 3β0 away win against Juventus in the quarter-finals of
the 2024β18 UEFA π Champions League, with his second goal being an acrobatic bicycle
kick. Described as a "PlayStation goal" by Juventus defender Andrea π Barzagli, with
Ronaldo's foot approximately 7 ft 7 in (2.31 m) off the ground, it garnered him a
standing ovation π from the opposing fans in the stadium as well as a plethora of
plaudits from peers, pundits and coaches.[238] On π 11 April, he scored in the second leg
at home to Juventus, a 98th-minute injury time penalty in a 3β1 π defeat, meaning Madrid
advanced 4β3 on aggregate.[239] It was his tenth goal against Juventus, a Champions
League record against a π single club.[240] In the final on 26 May, Madrid defeated
Liverpool 3β1, winning Ronaldo his fifth Champions League title, the π first player to do
so.[241] He finished as the top scorer of the tournament for the sixth consecutive
season with π 15 goals.[242] After the final, Ronaldo referred to his time with Madrid in
the past tense, sparking speculation that he π could leave the
club.[243]
Juventus
Despite months of negotiation to sign a new Real Madrid
contract,[244] on 10 July 2024, Ronaldo signed π a four-year contract with Italian club
Juventus after completing a β¬100 million transfer, which included an additional β¬12
million in π other fees and solidarity contributions to Ronaldo's youth clubs.[245] The
transfer was the highest ever for a player over 30 π years old,[246] and the highest paid
by an Italian club.[247] Upon signing, Ronaldo cited his need for a new challenge π as
his rationale for departing Madrid,[248] but later attributed the transfer to the lack
of support he felt was shown π by club president Florentino PΓ©rez.[249]
2024β2024:
Consecutive Serie A titles
On 18 August, Ronaldo made his debut in a 3β2 away win
π against Chievo Verona.[250] On 16 September, Ronaldo scored his first two goals for
Juventus in his fourth appearance in a π 2β1 home win over Sassuolo in Serie A; his
second was the 400th league goal of his career.[251] On 19 π September, in his first
Champions League match for Juventus, against Valencia, he was sent off in the 29th
minute for π "violent conduct", his first red card in 154 tournament appearances.[252]
Ronaldo became the first player in history to win 100 π Champions League matches, setting
up Mario MandΕΎukiΔ's winner in a 1β0 home win over Valencia, which sealed Juventus's
passage to π the knock-out stages of the competition.[253] In December, he scored his
tenth league goal of the season, from the penalty π spot, the third in a 3β0 away win
over Fiorentina.[254] After placing second in both the UEFA Men's Player of π the Year
and The Best FIFA Men's Player for the first time in three years, behind Luka ModriΔ,
Ronaldo performances π in 2024 also saw him voted runner-up for the 2024 Ballon d'Or,
finishing once again behind his former teammate.[255] Ronaldo π won his first trophy with
the club on 16 January 2024, the 2024 Supercoppa Italiana, after he scored the only
π goal from a header against AC Milan.[256]
On 10 February, Ronaldo scored in a 3β0 win
over Sassuolo, the ninth consecutive π away game in which he had scored in the league,
equalling Giuseppe Signori's single season Serie A record of most π consecutive away
games with at least one goal.[257] On 12 March, Ronaldo scored a hat-trick in a 3β0
home win π against AtlΓ©tico in the second leg of the Champions League round of 16,
helping Juventus overcome a two-goal deficit to π reach the quarter-finals.[258] The
following month, he scored his 125th goal in the competition, opening the scoring in a
1β1 π away draw in the quarter-final first leg against Ajax on 10 April.[259] In the
second leg in Turin on 16 π April, he scored the opening goal, but Juventus eventually
lost the match 2β1 and were eliminated from the competition.[260] On π 20 April, Ronaldo
played in the scudetto clinching game against Fiorentina, as Juventus won their eighth
successive title after a π 2β1 home win, thereby becoming the first player to win league
titles in England, Spain and Italy.[261] On 27 April, π he scored his 600th club goal,
the equaliser in a 1β1 away draw against Derby d'Italia rivals Inter Milan.[262] Ending
π his first Serie A campaign with 21 goals and 8 assists, Ronaldo won the inaugural Serie
A award for Most π Valuable Player.[263]
Ronaldo playing for Juventus against Torino in
November 2024
Ronaldo scored his first goal of the 2024β20 season in a π 4β3 home league
win over Napoli on 31 August 2024.[264] On 23 September, he came in 3rd place for the
π Best FIFA Men's Player Award.[265] On 1 October, he reached several milestones in
Juventus's 3β0 Champions League group stage win π over Bayer Leverkusen: he scored in a
14th consecutive season, equalling RaΓΊl and Messi's record; he broke Iker Casillas'
record π for most Champions League wins of all time, and equalled RaΓΊl's record of
scoring against 33 different opponents.[266] On 6 π November in a 2β1 away win against
Lokomotiv Moscow, he equalled Paolo Maldini as the second-most capped player in UEFA
π club competitions with 174 appearances.[267] On 18 December, Ronaldo leapt to a height
of 8 ft 5 in (2.57 m), π higher than the crossbar, to head the winning goal in a 2β1 away
win against Sampdoria.[268] He scored his first π Serie A hat-trick on 6 January 2024, in
a 4β0 home win against Cagliari. His 56th career hat-trick, he became π only the second
player after Alexis SΓ‘nchez to score hat-tricks in the Premier League, La Liga and
Serie A.[269] On π 2 February, he scored twice from the penalty spot in a 3β0 home win
over Fiorentina, equalling David Trezeguet's club π record of scoring in nine consecutive
league games,[270] and broke the record six days later by scoring in his tenth
π consecutive league game, a 2β1 away defeat to Hellas Verona.[271] On 22 February,
Ronaldo scored for a record-equalling 11th consecutive π league game, alongside Gabriel
Batistuta and Fabio Quagliarella, in what was his 1,000th senior professional game, a
2β1 away win π against SPAL.[272]
On 22 June, he scored a penalty in a 2β0 away win over
Bologna, overtaking Rui Costa to become π the highest scoring Portuguese player in Serie
A history.[273] On 4 July, he scored his 25th league goal from a π free kick in a 4β1
home win over rivals Torino, becoming the first Juventus player to achieve this
milestone since π Omar SΓvori in 1961; the goal was also his first from a free kick with
the club after 43 attempts.[274] π On 20 July, Ronaldo scored twice in a 2β1 home win
over Lazio; his first goal was his 50th in π Serie A. He became the second-fastest player
to reach this landmark, after Gunnar Nordahl, and the first player in history π to reach
50 goals in the Premier League, La Liga and Serie A. With his brace, he also reached 30
π league goals for the season, becoming just the third player (after Felice Borel in 1934
and John Hansen in 1952) π in Juventus's history to reach that milestone in a
season.[275][276] Moreover, he became the oldest player, at the age of π 35 years and 166
days, to score over 30 goals in one of the five top European leagues since Ronnie π Rooke
with Arsenal in 1948.[277] On 26 July, Ronaldo scored the opening goal in a 2β0 home
win over Sampdoria π as Juventus were crowned Serie A champions for a ninth consecutive
time.[278] He finished his second league campaign with 31 π goals, making him the
second-highest goalscorer in the league behind only European Golden Shoe winner Ciro
Immobile, with 36 goals.[279][280] π On 7 August, Ronaldo scored a brace in a 2β1 home
