Cristiano Ronaldo @40: Forty Things to Know About CR7

Cristiano Ronaldo, one of football’s greatest icons, has turned 40. From his humble beginnings in Madeira to dominating world football for over two decades, Ronaldo has shattered records, won countless trophies, and redefined the sport. To celebrate this milestone, here are 40 things to know about CR7.

1-10: The Early Years

1. Born in Madeira – Ronaldo was born on February 5, 1985, in Funchal, Madeira, Portugal.
2. Named after a U.S. President – His father named him after Ronald Reagan, who was the U.S. president at the time.
3. Heart Condition Almost Ended His Career – As a child, he underwent heart surgery for tachycardia, a condition that could have stopped him from playing.
4. Sporting Lisbon’s Youngest Ever Player – He made his first-team debut for Sporting CP at just 16 years old.
5. Manchester United Scouts Discovered Him – After dazzling in a friendly against United, Sir Alex Ferguson signed him in 2003.
6. First to Wear No. 7 After Beckham – Ferguson convinced him to take the legendary No. 7 shirt after David Beckham left for Real Madrid.
7. First Goal for United – He scored his first goal against Portsmouth in 2003.
8. Won His First Trophy in 2004 – The FA Cup was his first major silverware, where he scored in the final.
9. Became a Global Sensation After 2006 World Cup – His infamous “wink” incident after Wayne Rooney’s red card in the World Cup quarterfinals made him a household name.
10. First Ballon d’Or Nomination (2007) – He finished second to Kaka in 2007 before winning his first Ballon d’Or in 2008.

11-20: The Real Madrid Era

11. Became the Most Expensive Player in 2009 – His €94 million move from United to Real Madrid was a world-record transfer fee.
12. First Player to Score in Six Consecutive Clasicos – Ronaldo tormented Barcelona’s defence repeatedly.
13. All-Time Top Scorer for Real Madrid – Scored 450 goals in 438 appearances for Los Blancos.
14. Most Goals in a Single Champions League Season – He netted 17 goals in the 2013-14 campaign.
15. Five-Time Champions League Winner – Won the competition five times, including four with Real Madrid.
16. Won Two La Liga Titles – Despite Barcelona’s dominance, Ronaldo led Real Madrid to La Liga triumphs in 2012 and 2017.
17. Unforgettable Bicycle Kick Against Juventus – His stunning goal in 2018 was applauded by Juventus fans.
18. Became Real Madrid’s First Player to Score 50+ Goals in Six Consecutive Seasons – From 2010 to 2016.
19. Left Madrid as Their Greatest Ever – By the time he departed in 2018, he had broken nearly every club record.
20. Holds the Record for Most Goals in Champions League History – Over 140 goals in the competition.

21-30: Juventus, Manchester United Return & Al Nassr

21. Moved to Juventus in 2018 for €100 Million – At 33, he became the most expensive signing in Serie A history.
22. Won the Serie A MVP Award in 2019 – Dominated Italy in his first season.
23. Became Juventus’ Fastest Player to Reach 100 Goals – Achieved in just 131 appearances.
24. Returned to Manchester United in 2021 – Signed a dramatic deal to rejoin his former club after initially being linked with Manchester City.
25. Scored Twice on His Second United Debut – Netting a brace against Newcastle in his comeback match.
26. Reached 800 Career Goals in December 2021 – The first footballer in history to do so.
27. Moved to Al Nassr in 2023 – Signed a record-breaking deal with the Saudi Arabian club.
28. Became Saudi Pro League’s Biggest Star – Inspired a wave of European players moving to the Middle East.
29. Continued Breaking Records in His Late 30s – Scored over 50 goals in 2023 alone.
30. Still Playing at 40 – Proving that age is just a number.

31-40: Legacy, Achievements & Off-Field Influence

31. Most International Goals in History – Has scored over 120 goals for Portugal.
32. Led Portugal to Euro 2016 and Nations League Glory – The first major international titles in their history.
33. First Player to Score in Five World Cups – Achieved in Qatar 2022.
34. Holds the Record for Most Goals in European Championship History – No player has scored more in the Euros.
35. First Player to Win League Titles in England, Spain & Italy – A truly global champion.
36. Football’s First Billionaire – Became the first footballer to earn over $1 billion in career earnings.
37. Most Followed Athlete on Social Media – With over 600 million Instagram followers, he is the most followed person in the world.
38. Known for His Insane Fitness – Even at 40, he maintains a body fat percentage similar to a 20-year-old.
39. A Style Icon & Businessman – Owns CR7-branded hotels, clothing, and fragrance lines.
40. His Legacy Will Live Forever – Whether he plays for a few more years or retires soon, Ronaldo’s name will forever be etched in football history.