Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo. Biography

Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the most decorated football players in the history of sports, a five—time winner of the Golden Ball Award and a five-time winner of the UEFA Champions League. He is the top scorer in the history of national teams, European Championships, Champions League and World Club Championships. In the 2026 World Cup, Ronaldo became the first player to score a goal in six World Cups. About the athlete's life and achievements — in the material of Izvestia.

Childhood and education

Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro was born on February 5, 1985 in the city of Funchal on the island of Madeira (Portugal). From an early age, he started playing football, playing for local youth teams. At the age of 12, Ronaldo moved to Lisbon, where he joined the Sporting Academy. Professional training at one of the leading football schools in the country allowed him to make rapid progress and make his debut at the adult level.

Early career

Ronaldo's debut in adult football took place as part of Sporting. In 2003, the striker was noticed by the head coach of the English club Manchester United, Alex Ferguson. After joining the Red Devils, the footballer won three English league titles and his first Champions League. In 2008, playing for an English club, he was awarded the Golden Ball for the first time as the best player in the world.

Main achievements and clubs

In 2009, Ronaldo moved to Real Madrid, where he spent the most productive stage of his career, becoming the best scorer in the club's history. He won the Champions League four times as a member of the Cream. In 2018, the Portuguese became a player of the Italian Juventus, with whom he won twice in Serie A. Later, he returned to Manchester United, which ended at the end of 2022. Throughout his career, Ronaldo has set many performance records, becoming the first player to score more than 800 goals in official matches.

Since the beginning of 2023, Cristiano Ronaldo has been playing for the Saudi club Al-Nasr, becoming one of the highest-paid athletes in the world. Despite moving to the Saudi Arabian championship, he retained his place in the national team. At the 2026 World Cup, Ronaldo serves as the captain of the Portuguese national team.

Career in the Portuguese national team

Cristiano Ronaldo has achieved historic successes in the national team. In 2016, he led the Portuguese national team to victory at the European Championship in France. In 2019, the footballer became the winner of the first ever UEFA Nations League draw. Ronaldo holds the world record for the number of matches and goals scored for the national team. His participation in the 2026 World Cup cemented his status as a unique long-lived player in world football.

Titles and awards

In addition to the five Golden Balls" (2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017), Ronaldo is a four—time winner of the Golden Boot, an award for the best scorer of the European championships. He was repeatedly recognized as the best player of the year by FIFA and UEFA. For his services to his homeland, the footballer was awarded high state awards in Portugal, including the Order of the Infante don Henrique and the Order of Merit.

Personal life

The personal life of a football player has been in the media spotlight for many years. From 2010 to 2015, Cristiano Ronaldo was in a relationship with Russian model Irina Shayk. Since 2016, he has been in a relationship with Spanish model Georgina Rodriguez.

The athlete brings up five children. In 2010, his eldest son, Cristiano Jr., was born. In 2017, twins were born — son Mateo and daughter Eva. In the same year 2017, Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodriguez had a daughter, Alan Martina. In 2022, the couple had a daughter, Bella Esmeralda; her twin brother died at birth.