win against Lyon in the second leg of the π Champions League round of 16, which saw him
finish the season with 37 goals in all competitions; the tally allowed π him to break
Borel's club record of 36 goals in a single season.[281] Despite the win, the tie
finished 2β2 π on aggregate and Juventus were eliminated from the competition on the away
goals rule.[282]
2024β2024: 100 Juve goals, Capocannoniere, and departure
On π 20
September 2024, Ronaldo scored in Juventus's opening league match of the season, a 3β0
home win over Sampdoria.[283] On π 1 November, having taken nearly three weeks to recover
from COVID-19, he returned to action against Spezia; he came off π the bench in the
second half and scored within the first three minutes, before scoring a second goal
from the π penalty spot in an eventual 4β1 away win.[284] On 2 December, he scored a goal
against Dynamo Kyiv in a π Champions League group stage match, his 750th senior career
goal.[285] Ronaldo played his 100th match in all competitions for Juventus π on 13
December, scoring two penalties in a 3β1 away win over Genoa in the league to bring his
goal π tally to 79.[286] On 20 January 2024, Juventus won the 2024 Supercoppa Italiana
after a 2β0 win against Napoli, with π Ronaldo scoring the opening goal.[287] On 2 March,
he scored a goal in a 3β0 win over Spezia in his π 600th league match, to become the
first player to score at least 20 goals in 12 consecutive seasons in the π top five
leagues of Europe.[288] On 14 March, he scored his 57th career hat-trick in a 3β1 away
win over π Cagliari.[289] On 12 May, Ronaldo scored a goal in a 3β1 away win over
Sassuolo to reach his 100th goal π for Juventus in all competitions on his 131st
appearance, becoming the fastest Juventus player to achieve the feat.[290] With
Juventus's π victory in the 2024 Coppa Italia Final on 19 May, Ronaldo became the first
player in history to win every π major domestic trophy in England, Spain and Italy.[291]
Ronaldo ended the season with 29 league goals, winning the Capocannoniere award π for
highest goalscorer and becoming the first footballer to finish as top scorer in the
English, Spanish and Italian leagues.[292]
On π 22 August, Ronaldo started the first game
of the new season on the bench, coming on as a substitute for π Γlvaro Morata in a 2β2
draw against Udinese, scoring a goal that was ruled out by VAR.[293] Though manager
Massimiliano π Allegri confirmed it was his decision due to Ronaldo's fitness, it came
amid reports Ronaldo would depart the club before π the closure of the transfer
window,[294] and Ronaldo would tell Allegri he had "no intention" of remaining a
Juventus player.[295] π On 26 August, Ronaldo and his agent Jorge Mendes reached a verbal
agreement with Manchester City over personal terms,[296] but π the club pulled out of the
deal the following day due to the overall cost of the transfer.[297] On the π same day,
it was confirmed that City's rivals Manchester United, Ronaldo's former club, were in
advanced talks to sign him,[298][299] π while former manager Alex Ferguson and several
ex-teammates had been in contact to persuade him to re-sign for
United.[300][301]
Return to π Manchester United
2024β2024: 100 Premier League goals and
team struggles
On 27 August 2024, Manchester United announced they had reached an
agreement π with Juventus to re-sign Ronaldo, subject to agreement of personal terms,
visa and medical.[302] The transfer was for an initial π Β£12.85 million, with a two-year
contract plus an optional year, and was confirmed on 31 August.[303] Ronaldo was given
the π number 7 shirt after Edinson Cavani agreed to switch to 21.[304] The first 24 hours
of Ronaldo's shirt sales was π reported to have broken the all-time record following a
transfer, overtaking Messi after his move to Paris Saint-Germain.[305]
Ronaldo in a
π Premier League match against Newcastle in September 2024, his first game back at
Manchester United
On 11 September, Ronaldo made his π second debut at Old Trafford,
scoring the opening two goals in a 4β1 league victory against Newcastle United.[306] On
29 π September, he scored a last-minute winner in United's 2β1 victory at home to
Villarreal in the Champions League, and overtook π Iker Casillas as the player with the
most appearances in the competition.[307] In the next Champions League fixture on 20
π October, Ronaldo again scored a last minute winner, helping United overturn a two-goal
deficit in a 3β2 home victory against π Atalanta,[308] and scored both goals, including a
last minute equaliser, in the reverse fixture against Atalanta on 2 November.[309] On
π 23 November, Ronaldo became the first player to score in five consecutive matches of a
Champions League campaign for an π English club, after opening United's 2β0 victory away
against Villarreal, with his six goals being crucial to United's qualifying for π the
round of 16 as group winners.[310] On 2 December, Ronaldo netted two goals in a 3β2
home league win π against Arsenal, which saw him surpass 800 career goals.[311]
The
following month, after enduring a fractured relationship with his teammates and π interim
manager Ralf Rangnick, his performances and his team's declined during the season, with
Ronaldo equalling his worst goalscoring run π since 2010 during his time with Real
Madrid, being two months without scoring a goal,[312] before scoring his first goal π in
the new year, opening United's 2β0 win home against Brighton & Hove Albion on 15
February 2024.[313] Following a π hamstring injury, which saw him miss the Manchester
derby against Manchester City, Ronaldo made his return from injury on 12 π March, scoring
a hat-trick in a 3β2 victory against Tottenham Hotspur, which saw him pass Josef
Bican's record for goals π scored in professional football with 807 career goals,[314]
although the Football Association of the Czech Republic claimed that Bican had π scored
821 career goals.[315] On 16 April, Ronaldo scored his 50th club hat-trick in a 3β2 win
over Norwich City.[316] π On 23 April, he scored his 100th Premier League goal in a 3β1
defeat to Arsenal.[317] After scoring in the π following matches against Chelsea and
Brentford, he was named the Premier League Player of the Month for April.[318]
He
finished the π season with 24 goals in all competitions, 18 of those goals being in the
Premier League, making him the third-highest π goalscorer in the league behind Golden
Boot winners Mohamed Salah and Son Heung-min, being named in the Premier League Team π of
the Year and the winner of United's Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award, given to
the club's π best player from the previous season;[319][320] however, with United
finishing in a disappointing sixth place and qualifying for the UEFA π Europa League,
Ronaldo went trophyless for the first time since 2010.[321]
2024: Final season and
departure
After growing dissatisfaction with the direction π of United on and off the
field, Ronaldo missed the club's pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia due to
family π reasons, amid reports of his desire to leave to join a club competing in the
Champions League, despite incoming manager π Erik ten Hag insisting that he was not for
sale and was part of the club's plans.[322] His agent Jorge π Mendes began negotiating
with various clubs for a transfer on loan or on a free transfer, including Bayern
Munich, Paris π Saint-Germain and Chelsea, with the latter club's new owner Todd Boehly
being keen on a possible transfer.[323] However, due to π his age, overall cost of a
transfer and high wages demands, multiple European clubs rejected the opportunity to
