Cristiano Ronaldo

From Madeira Poverty to Greatest Footballer of All Time

sports business
Cristiano Ronaldo

Net Worth

$600M

Born

February 5, 1985 (age 41)

Country

Portugal

Occupation

Professional Footballer

Gender

male

Generation

Millennial

Marital Status

single

Children

5

Single Parent Household

No

Education

High School

Industries

sports, business

Wealth Category

multi-millionaire

Wealth Origin

self-made

First-Gen Wealth

Yes

Overcame

  • • Grew up in poverty on the island of Madeira
  • • Father was an alcoholic and died in 2005
  • • Named after Ronald Reagan, whom his father admired
  • • Left home at 12 to join Sporting CP academy

Cristiano Ronaldo is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a forward for Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr and captains the Portugal national team. Widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, he has won five Ballon d'Or awards and is the all-time top goalscorer in football history.

Career Timeline

1985

Born in Funchal, Madeira, Portugal

1997 Age 12
Turning Point

Left home to join Sporting CP youth academy in Lisbon

2002 Age 17
Achievement

Made professional debut for Sporting CP

2003 Age 18
Milestone

Signed by Manchester United for £12.24 million after impressing in friendly

2008 Age 23
Milestone

Won first Ballon d'Or and Champions League with Manchester United

2009 Age 24
Milestone

Transferred to Real Madrid for world record €94 million

2014 Age 29
Achievement

Won third Ballon d'Or; Real Madrid won Champions League

2016 Age 31
Milestone

Won Euro 2016 with Portugal - country's first major trophy

2018 Age 33
Turning Point

Transferred to Juventus for €100 million

2021 Age 36
Turning Point

Returned to Manchester United

2022 Age 37
Turning Point

Signed with Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia

2023 Age 38
Milestone

Became all-time top goalscorer in football history with 850+ goals

Notable Quotes

"I don't have to show anything to anyone. There is nothing to prove."

— Interview, 2018

"Your love makes me strong. Your hate makes me unstoppable."

— Interview, 2016

"I'm not the best, but I try to be the best."

— Interview, 2014

"I see football as an art. All players are artists."