Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro, born 5 February 1985) is a Portuguese footballer who played as a winger for English Premier League club Manchester United and as captain for the Portuguese national team. In June 2009, Manchester United accepted an £80 million (€94m, US$132m) bid for Ronaldo from Real Madrid, which made Ronaldo the most expensive player in football history.
Ronaldo began his career as a youth player at CD Nacional and his successes with the team led to a move to Sporting Clube de Portugal two seasons afterwards. Ronaldo’s precocious talent caught the attention of Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson and he signed the 18-year-old for £12.24 million in 2003. The following season, Ronaldo won his first club honour, the FA Cup, and reached the UEFA Euro 2004 final with Portugal, in which he scored his first international goal.
In 2008, Ronaldo won his first UEFA Champions League title, and was named the final’s man of the match. He was named the FIFPro World Player of the Year and the FIFA World Player of the Year, in addition to becoming Manchester United’s first Ballon d’Or winner in 40 years.
Three-time Ballon d’Or winner Johan Cruyff said in an interview on 2 April 2008, “Ronaldo is better than George Best and Denis Law, who were two brilliant and great players in the history of United.”
Full name: Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro
Date of birth: 5 February 1985
Place of birth: Funchal, Madeira, Portugal
Height: 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Playing position: Winger
Current club: Real Madrid
Number: 7
Former Clubs
2001–2003: Sporting CP
2003–2009: Manchester United