sign him, π including Chelsea after their manager Thomas Tuchel did not approve his
signing.[324]
Ronaldo in a Premier League match against Brighton & π Hove Albion in
August 2024
Having failed to secure a transfer, Ronaldo lost his place in the starting
line-up to Marcus π Rashford and Anthony Martial, mostly featuring in Europa League
matches. He scored his first goal in the competition aged 37, π converting a penalty to
make it 2β0 against Sheriff Tiraspol on 15 September.[325] On 2 October, Ronaldo was an
unused π substitute in United's 6β3 loss to Manchester City, with ten Hag saying that he
refused to bring him on out π of "respect for his big career".[326] On 9 October, Ronaldo
came on as a substitute and scored his 700th career π club goal in a 2β1 win against
Everton.[327] Ten days later, Ronaldo refused to be brought on as a substitute π during a
home game against Tottenham and left the ground before the full-time whistle;[328][329]
Ten Hag punished him by dropping π him from the squad for an upcoming fixture with
Chelsea, and made him train separately from the first team.[330][331] Following
π discussions with the manager, Ronaldo returned to training and started in United's home
win over Sheriff on 27 October, scoring π the third goal and ensuring United's
qualification to the Europa League knockout stage.[332] Ten Hag named Ronaldo as
captain for π a 3β1 defeat to Aston Villa on 6 November, saying that Ronaldo was "an
important part of the squad, we π are happy with him and now he has to take even more of
the leader role".[333] Ronaldo then missed United's π following matches before the World
Cup break, with Ten Hag saying that Ronaldo was ill.[334]
On 14 November, an interview
with π Piers Morgan was published, where Ronaldo said that he felt "betrayed" by Ten Hag
and senior executives who wanted Ronaldo π to leave the club, and accused the club of
doubting him regarding the illness of his daughter that led him π to miss pre-season,
adding that he did not respect ten Hag "because he doesn't show respect for me",
leading him π to be disappointed with the communication of the club.[335] Ronaldo claimed
that ten Hag deliberately provoked him by first leaving π him on the bench against City,
and then wanting to bring him on in the final moments against Tottenham, but π added that
he regretted his decision to leave early.[335] He also questioned the appointment of
Rangnick the previous season as π he was a "sporting director and not even a
coach".[335][336] On the club itself, Ronaldo stated there was "no evolution" π since the
departure of former manager Alex Ferguson in 2013, despite expecting changes in
"technology, infrastructure".[335][336] Ronaldo claimed that the π Glazer family "did not
care about the club" as he never spoke with them, and described United as a "marketing
π club".[335][336] Following the interview, which aired in two-parts on 16 and 17
November, United began seeking legal action over whether π Ronaldo had breached his
contract,[337] and were looking to terminate his contract.[338] On 22 November,
Ronaldo's contract was terminated by π mutual agreement with immediate effect.[339]
Al
Nassr
On 30 December 2024, Saudi club Al Nassr reached an agreement for Ronaldo to join
π the club effective 1 January 2024, signing a contract until 2025.[340] As reported by
Fabrizio Romano of The Guardian, Ronaldo π received the highest football salary in
history, worth β¬200 million per year;[341][342] this included an annual guaranteed
football salary of π β¬90 million, with commercial and sponsorship deals included bringing
his total annual salary to β¬200 million. He was also reportedly π paid a signing-on bonus
in the region of β¬100 million.[343] According to Romano, Ronaldo rejected a move to
Major League π Soccer club Sporting Kansas City to join Al Nassr.[344]
2024: Debut season
and league runner-up
Ronaldo was due to appear in a π match against Al-Tai on 5 January
2024, but had to serve a two-match ban incurred while he was still at π Manchester United
for knocking a phone out of a 14-year-old Everton fan's hand after a 1β0 loss at
Goodison Park π in April 2024.[345] On 19 January, Ronaldo played for the first time
since transferring to Saudi Arabia, in an exhibition π game featuring a combined team of
Riyadh's Al Nassr and Al Hilal players against Paris Saint-Germain. Ronaldo scored
twice in π a 5β4 loss.[346] He made his debut for Al Nassr on 22 January, as club
captain, playing the full 90 π minutes of a 1β0 win over Al-Ettifaq,[347] and scored his
first goal in a 2β2 draw against Al-Fateh by converting π a last-minute penalty.[348] On
9 February, Ronaldo scored all four goals in a 4β0 win over Al Wehda, his first π goal of
the match being his 500th career league goal.[349] On 25 February, he scored his second
hat-trick for the π club, helping his side to a 3β0 away league victory against
Damac.[350] Ronaldo was awarded the Player of the Month π award for February after
scoring eight goals and assisting twice.[351] Ronaldo spent another season without
winning a league title, as π Al Nassr finished second in the league in the 2024β23
season.[352]
2024βpresent: Arab Club Champions Cup winner
Ronaldo's signing for
Al-Nassr resulted π in increased popularity both domestically and internationally of the
Saudi Pro League, with various European players such as Karim Benzema, π Sadio ManΓ©,
N'Golo KantΓ©, RΓΊben Neves, Riyad Mahrez, Roberto Firmino and Neymar moving to the Saudi
Pro League during the π summer transfer window, crediting Ronaldo as one of the main
factors for moving to the league.[353]
Ronaldo with Al-Nassr in a π AFC Champions League
match against Persepolis in September 2024
He scored his first goal of the 2024β24
season in a 4β1 π win over Union Monastirienne in the Arab Club Champions Cup on 31
July.[354] In the next Arab Club Champions Cup π fixture on 3 August, Ronaldo scored a
late equaliser against Zamalek, to help his side secure a 1β1 draw and π qualify for the
quarter-finals in second place of their group.[355] In the semi-finals on 9 August,
Ronaldo scored the only π goal of a win over Al-Shorta, converting a penalty to help Al
Nassr reach their first ever Arab Club Champions π Cup final.[356] In the final on 12
August, Ronaldo scored both goals for a ten-man Al Nassr as they defeated π rivals
Al-Hilal 2β1 after extra time to win the competition for the first time in their
history. Ronaldo was awarded π the competition's top scorer award having scored six goals
in the competition.[357]
On 18 August, Ronaldo made his first league appearance π of the
season in a 2β0 defeat to Al-Taawoun,[358] and scored his first hat-trick of the season
in a 5β0 π away win against Al-Fateh a week later.[359] On 29 August, Ronaldo scored
twice and assisted once in a 4β0 win π against rivals Al-Shabab.[360] Ronaldo was awarded
the SPL Player of the Month award for August after scoring five goals and π assisting
twice.[361] On 2 September, he scored a goal in Al-Nassr's 5β1 away win against
Al-Hazem, his 850th senior career π goal.[362] On 19 September, Ronaldo made his AFC
Champions League debut, starting in a 2β0 win over Persepolis, becoming the π first
player in football history to record 1000 career games unbeaten (776 wins and 224
draws).[363] Ronaldo received the SPL π Player of the Month award for a second
consecutive month after recording five goals and three assists in September.[364] On π 2
October, he scored his first AFC Champions League goal in the home fixture against
Istiklol, the equaliser in an π eventual 3β1 win.[365]
