Cristiano Ronaldo: A Global Football Icon and Legend Early Life and Career Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro was born on February 5, 1985, in Funchal, Madeira, Portugal. From a young age, Ronaldo displayed exceptional talent in football. He joined local club Andorinha before moving to Nacional. At the age of 12, Ronaldo’s skills caught the attention of Sporting CP, one of Portugal's biggest clubs, and he soon moved to Lisbon to further hone his abilities. Professional Career Ronaldo made his professional debut with Sporting CP in 2002, drawing the world’s attention with his speed, dribbling skills, and goal-scoring prowess. His extraordinary talent attracted Manchester United, who signed him in 2003. Under the guidance of Sir Alex Ferguson, Ronaldo flourished, helping the team win three Premier League titles, one UEFA Champions League, and various other domestic honors. In 2009, Ronaldo broke the world transfer record by moving to Real Madrid for €94 million. Here, he reached th