From Boy Wonder To G.O.A.T At 40: Unbelievable Facts About Cristiano Ronaldo You Didn’t Know

As Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates his 40th birthday, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the defining moments of his legendary career. More than just a football star, Ronaldo is a global icon whose influence transcends sports. From his humble beginnings in Madeira to becoming the highest-scoring international footballer of all time, CR7’s journey is filled with remarkable and surprising highlights. 

Here are 40 unbelievable facts about Cristiano Ronaldo you probably didn’t know:

Early Life and Childhood

1. Named After a U.S. President: Ronaldo was named after Ronald Reagan, who was his father’s favorite actor and U.S. President at the time.
   
2. Born on an Island: He was born in Funchal, Madeira, a small island off the coast of Portugal.
   
3. Humble Beginnings: Ronaldo grew up in a modest household and shared a room with his three siblings.
   
4. Almost Quit Football at 14: At the age of 14, Ronaldo considered quitting football to focus on academics after facing bullying from classmates. Encouraged by his mother to pursue his passion, he decided to stay on the pitch. The rest is history.
   
5. Heart Condition: At 15, he underwent heart surgery to correct a racing heart condition that could have ended his football career.
   
6. School Expulsion: Ronaldo was expelled from school after throwing a chair at a teacher who mocked his Madeira accent.
   
7. Almost Became Professional Swimmer: Ronaldo’s childhood love for water sports had him training at a local swimming club before football took over his heart. Imagine a world where CR7 was winning Olympic gold instead of Ballon d’Or trophies!

Football Beginnings

8. Rejected by Benfica: As a young player, Ronaldo was initially rejected by Portuguese giants Benfica.
   
9. Sporting CP Debut at 16: He made his professional debut for Sporting CP at just 16 years old.
   
10. His First Salary Was Just €200: Ronaldo earned a humble €200 per month when he first joined Sporting CP. Fast forward to today, and he commands millions in wages and endorsements.
    
11. Record Transfer at 18: Ronaldo became the most expensive teenager in Premier League history when he signed for Manchester United.
    
12. First International Goal: His first goal for Portugal was in the 2004 UEFA Euro against Greece.
    
13. Almost Joined Liverpool & Barcelona: Liverpool initially showed interest in signing Ronaldo, and he recently revealed that Barcelona was also keen on securing him before he ultimately joined Manchester United.

Football Iconic Moments

14. Euro 2016 Win: Despite being injured in the final, Ronaldo led Portugal to their first major trophy.
    
15. The “SIUUU” Celebration: Ronaldo’s iconic “Siii!” celebration was never planned. It started as a spontaneous moment during a match and became a global phenomenon adopted by fans and players alike.
    
16. Return to Manchester United: His 2021 return sparked record-breaking jersey sales within 12 hours.

Achievements and Records

17. Scored in Every Minute of a Football Match: Ronaldo is the only player in history to score in every single minute of a 90-minute match, proving his knack for finding the net at any time.
    
18. World-Record Transfer to Real Madrid: Ronaldo made headlines with his world-record €94 million move to Real Madrid in 2009. The transfer marked the beginning of a legendary nine-year stint where he shattered records and became the club’s all-time top scorer.
    
19. Most International Goals: Ronaldo holds the record for the most international goals in football history.
    
20. Fastest to 100 Goals for Real Madrid: Ronaldo achieved this milestone in just 105 games.
    
21. Juventus Success and Serie A Dominance: Winning consecutive Serie A titles and becoming the fastest player to reach 100 goals for the club.
    
22. First Player to Win Every Major League Title: He has won league titles in England, Spain, and Italy.
    
23. Champions League King: Ronaldo is the all-time leading scorer in the UEFA Champions League.
    
24. Five Ballon d’Or Wins: He has won the prestigious Ballon d’Or award five times.

Lifestyle and Personal Life

25. Loves Fitness: Ronaldo does 3,000 sit-ups a day to maintain his legendary physique.
    
26. Teetotaler: He does not drink alcohol due to his father’s struggles with alcoholism.
    
27. Charity Champion: Ronaldo has donated millions to various charities, including funding hospitals.
    
28. Wax Figure: He paid for a wax statue of himself to be maintained at the Madrid Wax Museum.
    
29. Fashion Icon: He owns a fashion brand called CR7, which offers clothing, shoes, and fragrances.
    
30. Ronaldo Museum: He has a museum in Madeira dedicated to his career achievements.
    
31. Fitness Ventures: Ronaldo co-owns a chain of gyms called CR7 Fitness.
    
32. Real Estate Empire: His properties include a luxury mansion in Portugal and an apartment in New York City.
    
33. Owns a Limited-Edition Supercar: Ronaldo is one of only 10 people in the world to own the Bugatti Centodieci, a hypercar worth approximately $9 million.
    

Uncommon Facts

34. A Statuesque Honor in Madeira: Ronaldo has an entire airport named after him — Madeira International Airport in his hometown was officially renamed Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport in 2017.
    
35. Voice Actor: He voiced himself in an episode of the animated series Striker Force 7.
    
36. Auctioned Ballon d’Or: Ronaldo has donated millions to various causes, including funding cancer treatment for children and supporting disaster relief efforts. He once auctioned his Ballon d’Or to raise funds for charity.
    
37. No Tattoos: Ronaldo avoids tattoos so he can regularly donate blood.
    
38. Language Fluency: CR7 speaks Portuguese, Spanish, and English fluently, making him a multicultural icon in the football world.
    
39. World Record on Social Media: As of today, Ronaldo holds the record for being the most-followed person on Instagram, with over half a billion followers. His social media posts are a marketing goldmine.
    
40. Guinness World Records Holder: Ronaldo holds multiple Guinness World Records for his achievements in football.

Wrapping Up,

Cristiano Ronaldo’s journey from a small island in Madeira to global stardom is nothing short of extraordinary. At 40, he continues to inspire millions with his unmatched work ethic, resilience, and passion for football. Happy Birthday, CR7!