International career
2001β2007:
Youth level and senior debut
Ronaldo (bottom left) playing for Portugal during their
semi-final match against the π Netherlands at Euro 2004
Ronaldo began his international
career with Portugal under-15 in 2001. During his international youth career, Ronaldo
would π represent the under-15, under-17, under-20, under-21 and under-23 national sides,
amassing 34 youth caps and scoring 18 goals overall.[7]
Aged 18, π Ronaldo made his first
senior appearance for Portugal in a 1β0 win over Kazakhstan on 20 August 2003,[366]
coming on π as a half-time substitute for LuΓs Figo.[367] He was subsequently called up
for UEFA Euro 2004, held in his home π country, and scored his first international goal
in a 2β1 group stage loss to eventual champions Greece, his eighth appearance π for
Portugal.[367] After converting his penalty in a shoot-out against England in the
quarter-finals,[368] he helped Portugal reach the final π by scoring the opening goal in
a 2β1 win over the Netherlands.[369] He was featured in the team of the π tournament,
having provided two assists in addition to his two goals.[370]
Ronaldo was Portugal's
second-highest scorer in their qualification group for π the 2006 FIFA World Cup with
seven goals.[366] During the tournament, he scored his first World Cup goal against
Iran π with a penalty kick in Portugal's second match of the group stage.[371] At the age
of 21 years and 132 π days, Ronaldo became the youngest ever goalscorer for Portugal at a
World Cup finals.[372] In Portugal's infamously dirty round of π 16 match against the
Netherlands, Ronaldo was forced off injured in the first half after a tackle from Dutch
defender π Khalid Boulahrouz.[367] Following Portugal's 1β0 win, Ronaldo accused
Boulahrouz of intentionally trying to injure him, although he recovered in time π to play
in the next game.[373] In Portugal's quarter-final against England, Ronaldo's
Manchester United teammate Wayne Rooney was sent off π for stamping on Portugal defender
Ricardo Carvalho. Although the referee later clarified that the red card was only due
to π Rooney's infraction,[374] the English media speculated that Ronaldo had influenced
his decision by aggressively complaining, after which he was seen π in replays winking at
Portugal's bench following Rooney's dismissal.[367][375] Ronaldo went on to score the
vital winning penalty during the π shoot-out which sent Portugal into the
semi-finals.[367] Ronaldo was subsequently booed during their 1β0 semi-final defeat to
France.[376] FIFA's Technical π Study Group overlooked him for the tournament's Best
Young Player award and handed it to Germany's Lukas Podolski, citing his π behaviour as a
factor in the decision.[367][377] Following the 2006 World Cup, Ronaldo would go on to
represent Portugal in π four qualifying games for Euro 2008, scoring two goals in the
process.[378][379]
2007β2012: Assuming the captaincy
Ronaldo, pictured playing against
Germany at π Euro 2012, was made captain for Portugal in 2008.
One day after turning 22,
Ronaldo captained Portugal for the first time π in a friendly game against Brazil on 6
February 2007,[380] as requested by Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) president
Carlos Silva, π who had died two days earlier.[380] Ahead of Euro 2008, he was given the
number 7 shirt for the first π time.[381] While he scored eight goals in
qualifications,[382] the second-highest tally, he scored just one goal in the
tournament, netting π the second goal of their 3β1 win in the group stage match against
the Czech Republic. In the same game, π he also set-up Portugal's third goal in injury
time, which was scored by Quaresma, and was named man of the π match for his
performance.[383][384] Portugal were eliminated in the quarter-finals with a 3β2 loss
against eventual finalists Germany.[385]
After Portugal's unsuccessful π performance at
Euro 2008, Luiz Felipe Scolari was replaced as coach by Carlos Queiroz, formerly the
assistant manager at United.[386] π Queiroz made Ronaldo the squad's permanent captain in
July 2008.[387] Ronaldo failed to score a single goal in the qualification π for the 2010
World Cup,[367] as Portugal narrowly avoided a premature elimination from the
tournament with a play-off victory over π Bosnia and Herzegovina.[388] In the group stage
of the World Cup, he was named man of the match in all π three matches, against Ivory
Coast, North Korea and Brazil.[389][390][391] His only goal of the tournament came in
their 7β0 rout π of North Korea, which marked his first international goal in 16
months.[392] Portugal's World Cup ended with a 1β0 loss π against eventual champions
Spain in the round of 16.[393]
Ronaldo scored seven goals in qualifications for Euro
2012, including two strikes π against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the play-offs, to send
Portugal into the tournament, where they were drawn in a "group π of death".[394] In the
last group stage game against the Netherlands, Ronaldo scored twice to secure a 2β1
win.[395] He π scored a header in the quarter-final against the Czech Republic to give
his team a 1β0 win.[396] In both games π against the Netherlands and the Czech Republic
he was named man of the match.[397][398] After the semi-finals against Spain ended
π scoreless, Portugal were eliminated in the penalty shoot-out.[399] Ronaldo did not take
a penalty as he had been slated to π take the unused fifth slot.[400] Ronaldo's own
teammate, Nani, said that Ronaldo "demanded" to take the last penalty.[401] As the
π joint top scorer with three goals, alongside five other players, he was again included
in the team of the tournament.[8]
2012β2024: π All-time Portugal top scorer and European
champion
Ronaldo evading Luka ModriΔ during a friendly match against Croatia in
2013
During the qualification π for the 2014 World Cup, Ronaldo scored a total of eight
goals. A qualifying match on 17 October 2012, a π 1β1 draw against Northern Ireland,
earned him his 100th cap.[402] His first international hat-trick also came against
Northern Ireland, when π he scored three times in a 15-minute spell of a 4β2 qualifying
win on 6 September 2013.[403] After Portugal failed π to qualify during the regular
campaign, Ronaldo scored all four of the team's goals in the play-offs against Sweden,
billed π as a battle between Ronaldo and Zlatan IbrahimoviΔ, which ensured their place at
the tournament.[404] His hat-trick in the second π leg took his international tally to 47
goals, equalling Pauleta's record.[405] Ronaldo subsequently scored twice in a 5β1
friendly win π over Cameroon on 5 March 2014 to become his country's all-time top
scorer.[406]
Ronaldo took part in the tournament despite suffering π from patellar
tendinitis and a related thigh injury,[407] potentially risking his career.[408]
Ronaldo later commented: "If we had two or π three Cristiano Ronaldos in the team I would
feel more comfortable. But we don't."[409] Despite ongoing doubts over his fitness,
π being forced to abort practice twice,[410] Ronaldo played the full 90 minutes of the
opening match against Germany, although he π was unable to prevent a 4β0 defeat.[411]
After assisting an injury-time 2β2 equaliser against the United States,[412] he scored
a π late match-winning goal in a 2β1 win over Ghana.[413] His 50th international goal
made him the first Portuguese to play π and score in three World Cups.[414] Portugal were
eliminated from the tournament at the close of the group stage on π goal
difference.[413]
Ronaldo leaps in the air in Portugal's Euro 2024 quarter-final match
against Poland.
