CRISTIANO RONALDO

(Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro; Funchal, Madeira, 1985) Portuguese footballer considered
one of the best strikers on the current scene. In addition to the numerous titles and individual
distinctions obtained throughout his career at Manchester United (2003-2009) and at Real Madrid
(since 2009), he had the honor of being the footballer for whom the most money had ever been
paid by a club: in June 2009, the transfer to Real Madrid cost the white club 94 million euros, up to
that time the highest figure in history.

Cristiano Ronaldo was born in a working-class neighborhood on the Portuguese island of Madeira,
into a family of three brothers. From a very young age, he showed his exceptional football skills: at
the age of eight he played for the La Andorinha team, and at ten the two largest teams on the
island, the Marítimo and the Clube Desportivo Nacional, were already competing for it; the
player's father decided to enter the latter. There he progressed meteorically, and at the age of 16,
after taking some tests, he joined Sporting Lisbon and moved to live in the Portuguese capital.

Treated like a prodigy, at Sporting Lisbon psychologists, personal trainers, educational counselors
and doctors were assigned to supervise the physical growth of a young promise who would
become a thorough athlete. In October 2001, at the age of 17, he made his debut in a full match in
the Portuguese Super League, making a favorable impression on both supporters and the press.
His contribution would be essential in obtaining the 2001-02 title for the Lisbon club.

In the summer of 2003, a friendly match was played between Sporting and Manchester United, on
the occasion of the inauguration of the José Alvalade stadium. Cristiano Ronaldo developed such
an exceptional game in that game that dazzled his teammates and rivals; among them, the
Manchester coach, who managed to get his club to sign Cristiano for 18 million euros. This
operation coincided with the sale of captain David Beckham to Real Madrid, so Cristiano Ronaldo's
entry into the traditional English club implied the expectation of a replacement in the figure of a
successor.