Cristiano Ronaldo, born Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro on February 5, 1985, in Funchal, Madeira, Portugal, is a professional footballer widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. Here are some key details about his life and career:
### Early Life and Youth Career
- **Birthplace**: Funchal, Madeira, Portugal
- **Family**: Fourth and youngest child of Maria Dolores dos Santos and José Dinis Aveiro. Named after Ronald Reagan, his father's favorite actor.
- **Early Clubs**: Started playing for Andorinha at age 8, then moved to Nacional. At age 12, he joined Sporting CP's academy.
### Professional Career
1. **Sporting CP (2002-2003)**:
- Made his debut in the Primeira Liga.
2. **Manchester United (2003-2009)**:
- Transferred for £12.24 million.
- Won three Premier League titles, one FA Cup, two League Cups, and the UEFA Champions League.
- First Ballon d'Or in 2008.
3. **Real Madrid (2009-2018)**:
- Transferred for a then-record £80 million.
- Became the club's all-time top scorer.
- Won four Champions League titles, two La Liga titles, and numerous other trophies.
- Three more Ballon d'Or awards (2013, 2014, 2016, 2017).
4. **Juventus (2018-2021)**:
- Transferred for €100 million.
- Won two Serie A titles and other domestic trophies.
5. **Manchester United Return (2021-2022)**:
- Returned to Manchester United, continuing to perform at a high level.
6. **Al Nassr (2023-present)**:
- Currently plays for Al Nassr in the Saudi Professional League.
### International Career
- **Portugal National Team**:
- Made his senior debut in 2003.
- All-time top scorer for Portugal.
- Won the 2016 UEFA European Championship and the 2019 UEFA Nations League.
### Personal Life
- **Children**: Cristiano has five children.
- **Philanthropy**: Known for his charitable work, including donations to hospitals and various causes.
- **Business Ventures**: Has several business ventures, including his CR7 brand, hotels, and a museum.
### Awards and Honors
- **Ballon d'Or**: 5 times
- **FIFA World Player of the Year**: 2 times
- **European Golden Shoe**: 4 times
- **UEFA Best Player in Europe Award**: 3 times
Cristiano Ronaldo continues to be a significant influence in football, known for his incredible athleticism, goal-scoring prowess, and dedication to the sport.