Ronaldo scored five goals, including a hat-trick π against Armenia, in
the qualification for Euro 2024.[415] With the only goal in another win over Armenia on
14 November π 2014, he reached 23 goals in the UEFA European Championship, including
qualifying matches, to become the competition's all-time leading goalscorer.[416] π At
the start of the tournament, Ronaldo failed to convert his chances in Portugal's draws
against Iceland and Austria, despite π taking 20 shots on goal. In the latter match, he
overtook Figo as Portugal's most capped player with his 128th π international appearance,
which ended scoreless after he missed a penalty in the second half.[417] With two goals
in the last π match of the group stage, a 3β3 draw against Hungary, Ronaldo became the
first player to score in four European π Championships, having made a record 17
appearances in the tournament.[418][419] Although placed third in their group behind
Hungary and Iceland, π his team qualified for the knockout round as a result of the
competition's newly expanded format,[420] despite not winning any π of their
games.[367]
In Portugal's first knockout match, Ronaldo's only attempt on goal was
parried by Croatia's goalkeeper Danijel SubaΕ‘iΔ into π the path of Ricardo Quaresma,
whose finish then secured a 1β0 win late in extra time.[367] After his team progressed
π past Poland on penalties, with Ronaldo scoring Portugal's opening penalty,[367] he
became the first player to participate in three European π Championship semi-finals;[421]
he scored the opener in a 2β0 win against Wales, equalling Michel Platini as the
competition's all-time top π scorer with nine goals.[422] In the final against hosts
France, Ronaldo was forced off after just 25 minutes following a π challenge from Dimitri
Payet, despite multiple treatments and attempts to play on,[367] he was stretchered off
the pitch and replaced π by Quaresma. During extra time, substitute Eder scored in the
109th minute to earn Portugal a 1β0 victory.[423] As team π captain, Ronaldo lifted the
trophy in celebration of his country's first triumph in a major tournament. He was
awarded the π Silver Boot as the joint second-highest goalscorer, with three goals and
three assists, and was named to the team of π the tournament for the third time in his
career.[424][425]
2024β2024: Post-European Championship victory and World Cup
Following
the Euro 2024 success, Ronaldo π played his first professional match on his home island
of Madeira on 28 March 2024 at age 32, opening a π 2β3 friendly defeat to Sweden at the
EstΓ‘dio dos Barreiros. With the goal, he tied with Miroslav Klose on 71 π goals as the
third-highest scoring European in international football.[426]
In Portugal's opening
match of the 2024 FIFA Confederations Cup against Mexico π on 17 June, Ronaldo set up
Quaresma's opening goal in a 2β2 draw.[427] Three days later, he scored in a π 1β0 win
over hosts Russia.[428] On 24 June, he scored from a penalty in a 4β0 win over New
Zealand, π which saw Portugal top their group and advance to the semi-finals of the
competition; with his 75th international goal, Ronaldo π also equalled SΓ‘ndor Kocsis as
the second-highest European international goalscorer of all time, behind only Ferenc
PuskΓ‘s.[429][430] He was named π man of the match in all three of Portugal's group stage
matches.[431] Ronaldo left the competition early; after Chile defeated π Portugal 3β0 on
penalties in the semi-finals, he was allowed to return home to be with his newborn
children,[432] and π missed Portugal's third-place play-off match in which Portugal
defeated Mexico 2β1 after extra time.[433]
Ronaldo evades an Iran defender in the π group
stage of the 2024 World Cup.
On 31 August 2024, Ronaldo scored a hat-trick in a 5β1 win
in a π 2024 World Cup qualifying match over the Faroe Islands, which saw him overtake
PelΓ© and equal Hussein Saeed as the π joint-fifth-highest goalscorer in international
football with 78 goals.[434] These goals brought his tally in the World Cup qualifiers
to 14, π equalling Predrag MijatoviΔ's record for most goals in a single UEFA qualifying
campaign, and also saw him break the record π for the most goals scored in a European
qualifying group, overtaking the previous record of 13 goals set by David π Healy and
Robert Lewandowski. Ronaldo's hat-trick took his World Cup qualifying goals total to
29, making him the highest scorer π in UEFA qualifiers, ahead of Andriy Shevchenko, and
the highest goalscorer in World Cup qualifying and finals matches combined with π 32
goals, ahead of Miroslav Klose.[435] Ronaldo later added to this tally by scoring a
goal against Andorra in a π 2β0 win.[436]
On 15 June 2024, Ronaldo became the oldest
player to score a hat-trick in a FIFA World Cup match, π helping Portugal secure a 3β3
draw against Spain (his third goal a 30-yard curling free kick with two minutes
remaining) π in their opening match. In doing so, he became the first Portuguese player
to score a goal in four World π Cups and one of four players of any nationality to do
so.[437] On 20 June, Ronaldo scored the only goal π in a 1β0 win against Morocco,
breaking PuskΓ‘s' record as the highest European goalscorer of all time, with 85
international π goals.[438] In the final group match against Iran on 25 June, Ronaldo
missed a penalty in an eventual 1β1 draw π which saw Portugal progress to the second
round as group runners-up behind Spain.[439] On 30 June, Portugal were eliminated
following π a 2β1 defeat to Uruguay in the last 16.[440] For his performances in the
tournament, Ronaldo was named in the π World Cup Dream Team.[441]
2024β2024: Nations
League title and 100 international goals
After the World Cup, Ronaldo missed six
international matches, including π the entire league phase of the 2024β19 UEFA Nations
League, but played for hosts Portugal in the inaugural Nations League π Finals in June
2024. In the semi-finals on 5 June, he scored a hat-trick against Switzerland to reach
the final. π Upon scoring the opening goal, he became the first player to score in 10
consecutive international competitions, breaking the record π he previously shared with
Ghana's Asamoah Gyan.[442] In the final of the tournament four days later, Portugal
defeated the Netherlands π 1β0.[443]
On 10 September 2024, Ronaldo scored four goals in a
5β1 away win over Lithuania in a Euro 2024 qualifying π match;[444] in the process, he
overtook Robbie Keane (23 goals) as the player with most goals in the UEFA European
π Championship qualifying, setting a new record with 25 goals.[445] He also set a new
record for scoring against the most π national teams, 40,[446] while also completing his
eighth international hat-trick.[447] On 14 October, he scored his 700th senior career
goal π for club and country from the penalty spot, in his 974th senior career appearance,
a 2β1 away loss to Ukraine π in a Euro 2024 qualifier.[448] On 17 November, Ronaldo
scored his 99th international goal in a 2β0 win over Luxembourg, π leading Portugal to
qualify for Euro 2024.[449] On 8 September 2024, Ronaldo scored his 100th and 101st
international goals in π a 2β0 away win over Sweden in a 2024β21 UEFA Nations League
match, becoming only the second male player ever π to achieve this milestone (after Ali
Daei of Iran) and the first in Europe.[450][451] On 13 October, the FPF announced π that
Ronaldo tested positive for COVID-19 while being asymptomatic.[452] By 30 October,
Ronaldo had recovered.[453]
2024βpresent: All-time international appearances and top
π goalscorer
The EstΓ‘dio Algarve (exterior pictured) where Ronaldo broke the
international goalscoring record (surpassing the 109 goals of Iran's Ali Daei) π in
September 2024, among other records in the course of the same year
On 15 June 2024,
Ronaldo scored twice in π Portugal's first game of Euro 2024, a 3β0 win against Hungary
in Budapest.[454] This took him to a total of π 11 European Championship goals, two clear
of Michel Platini, as the all-time top goalscorer in the competition's history.[455] He
also π became the first player to score at five Euros,[456] and in eleven consecutive
tournaments. The brace made Ronaldo the oldest π player to score two goals in a match in
the competition,[457] and the oldest player to score for Portugal at π a major
tournament.[458] On 23 June, he scored two penalties in Portugal's 2β2 draw with France
in their final group π stage match, equalling Daei's record of 109 international
goals.[459] On 27 June, Portugal were eliminated following a 1β0 loss against π Belgium
in the round of 16.[460] Ronaldo finished the tournament with five goals (tied with
Czech Patrik Schick) and one π assist, earning him the Golden Boot.[461]
On 1 September,
Ronaldo scored two headed goals, with his second coming seconds before the π full-time
whistle, in a 2β1 home win against the Republic of Ireland in a World Cup qualifier at
