20 fun facts about Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the greatest footballers ever. He currently serves as a forward for Al-Nassr and the Portugal national team. Born on February 5, 1985, Ronaldo initiated his professional football journey with Sporting CP in Portugal.

In 2003, he made a significant move by signing with Manchester United, where he enjoyed six fruitful seasons. Ronaldo’s talent and prowess led him to join Real Madrid in 2009, where he established himself as one of the finest players globally.

In 2018, he embarked on a new chapter with Juventus, securing two Serie A titles, before returning to Manchester United in 2021. Ronaldo’s international career has also been remarkable, contributing to Portugal’s victory in the 2016 UEFA European Championship and guiding them to the semi-finals of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

With an immense fan base worldwide, Ronaldo is widely recognized as one of the greatest footballers in history. His exceptional dribbling skills, remarkable speed, and extraordinary goal-scoring ability have solidified his status in the sport. Known to be the best, let’s find out some interesting and amazing facts about him.

1. Named after a former US president

Cristiano Ronaldo was given the name in honor of Ronald Reagan, the former President of the United States. Ronaldo’s birth coincided with Reagan’s second term in the White House, as he was born just a month after Reagan’s inauguration. It is speculated that Ronaldo’s mother was an admirer of the 40th US president.

2. A story of rags to riches

Cristiano Ronaldo was not born into a wealthy family. He came from a financially disadvantaged background, being the youngest of four children in a Portuguese family from the Sao Pedro parish of Funchal.

His mother worked as a cook, and his father, who had alcoholism issues, worked as a gardener but sadly passed away in 2005 due to liver failure.

In her book “Mother Courage,” Ronaldo’s mother, Dolores Aveiro, shares her thoughts of considering terminating her pregnancy with Ronaldo due to their impoverished situation and her husband’s alcohol-related challenges.

3. He was named Little Bee and Cry Baby as a kid

During his childhood, Ronaldo earned the nickname “cry baby” from his family and friends due to his tendency to shed tears whenever he passed the ball and his friends failed to score, as revealed by his mother.

He was also affectionately referred to as “Little Bee” owing to his remarkable speed, a characteristic that still holds true to this very day.

4. His father was a kitman in his first club

Jose Dinis Aveiro, the father of Cristiano Ronaldo, served as a kit man at Andorinha club, where his son embarked on his football journey at the tender age of eight. Demonstrating an innate aptitude for the game, he swiftly caught the attention of Sporting CP’s youth academy scouts.

5. Underwent a heart surgery at the age of 15

Cristiano Ronaldo received a diagnosis of Tachycardia, a condition characterized by a heart rate exceeding 100 beats per minute. Due to the potential risks of stroke or heart failure, he underwent heart surgery at the age of 15.

His mother shared with the Daily Mail in 2009 that the medical team utilized a laser to address the issue, and that he underwent the procedure in the morning, recovering by the end of the afternoon. Remarkably, he was back on the soccer field within days following the surgery.

6. He has more jump power than a cheetah

Were you aware that Ronaldo generates an astounding five times the power of a cheetah in full flight when he jumps during a match? This extraordinary strength allows him to achieve an impressive 44 centimeters from a stationary position and an astonishing 78 centimeters with a running start. Surprisingly, this means he can jumo a remarkable 7 centimeters higher than the average NBA player.

7. Highest international goalscorer in men’s football

Cristiano Ronaldo holds the record for the most international goals scored by a male football player, with an impressive 118 goals for Portugal.

8. Has scored over 800 goals in his career

CR7 holds the record for the most career goals in men’s soccer with 807 goals. Lionel Messi is trailing by 48 goals, but it remains uncertain if he will be able to catch up considering their 3-year age gap.

9. First ever recipient of the Puskas award

Ronaldo made history as the inaugural recipient of the prestigious Puskas Award. Introduced in 2009, this accolade recognizes the most remarkable goal scored within a calendar year. Ronaldo’s extraordinary long-range strike against FC Porto during the 2008/09 Champions League for Manchester United secured him this esteemed honor.

10. His legs were insured for over €100 million

Back in 2009, Real Madrid made headlines by revealing that they had taken out a €100 million insurance policy on Cristiano Ronaldo’s legs. Surprisingly, this hefty sum pales in comparison to the jaw-dropping €750 million policy on Lionel Messi’s left foot.

