Biography

Becoming one of the most dazzling and marketable soccer players on the globe in an amazingly short period of time, Ronaldo amazes spectators with his deft footwork and even with his early start in the professional league, has yet to fulfill his potential. Cristiano Ronaldo became the only player in Sporting history to play for the Under-18, Under-21, B-team and first team all in one season. Renowned for his first-rate technical skills that leave soccer defenders baffled, Ronaldo led Sporting to the top of the soccer league.

He is currently wearing Manchester United’s red shirt. At 22-years-old, Cristiano Ronaldo had already won an FA Cup with the Manchester United soccer club and played for Portugal at the Euro 2004 championships and 2006 World Cup.

On February 5, 1985, Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro was born in Madeira, Portugal. His parents named him (Ronaldo) after former United States President Ronald W. Reagan. Ronaldo began kicking a soccer ball when he was three-years-old. His passion for the sport of soccer was apparent when he began primary school at six-years-old. Ronaldo’s favorite boyhood soccer team was SL Benfica, although he would later join Sporting, their rival.

After he first played on an amateur soccer team, Andorinha, at eight-years-old, in 1995 at ten-years-old Ronaldo’s reputation was quickly increasing in Portugal. CS Maritimo and CD Nacional were both very interested in signing Cristiano Ronaldo. Maritimo missed an important meeting with the manager of Andorinha; as a result Ronaldo signed with Nacional. After an incredible title-winning tenure at Nacional, Ronaldo went on a three day trial with the Sporting team that subsequently recruited him for an undisclosed sum of money.

When Ronaldo joined other youth players at Sporting, he received first-class instruction. Sporting realized that Cristiano Ronaldo needed more support and quickly arranged for his mother to join him. He made an indelible debut for sporting against the Moreirense team and scored two soccer goals. He also was the star feature for Portugal in the UEFA Under 17 Championships.

In 2003, Ronaldo came to the attention of Sir Alex Ferguson when Liverpool declined him because of his young age and needed time to develop. Ronaldo demonstrated stellar ability to play left and right wings when Portugal beat Manchester United 3-1 in Lisbon. After the soccer match, Manchester’s players spoke fervently of the young talent they had played against, stating they wanted him on their team. Ferguson decided he wanted Ronaldo for his Manchester team, who were in the market for a right-side midfielder with the departure of the popular David Beckham to Real Madrid.

Cristiano Ronaldo was signed for an amazing £12.24 million Cristiano made his debut for the Manchester United soccer club as a last minute substitute against Bolton Wanderers at Old Trafford. Manchester United was then up 1-0 but with a few minutes on the field, Ronaldo won a penalty. The eventual outcome ended with 4-0 win to Manchester United. Ronaldo was given the No. 7 jersey on his arrival, although he wanted number 28 which he wore at Sporting.

In 2006, Ronaldo signed a new deal with the Manchester United soccer club which would last through 2010. “United stood by me and been there for me and I want to repay them,” mentioned Cristiano Ronaldo. Although Ronaldo has occasionally had some problems with his short temper during soccer games, he was awarded the Barclays Player of the Month award for the second month in a row. He became the third player in the Premiership to accomplish this.