the EstΓ‘dio π Algarve, which saw him pass Ali Daei to become the sole record holder by
breaking the men's international scoring record π with his 110th and 111th international
goals.[462] On 9 October, he scored the opening goal in a 3β0 friendly win π over Qatar
at the EstΓ‘dio Algarve; with his 181st international appearance, he also overtook
Sergio Ramos's record for the most π international caps received by a European
player.[463][464] In the following match against Luxembourg on 12 October, also played
at the π EstΓ‘dio Algarve, Ronaldo scored a hat-trick in a 5β0 win for Portugal, and
became the first player to score 10 π hat-tricks in men's international
football.[465]
Ronaldo during a group stage game against Uruguay at the 2024 World
Cup
Ronaldo was named in π Portugal's squad for the 2024 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, making
it his fifth World Cup. On 24 November, in π Portugal's opening match against Ghana,
Ronaldo scored a penalty kick and became the first male player to score in five
π different World Cups.[466] In the last group game against South Korea, Ronaldo received
criticism from his own coach for his π reaction at being substituted.[467] He was dropped
from the starting line-up for Portugal's last 16 match against Switzerland, marking the
π first time since Euro 2008 that he had not started a game for Portugal in a major
international tournament,[468] and π the first time Portugal had started a knockout game
without Ronaldo in the starting line-up at an international tournament since π Euro
2000.[469] He came off the bench late on as Portugal won 6β1, their highest tally in a
World Cup π knockout game since the 1966 World Cup, with Ronaldo's replacement GonΓ§alo
Ramos scoring a hat-trick.[470] Portugal employed the same strategy π in the
quarter-finals against Morocco, with Ronaldo once again coming off the bench; in the
process, he equalled Bader Al-Mutawa's π international appearance record, becoming the
jointβmost capped male footballer of all time, with 196 caps. Portugal lost 1β0, with
Morocco π becoming the first CAF nation ever to reach the World Cup
semi-finals.[471][472]
Following the World Cup, despite having his future with π the
national team in doubt, after rumours of a possible omission by new manager Roberto
MartΓnez, Ronaldo was named in π Portugal's squad for the UEFA Euro 2024 qualifiers
against Liechtenstein and Luxembourg.[473] On 23 March, Ronaldo scored a brace in π a 4β0
win over Liechtenstein; with his 197th international appearance, he overtook
Al-Mutawa's record and became the most capped male π footballer of all time.[474] On 20
June, Ronaldo made his 200th appearance for his national team, scoring the only goal π of
an away win over Iceland, in the Euro qualifiers, as he became the first player in the
history of π men's international football to make 200 appearances for his country.[475]
On 13 October, Ronaldo scored a brace in a 3β2 π win over Slovakia, leading Portugal to
qualify for Euro 2024, marking the nation's fastest qualification to a major tournament
in π their history.[476]
Player profile
Style of play
A versatile attacker, Ronaldo is
capable of playing on either wing as well as through the π centre of the pitch,[477] and,
while ostensibly right-footed, is very strong with both feet.[478] Tactically, Ronaldo
has undergone several evolutions π throughout his career. While at Sporting and during
his first season at Manchester United, he was typically deployed as a π traditional
winger on the right side of midfield, where he regularly looked to deliver crosses into
the penalty area. In π this position, he was able to use his pace and acceleration,
agility and technical skills to take on opponents in π one-on-one situations. Ronaldo
became noted for his dribbling and flair, often displaying an array of tricks and
feints,[479][480] such as π the step overs and so-called 'chops' that became his
trademark;[481] he has also been known to use the flip-flap.[482]
Ronaldo controlling
π the ball on his chest during a 2010β11 La Liga game against AlmerΓa. At his peak, he
was known for π his exceptional speed and athleticism.[483]
His strength and jumping
ability, combined with his elevation, heading accuracy and height of 1.87 m π (6 ft 1+1β2
in), give him an edge in winning aerial duels. These attributes allow him to function
as a π target-man and make him an aerial goal threat in the penalty area; consequently,
many of his goals have been headers.[484][485][486] π Allied with his increased stamina
and work-rate, his goalscoring ability improved drastically on the left wing where he
was given π the positional freedom to move into the centre to finish attacks. He has also
increasingly played a creative role for π his team, often dropping deep to pick up the
ball, participate in the build-up of plays and create chances for π his teammates,
courtesy of his vision and passing ability.[479][484]
In his final seasons at United,
Ronaldo played an even more attacking π and central role, functioning both as a striker
and as a supporting forward, or even as an attacking midfielder on π occasion.[484] He
developed into a prolific goalscorer, capable of finishing well both inside the penalty
area and from distance with π an accurate and powerful shot, courtesy of his striking
ability.[484] An accurate penalty kick taker,[487] he also became a set π piece
specialist, renowned for his powerful, bending free kicks.[488] When taking free kicks,
Ronaldo is known for using the knuckleball π technique, which was developed by Juninho
Pernambucano.[489] He also adopts a trademark stance before striking the ball, which
involves him π standing with his legs far apart.[490] Regarding Ronaldo's unique style of
taking free kicks, former United assistant manager Mike Phelan π commented: "People used
to put the ball down, walk away, run up and hit it. He brought in a more π dynamic
showmanship. He places the ball down, the concentration level is high, he takes his
certain amount of steps back π so that his standing foot is in the perfect place to hit
the ball in the sweet spot. He is π the ultimate showman. He has that slight arrogance.
When he pulls those shorts up and shows his thighs, he is π saying 'All eyes on me' and
this is going in. He understands the marketing side of it. The way he π struts up and
places it; the world is watching him."[491]
As Ronaldo entered his thirties he began to
dribble less.[492]
At Real π Madrid, Ronaldo continued to play a more offensive role,
while his creative and defensive duties became more limited, although not π entirely
diminished.[493] Initially deployed as a centre forward by managers Manuel Pellegrini
and JosΓ© Mourinho, he was later moved back π onto the left wing, though in a free
tactical role; this position allowed him to drift into the centre at π will to get onto
the end of crosses and score, or draw out defenders with his movement off the ball π and
leave space for teammates to exploit.[493][494][495] Madrid's counter-attacking style
of play also allowed him to become a more efficient π and consistent player, as evidenced
by his record-breaking goalscoring feats. While he mainly drew praise in the media for
his π prolific goalscoring, Ronaldo also demonstrated his ability as an effective creator
in this role.[496][497][498] This unique role has been described π by pundits as that of
a "false", "attacking", or "goalscoring winger", as Ronaldo effectively almost
functioned as a striker at π times with his central runs into the penalty area, despite
actually playing on the left flank.[494][499] From 2013 onwards, under π manager Carlo
Ancelotti, he effectively adapted his style to the physical effects of ageing with
increasingly reduced off-the-ball movement and π general involvement, completing fewer
dribbles and passes per game, and instead focusing on short-distance creating and
goalscoring.[493][500][501] Since 2024, Ronaldo π adapted his style of play yet again to
become more of a free-roaming centre forward under manager Zinedine Zidane, a π role in
which he continued to excel and maintain a prolific goalscoring record; in this
position, he earned praise in π the media for his intelligent movement both on and off
the ball, positional sense, link-up play and finishing, as well π as his ability to lose
or anticipate his markers, find space in the box and score from few touches or
π opportunities.[502][503][504]
In his first season at Juventus, Ronaldo continued to
play in a variety of different attacking roles under manager Massimiliano π Allegri,
depending on whom he was partnered with. While he had occupied an increasingly
offensive role in his final years π at Real Madrid, at times he functioned in a free role
at Juventus, either as a lone striker or in π his trademark role on the left wing, in a
4β2β3β1 or 4β3β3 formation, in which he often switched positions with π Mario MandΕΎukiΔ.
