Cristiano Ronaldo: A Look at the Life and Career of the World's Most Famous Athlete
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Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro was born on February 5, 1985, in Funchal, Madeira, Portugal. He is a professional Portuguese footballer who captains both Al Nassr, a club in the Saudi Professional League, and the Portugal national team. Ronaldo is considered one of the greatest players of all time, having won five Ballon d'Or awards and four European Golden Shoes, the highest honors for a European player.
Early Life and Career
Ronaldo began his football career playing for Clube Desportivo Nacional de Madeira, later transferring to Sporting Clube de Portugal (also known as Sporting Lisbon). After playing for various youth teams, Ronaldo made his debut on Sporting's first team in 2002. His impressive performance during the season brought him to the attention of Europe's top clubs. In 2003, he became the first Portuguese player to sign with Manchester United, one of the largest clubs worldwide. While playing for Manchester United (2003-2009), he became one of the best forwards in the game, known for his unrestrained attacking approach. He aided United in securing a Champions League title in 2008 and was also selected as the FIFA World Player of the Year that same year.
Career Achievements
Ronaldo has earned numerous awards and titles in his athletic career. In 2013, he won a second World Player of the Year award (now called the FIFA Ballon d’Or) after scoring 66 goals. He also became the third sportsman and first footballer to earn $1 billion throughout his career. Forbes ranked Ronaldo as the world's highest-paid athlete in 2016 and 2017, while ESPN recognized him as the world's most famous athlete from 2016 to 2019. Furthermore, he holds the title of having the most Instagram followers, with over 400 million fans.
Marketability
During his peak playing years, Ronaldo was consistently reported as the world's most beloved athlete, according to numerous studies of athlete popularity. His tremendous off-field fame also made him one of the highest-paid endorsers in the history of sports. Notably, in November of 2016, Ronaldo became the third athlete (following basketball legends Michael Jordan and LeBron James) to secure a "lifetime" endorsement deal from Nike, one of the world's top sportswear companies. Moreover, the individual established a successful brand called "CR7" which includes products such as shoes, underwear, and fragrances.
Legal Issues
Ronaldo's exceptional marketability was at the core of a legal matter that surfaced in June 2017, when prosecutors filed a lawsuit against him for defrauding the Spanish government.
In sum, Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the most accomplished and renowned soccer players in history. His successes on and off the pitch have made him a household name and a source of inspiration for countless aspiring athletes globally.