11. Fastest football player in 2021

Ronaldo achieved a speed of 32.51 km/h during a game against West Ham in 2021, making him the fastest football player to reach this speed in any match that year. This feat surpassed the speeds of both his Manchester United teammate Aaron Wan-Bissaka and West Ham United forward Jarrod Bowen.

12. A subject of study at a university

It is worth noting that Cristiano Ronaldo is currently being studied at the University of British Columbia Okanagan in Canada. Sociology students at the institution can choose to delve into the life and professional journey of this renowned superstar as part of their coursework.

13. Museu CR7

Museu CR7 is a museum dedicated to Cristiano Ronaldo. This establishment was made to honor the life and accomplishments of the Portuguese soccer star.

Situated in Funchal, Madeira, Portugal, this museum exhibits a collection of memorabilia and artifacts from Ronaldo’s personal and professional journey, covering his early years, his ascent to stardom, and his triumphs on the field.

Visitors can enjoy an engaging and interactive visit, complete with multimedia presentations, hands-on activities, and personal possessions of Ronaldo, like his Ballon d’Or trophies and his jerseys from the Portugal national team.

14. A galaxy named after him

David Sobral, an Astrophysics Reader at the University of Lancaster, led a team of astronomers in 2015 to make a groundbreaking discovery using the Very Large Telescope (VLT) at the European Southern Observatory.

With assistance from the W. M. Keck Observatory, Subaru Telescope, and the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope, they unveiled a remarkable galaxy known as Cosmos Redshift 7 Galaxy or CR7 Galaxy. Interestingly, the name of this galaxy was inspired by none other than Ronaldo himself.

15. Airport named after Ronaldo

The Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport, formerly known as the Madeira International Airport, is situated on the picturesque island of Madeira in Portugal.

In 2017, the airport was renamed as a tribute to the legendary footballer Cristiano Ronaldo, who hails from Madeira and is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport.

Serving as a vital hub for numerous airlines, this airport facilitates seamless travel between Madeira and various European and Atlantic destinations.

16. A very successful businessman

Ronaldo has not only achieved success in his athletic career but has also established himself as a prosperous entrepreneur, offering a range of CR7 branded items such as clothing, shoes, and perfume. Furthermore, he owns a hotel, a museum, and several eateries in Madeira, Portugal.

17. He’s wealthy

Cristiano Ronaldo not only holds the title of the wealthiest soccer player globally, but he has also achieved the remarkable feat of becoming the first billionaire in the sport.

As reported by Forbes, in 2020, he became the inaugural active team-sport athlete to amass a staggering $1 billion in career earnings. Gone are the days of financial struggle for Ronaldo, as he now possesses a remarkable fortune.

With a property empire worth over $54 million, including a retirement mansion under construction and a portfolio of at least 8 homes, he enjoys a life of opulence.

He also indulges in his passion for luxury cars, boasting an impressive collection that includes a limited edition $10.7 million Bugatti Centodieci. Undoubtedly, Ronaldo lives the extravagant lifestyle of the elite 1%.

18. Has an endorsement deal with Nike

Ronaldo inked a lifetime endorsement agreement with Nike in 2016, worth a staggering $1 billion. He joined the ranks of LeBron James and Michael Jordan as the third athlete to secure such a lucrative deal.

Surprisingly, Forbes disclosed that Ronaldo’s social media presence in 2016 generated a value of $474 million for Nike through 329 posts.

19. Real Madrid paid a world record transfer fee for him

Cristiano Ronaldo made a move to Real Madrid in 2009 for a then-record transfer fee of £80 million. He played for nine seasons with the team, solidifying his reputation as one of the best players in history.

Throughout his tenure at Real Madrid, Ronaldo secured four Ballon d’Or awards, four Champions League titles, two La Liga titles, and various other accolades.

20. A philanthropist

Ronaldo, apart from his sporting achievements, is renowned for his philanthropic endeavors. In 2015, he established the Cristiano Ronaldo Foundation with the aim of assisting underprivileged children, and he has actively participated in various other charitable projects ever since.