In this role, he was also given licence to drop deep or even out wide onto the right
π flank to receive the ball, and be more involved in the build-up of plays; as such,
aside from scoring goals π himself, he began to take on opponents and create chances for
other players with greater frequency than he had in π his final seasons with Real Madrid.
Off the ball, he was also capable of creating space for teammates with his π movement and
attacking runs into the box, or finishing off chances with his head or feet by getting
onto the π end of his teammates' crosses.[505][506] On occasion he also played in an
attacking partnership alongside MandΕΎukiΔ in a 4β3β1β2, 4β4β2, π or 3β5β2
formation.[507][508][509] He continued to play a similar role in his second season with
the club under manager Maurizio π Sarri.[506]
Image
"In the six years we had him, you
just saw his game grow all the time, and he was a π fantastic player. Now you see the
complete player. His decision-making, his maturity, his experience, plus all the great
skills he π has got, they all make him the complete player." βFormer manager Alex
Ferguson, January 2013[510]
Ronaldo is widely regarded as one π of the two best players
of his generation, alongside Lionel Messi.[511] Winning his first Ballon d'Or in 2008
by a π record-high vote count at age 23, over the next decade Ronaldo has often featured
in debates concerning who is the π greatest player in history.[512] Acclaimed for his
prolific and consistent goal-scoring,[513] he is considered a decisive player who is
also π a game changer,[514] especially in important and high-pressured
situations.[515]
Fans of Real Madrid (left; Ronaldo's then current club) and Manchester
United π (right; Ronaldo's then former club as he joined United again in 2024) wearing
Ronaldo's 7 shirt at the 2024 UEFA π Super Cup
Ronaldo is noted for his work ethic, elite
body conditioning and dedication to improvement on the training pitch, as π well being
regarded as a natural leader.[516][517] On his longevity and "extraordinary commitment
to physical preparation", Adam Bate of Sky π Sports said: "Dedication is a huge part of
staying at the top and Ronaldo's focus is perhaps unparalleled within the π game."[492]
While stating they were stylistically different players who shared an equal desire to
score goals, former Brazil international Ronaldo π praised Cristiano's approach to
training, arguing that "there are so few players who take care of their body like he
π does. I trained because I had to, he does it because he loves it."[518] His drive and
determination to succeed π are fuelled by a desire to be talked about alongside other
greats such as PelΓ© and Diego Maradona once retiring.[519] π He is credited, along with
his compatriot, coach JosΓ© Mourinho, with inspiring changing fortunes of Portuguese
football in 2010s and π 2024s.[520] At times, he has been criticised for simulating when
tackled.[521] He was also occasionally criticised early in his career π by manager Alex
Ferguson, teammates and the media for being a selfish or overly flamboyant player.[522]
Jonathan Wilson of The π Guardian opined that Ronaldo had made Juventus, who he joined
aged 33 in 2024, weaker, due to "his relative immobility" π in his mid-30s, even if his
personal goal-scoring output remained high.[523]
During his career, Ronaldo has also
been described as having π an "arrogant image" on the pitch,[524] with Ronaldo stating
that he had become a "victim" because of how he was π portrayed in the media.[525] He is
often seen moaning, gesticulating and scowling while trying to inspire his team to
victory,[524] π with Ronaldo insisting that his competitive nature should not be mistaken
for arrogance.[525] His managers, teammates and various journalists have π said that this
reputation has caused an unfair image of him.[526][527][528]
Goal celebrations
Ronaldo
has adopted several goal celebrations throughout his career, π including one particular
celebration which gained widespread coverage in the media, when he squatted and stared
directly into a camera π on the sidelines of the pitch with his hand on his
chin.[529][530][531] After scoring a goal, he usually celebrates with π a "storming jump"
and "turn", before "landing in spread-eagled fashion"[530] into his "signature power
stance",[531] while usually simultaneously exclaiming "SΓ" π (Spanish and Italian for
"yes").[529][532] This trademark celebration has been dubbed the "Siu" in the
media.[529][530][533]
Rivalry with Lionel Messi
Both Ronaldo π and Lionel Messi have
scored in multiple UEFA Champions League finals and have regularly broken the 50-goal
barrier in a π single season. Sports journalists and pundits regularly weigh the
individual merits of both players in an attempt to argue who π they believe is the best
player in modern football or in the history of the game.[534] It has been compared π to
several sports rivalries, among them the Muhammad AliβJoe Frazier rivalry in boxing,
the BorgβMcEnroe rivalry in tennis and the π SennaβProst rivalry from Formula One motor
racing.[535][536] Some commentators choose to analyse the differing physiques and
playing styles of the π two.[537] Part of the debate revolves around the contrasting
personalities of the two players, as Ronaldo is sometimes depicted as π an arrogant and
theatrical showoff, while Messi is portrayed as a shy, humble
character.[538][539][540]
"It's part of my life now. People π are bound to compare us. He
tries to do his best for his club and for his national team, as π I do, and there is a
degree of rivalry with both of us trying to do the best for the π teams we represent."
βRonaldo commenting on his rivalry with Messi.[541]
In a 2012 interview, Ronaldo
commented on the rivalry, saying: "I π think we push each other sometimes in the
competition, this is why the competition is so high."[542] Alex Ferguson, Ronaldo's
π manager during his time at Manchester United, opined: "I don't think the rivalry
against each other bothers them. I think π they have their own personal pride in terms of
wanting to be the best."[543] Messi himself denied any rivalry, saying π that it was
"only the media, the press, who wants us to be at loggerheads but I've never fought
with π Cristiano."[544] Responding to the claims that he and Messi do not get on well on
a personal level, Ronaldo commented: π "We don't have a relationship outside the world of
football, just as we don't with a lot of other players." π Ronaldo added that in years to
come he hopes they can laugh about it together, stating: "We have to look π on this
rivalry with a positive spirit, because it's a good thing."[541] Representing
archrivals Barcelona and Real Madrid, the two π players faced each other at least twice
every season in the world's biggest club game, El ClΓ‘sico, which is among π the world's
most viewed annual sporting events.[545]
In a debate at Oxford Union in October 2013,
when asked whether FIFA president π Sepp Blatter preferred Messi or Ronaldo, Blatter paid
tribute to the work ethic of the Argentine before taking a swipe π at Ronaldo, claiming
"one of them has more expenses for the hairdresser than the other." Real Madrid
demanded and promptly π received a full apology. In response to Blatter's "commander" on
the pitch comment, Ronaldo issued his own riposte with a π mock-salute celebration after
scoring a penalty against Sevilla.[546] In August 2024, Ronaldo and Messi were
interviewed while sat next to π each other prior to the announcement of the UEFA Men's
Player of the Year, with Ronaldo stating: "I pushed him π and he pushed me as well. So
it's good to be part of the history of football."[547]
In September 2024, Ronaldo
π declared that his rivalry with Messi was over and "gone", after 36 official fixtures
and 15 years of "sharing the π stage".[548] After Messi led Argentina to victory in the
2024 FIFA World Cup, a number of football critics, commentators and π players have opined
that Messi has settled the debate between the two players.[549][550][551]
The Cristiano
Ronaldo Museum, Museu CR7, in Funchal, π Madeira. It was opened on 15 December 2013.
