Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro, the Portuguese football sensation, has turned 40 today. Born on February 5, 1985, in Funchal, Madeira, Portugal, Ronaldo’s journey from a small-town boy to one of the greatest footballers of all time has been nothing short of remarkable. As he marks this milestone, we take a look at his career, personal life, achievements, and what life at 40 looks like for the legend.
Career: Ronaldo as a Footballer
Ronaldo’s football journey began at a tender age of 8-9 when he played for Andorinha, a local club where his father worked as a kit man. His talent was undeniable, and it wasn’t long before he moved on to Clube Desportivo Nacional of Madeira.
- In 1997, at just 12 years old, he went on trial with Sporting Clube de Portugal (Sporting Lisbon) and was signed for £1,500.
- At 15, he faced a major hurdle when he was diagnosed with a heart condition, requiring surgery. However, his resilience saw him bounce back quickly.
- In 2002, at the age of 17, he made his first official appearance for Sporting’s first team.
- The turning point came in 2003 when he signed with Manchester United, becoming the first Portuguese player to play for the club.
- He also debuted for the Portugal national team in 2003, where he still serves as captain and holds the record for the most international goals.
- In 2009, he made a record-breaking move to Real Madrid for $132 million, becoming the most expensive player in history at the time.
- After a decade of dominance at Real Madrid, he had stints at Juventus and returned to Manchester United before joining Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, where he currently has 64 goals in 64 league appearances.
Unmatched Records and Achievements
Cristiano Ronaldo’s career is decorated with unparalleled success and records that define his greatness.
- He is the all-time top scorer in the UEFA Champions League and UEFA club competitions.
- He has scored over 900 goals for club and country.
- Ronaldo has won 33 senior trophies, including multiple league titles, the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA European Championship, and the UEFA Nations League.
- Personal accolades include:
- 5-time Ballon d’Or winner
- 3-time FIFA Best Men’s Player
- 4 European Golden Boots
- Over 30 medals and individual awards
Ronaldo as a businessman: The CR7 Empire
Off the pitch, Ronaldo has built a thriving business empire under the CR7 brand, which includes:
- Pestana CR7 Hotels – A luxury hotel chain in partnership with the Pestana Hotel Group, with locations in Lisbon and beyond.
- CR7 Brand – A diverse range of products including clothing, footwear, underwear for men and women, fragrance (Eden Perfume by Cristiano Ronaldo), eyewear, and accessories.
- CR7 Crunch & Fitness – Fitness centers in Spain and Portugal.
- Zela Restaurants – Elite dining spots in Ibiza, Beverly Hills, Doha, and Madrid.
- As of 2024, his net worth is estimated to be between $550 million and $650 million.
Cristiano Ronaldo: The Man Behind the Fame
Despite his global fame, Cristiano Ronaldo remains an enigmatic figure in many aspects of his personal life.
- He is an Aquarius. And a fitness enthusiast who trains from sunrise to sunset.
- He never completed formal education, dropping out in the 6th grade.
- He was expelled from school after throwing a chair at a teacher.
- While academically he struggled, he was known to be a popular and well-liked student among his peers.
- Unlike many footballers, Ronaldo has no tattoos, reportedly because he regularly donates blood and bone marrow.
- He is not from a well-to-do home and has shared stories of eating leftover burgers from McDonald’s when he was a young footballer.
- He is not officially married, though rumors suggest he may have had a secret ceremony with his long time girlfriend, Georgina Rodriguez.
- He has five children, including twins Mateo and Eva Maria, born through surrogacy in 2017.
- In 2021, he welcomed another set of twins with his girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez, but sadly, the newborn son passed away, leaving the surviving twin daughter named Bella.
- The identity of his first son’s mother remains undisclosed, a rare private aspect of his life despite his openness in other areas.
Life at 40: What’s Next?
At 40, Cristiano Ronaldo is still proving that age is just a number. With incredible fitness levels, an unparalleled work ethic, and an unwavering passion for the game, he continues to shine on the field for Al-Nassr with no hint of hanging the boots anytime soon. The question remains: how many more years does he have in football? Only time will tell.
One thing is certain—whether on the pitch or in business, Ronaldo’s legacy is firmly cemented as one of the greatest footballers and sports personalities in history.
Happy 40th birthday to the Champion who continues to make heads turn in football!