Cristiano Ronaldo is a Portuguese footballer born in 1985, regarded as one of the greatest players in history. A prolific goal scorer, he has won five Ballon d'Or awards and shone at the biggest European clubs as well as with the Portugal national team.
Cristiano Ronaldo(1985 — ?)
Cristiano Ronaldo
Portugal
4 min read
Frequently asked questions
Key Facts
- Born on February 5, 1985 in Funchal, on the island of Madeira (Portugal)
- Won the Champions League with Manchester United in 2008, then four times with Real Madrid (2014, 2016, 2017, 2018)
- Winner of five Ballon d'Or awards (2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017)
- Won the European Football Championship (Euro) with Portugal in 2016
- Became one of the greatest goal scorers in football history and the all-time top scorer in international play
Works & Achievements
First major continental victory, marking his breakthrough as a global star.
First individual honour, which launched his rivalry with Messi.
Real Madrid's tenth European title, in which Ronaldo played a decisive role.
Portugal's first major international title, despite his injury in the final.
A historic run of European titles driven by his goals.
Becomes the all-time top scorer in men's international football.
Second international trophy won with Portugal on home soil.
Anecdotes
A poor child from the island of Madeira, Cristiano Ronaldo had heart surgery at 15 to treat tachycardia (a heartbeat that was too fast). The laser operation lasted a few hours and he was back in training a few days later.
His first name “Ronaldo” was given to him in honor of Ronald Reagan, then president of the United States, whom his father admired—not for his politics but as an actor.
During the Euro 2016 final, Ronaldo injured his knee in the 25th minute and left the field in tears on a stretcher. He returned near the bench and encouraged his teammates like a coach; Portugal won 1-0 against France.
In 2018, during a Champions League quarter-final, he scored a spectacular acrobatic bicycle kick against Juventus (while he was playing for Real Madrid); the opposing fans stood up to applaud him.
Ronaldo is one of the first footballers to become a true global brand thanks to social media, becoming the most-followed person in the world on Instagram, surpassing hundreds of millions of followers.
Primary Sources
This is an incredible moment in my career. I want to thank my teammates and my club. Working hard has always been my philosophy.
I am very happy, it's one of the most beautiful moments of my career. Winning a trophy with my country was my dream.
Talent without hard work is nothing. I have always wanted to be the best, and to do that you have to train more than the others.
Key Places
Ronaldo's birthplace on the island of Madeira, where he grew up in modest surroundings.
Manchester United's stadium where Ronaldo broke through at the highest European level.
Real Madrid's stadium where Ronaldo became the club's all-time leading goalscorer.
Site of the Euro 2016 final won by Portugal against France.
The Portuguese capital where Ronaldo made his professional debut at Sporting's youth academy.
Typical Objects

Individual trophy awarding the best footballer of the year. Ronaldo has won it five times, a symbol of his sporting excellence.

The number 7 has become inseparable from Ronaldo, to the point that he launched his own brand “CR7”. The jersey is a highly sought-after collector's item.

Studded-sole shoes that grip the pitch. Ronaldo has custom models designed by his sponsor.

The central tool of the game, struck, controlled, and directed by the player. Ronaldo is renowned for his powerful free-kick strike.

Band worn on the arm designating the team captain. Ronaldo wears the one for the Portuguese national team, of which he is the leader.

Communication tool that turned Ronaldo into a global brand, among the most followed people on Instagram.
School Curriculum
Vocabulary & Tags
Key Vocabulary
Daily Life
Morning
Ronaldo's day starts early, often with a physical training session before breakfast. He places great importance on recovery and rigorous stretching.
Afternoon
The afternoon is devoted to team training with his club: technical and tactical drills and shooting practice. He frequently follows these with extra weight-training sessions.
Evening
In the evening, he focuses on rest, body care (cryotherapy, massages) and time with family. Before a match, he goes to bed early to be in peak condition.
Food
Renowned for his strict dietary discipline, Ronaldo mainly eats proteins (fish, chicken), vegetables and whole-grain starches, spread across several small meals. He avoids alcohol and sugary sodas.
Clothing
On the pitch he wears his team's jersey and customized cleats; off the field, he cultivates his image with designer outfits and pieces from his own “CR7” label.
Housing
An extremely wealthy footballer, he lives in vast, luxurious homes equipped with gyms and swimming pools, depending on the country where he plays (Madrid, Turin, Manchester, Riyadh).
Historical Timeline
Period Vocabulary
Liens externes & ressources
Références
Œuvres
Ligue des champions avec Manchester United
2008
Premier Ballon d'Or
2008
"La Décima", Ligue des champions du Real Madrid
2014
Euro 2016 avec le Portugal
2016
Quatre Ligues des champions avec le Real Madrid
2014-2018
Record de buts en sélection nationale
2021
Ligue des Nations 2019
2019