As
his reputation grew from his time at Manchester United, Ronaldo has signed π many
sponsorship deals for consumer products, including sportswear, football boots; since
November 2012, Ronaldo has worn the Nike Mercurial Vapor π personalised CR7 edition,[552]
soft drinks, clothing, automotive lubricants, financial services, electronics, and
video games.[553][554][555][556] Ronaldo was featured as the cover π star of EA Sports'
FIFA video game FIFA 18 and was heavily involved in the game's promotion.[557] His
"Sii" goal π celebration features in the FIFA series, accompanied with his own
voiceover.[529] He was also the face of Pro Evolution Soccer, π appearing on the covers
of the 2008, 2012 and 2013 editions of the game.[558]
With earnings of β¬720 million
(Β£615 million) π from 2010 to 2024, Ronaldo was ranked second in Forbes list of the
decade's highest-paid athletes, behind boxer Floyd Mayweather π Jr..[559] Forbes twice
ranked Ronaldo first on its list of the world's highest-paid football players; his
combined income from salaries, π bonuses and endorsements wasR$73 million in 2013β14
andR$79 million in 2014β15.[560][561] The latter earnings saw him listed behind only
Mayweather π on the magazine's list of The World's Highest-Paid Athletes.[562] In 2024,
he became the first footballer to top the Forbes π list of highest-earning athletes, with
a total income ofR$88 million from his salary and endorsements in 2024β16.[563] He
topped the π list for the second straight year with earnings ofR$93 million in
2024β17.[564] He is the first footballer and only the π third sportsman to earnR$1
billion in their career.[565] Ronaldo is one of the world's most marketable sportsmen:
SportsPro rated him π the fifth most marketable athlete in 2012[566] and eighth most
marketable athlete in 2013, with Brazilian footballer Neymar topping both
π lists.[566][567] Sports market research company Repucom named Ronaldo the most
marketable and most recognised football player in the world in π May 2014.[568] He was
additionally named in the 2014 Time 100, Time's annual list of the most influential
people in π the world.[569] ESPN named Ronaldo the world's most famous athlete in 2024,
2024, 2024 and 2024.[570][571][572][573]
Statue of Ronaldo, in Madeira, π resembles the
pose he strikes before taking free kicks.[574]
Ronaldo has established a strong online
presence. The most popular sportsperson on π social media, he counted over 500 million
total followers across Facebook, Twitter and Instagram by February 2024, making him the
π first person to pass half a billion followers.[575] The most-followed person on
Facebook (168 million), the most-followed on Instagram (615 π million) and the
most-followed sportsperson on Twitter (109 million), his sponsors earnedR$936 million
in media value across his accounts between π June 2024 to June 2024.[564] Ronaldo has
released two mobile apps. In December 2011, he launched an iPhone game called π Heads Up
with Cristiano, created by developer RockLive,[576] and in December 2013, he launched
Viva Ronaldo, a dedicated social networking π website and app.[577] Computer security
company McAfee produced a 2012 report ranking footballers by the probability of an
internet search π for their name leading to an unsafe website, with Ronaldo's name first
on the list.[578]
Ronaldo has been the subject of π several works. His autobiography,
titled Moments, was published in December 2007.[579] His sponsor Castrol produced the
television film Ronaldo: Tested π to the Limit, in which he was physically and mentally
tested in several areas; his physical performance was consequently subject π to scrutiny
by world media upon the film's release in September 2011.[537] Cristiano Ronaldo: The
World at His Feet, a π documentary narrated by actor Benedict Cumberbatch, was released
via Vimeo in June 2014.[580] A documentary film directed by Anthony Wonke π about his
life and career, titled Ronaldo, was released on 9 November 2024.[581][582]
Portuguese
Prime Minister AntΓ³nio Costa presents Indian Prime π Minister Narendra Modi a signed
Ronaldo shirt in January 2024.
Demand for a replica Ronaldo shirt has been high
throughout his π career. In 2008, Ronaldo's number 7 Manchester United shirt was the
best-selling Premier League sports product.[583] In 2024, Ronaldo's number π 7 Real
Madrid shirt was the second best-selling worldwide, after Messi's number 10 Barcelona
shirt.[584] In 2024, within 24 hours π of his number 7 Juventus shirt being released,
over 520,000 had been sold, withR$62.4 million generated in one day.[585]
Ronaldo
opened π a fashion boutique under the name CR7 (his initials and shirt number) on the
island of Madeira in 2006 and π opened a second in Lisbon in 2008.[586] In partnership
with Scandinavian manufacturer JBS Textile Group and the New York fashion π designer
Richard Chai, Ronaldo co-designed a range of underwear and sock line, released in
November 2013.[587] He expanded his CR7 π fashion brand by launching a line of premium
shirts and shoes in July 2014.[588][589] In September 2024, Ronaldo released his π own
fragrance, "Legacy", in a partnership with Eden Parfums.[590]
Waxwork of Ronaldo in
Madame Tussauds, London
In 2007, C.D. Nacional renamed its π youth campus Cristiano
Ronaldo Campus Futebol (Cristiano Ronaldo Football Campus).[591] In December 2013,
Ronaldo opened a museum, Museu CR7, in π his hometown of Funchal, Madeira, to house
trophies and memorabilia;[592] the museum is an official sponsor of the local football
π team UniΓ£o da Madeira.[593][594] At a ceremony held at the BelΓ©m Palace in January
2014, President of Portugal AnΓbal Cavaco π Silva raised Ronaldo to the rank of Grand
Officer of the Order of Prince Henry "to distinguish an athlete of π world renown who has
been a symbol of Portugal globally, contributing to the international projection of the
country and setting π an example of tenacity for future generations."[595] A bronze
statue of Ronaldo, designed by artist Ricardo Madeira Veloso, was unveiled π in Funchal
on 21 December 2014.[596]
Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport in Madeira. The
renaming ceremony took place in March 2024.
In June π 2010, during the build-up to the
World Cup, Ronaldo became the fourth footballer (after Steven Gerrard, PelΓ©, and David
Beckham) π to be represented as a waxwork at Madame Tussauds London.[597] Another waxwork
of him was presented at the Madrid Wax π Museum in December 2013.[598] In June 2024,
astronomers led by David Sobral from Lisbon and Leiden discovered a galaxy which π they
named Cosmos Redshift 7 (CR7) in tribute to Ronaldo.[599]
On 23 July 2024, following
Portugal's triumph
