As Cristiano Ronaldo Turns 39: Comprising Astounding Records, The legendary Portuguese Achievements
On Monday, the internationally recognized Portuguese football player Cristiano Ronaldo—often referred to as the “greatest footballer of all time”—will turn 39 years old. Age is just a number for the Portuguese superstar and five-time winner of the Ballon d’Or”. Cristiano, who was raised by cleaning streets to support his family, had a difficult upbringing. He was born in Madeira on February 5, 1985. Nevertheless, his early struggles did not stop him from becoming the world’s greatest football player.
At the age of sixteen, he started to play football for the Portuguese team Sporting CP. Before he joined the senior team in 2002, he was the first Sporting CP to play for the U-16, U-17, U-18, B-team, and first team.
He appeared in 28 games during his one-year tenure with Sporting CP’s senior squad from 2002 to 2003, but managed just four goals.
However, major English clubs like Manchester United, Arsenal, and Liverpool were very interested in his skills. However, in the end, Sir Alex Ferguson, the former manager of the Red Devils, emerged victorious and signed Ronaldo to the United team in July 2003.
The Portuguese footballer donned the iconic “number 7” jersey and began to make headlines in major media outlets under SAF’s instruction. In the early 2000s, he emerged as one of Manchester United’s most important players. In 2008, the Portuguese also assisted United in winning one UEFA Champions League (UCL) and three Premier League championships.
CR7 played 277 games for the Red Devils and scored 112 goals in his six-year tenure with the English team. In 2008, he also received his first Ballon d’Or award.
The former Ballon d’Or winner shocked everyone by joining Real Madrid, the Spanish Giants, after the 2008–2009 season ended, making him the most expensive player in history. He arrived in the capital of Spain thanks to a whooping 80 million euros paid by the Los Blancos.
He had to wear the number 9 jersey to begin his Real Madrid career, but it did not stop him from developing into a prolific goal scorer. In his debut season, he scored thirty-three goals.
Ronaldo passed the mark of 40 goals in his second season with Real Madrid to take the lead in goals scored in the league.
In his nine years with the Los Blancos, which are regarded as his golden years, Ronaldo broke records on a regular basis.
Together with the Whites, he took home four FIFA Club World Cup trophies, two La Liga, three UEFA Super Cups, two Copa Del Reys, and four UCLs.
Ronaldo is the greatest goal scorer in Real Madrid history with 450 goals after 438 games for the Los Blancos. In addition, CR7 owns the record for most UCL goals scored, all of which he accomplished while playing for Real Madrid. For the Spanish team, he scored 105 goals in the UCL.
Ronaldo’s incredible bicycle kick goal against Juventus in the first leg of the UCL 2018 quarterfinal will be remembered forever.
With Real Madrid, he took home the remaining four Ballon d’Or titles in 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017.
The Madeira-born player left the Whites in 2018 after rumors about his departure proved out to be accurate, and he joined Juventus of Serie A. The 39-year-old managed to sign a 100 million euro deal with Juventus, plus 12 million euros in fees.
Additionally, the Portuguese’s transfer was noted as the highest for a player who was older than thirty.
However, not enough is spoken about Ronaldo’s tenure with the Italian team. Nevertheless, he made 134 appearances for them and scored 101 goals. He won two Serie A titles, two Super Cups, and one Coppa Italia with Juventus.
In 2021, he left Juventus and went back to Manchester United, the team he had grown up supporting.
During his time with the Red Devils, he appeared in just 54 games and scored 27 goals. It did not, however, last long as he attacked Erik Ten Hag, the United coach, in a contentious Piers Morgan interview.
Ronaldo accused Ten Hag of showing disrespect for the Portuguese player, and as a result, United ended the 39-year-old’s contract.
Following his departure from United, CR7 made another surprise transfer to the Saudi Pro League in January 2023 when he signed with Al Nassr. In 50 appearances with the Riyadh-based team, CR7 scored 44 goals.
The Portuguese player has made 18 appearances and scored 20 goals for the Riyadh-based team in the current Saudi Pro League season. In the 2023–24 season, Ronaldo also contributed nine assists for Al Nassr.
He concluded 2023 as the leading goal scorer in the world, capping an incredible year. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner scored 54 goals for Al Nassr, his current club, and his nation in 2023.
With 128 goals for Portugal since his debut in 2003, Ronaldo also holds the record for most goals scored in an international competition. He and his nation won the EURO Cup and the UEFA Nations League.