Cristiano Ronaldo.

Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro

Cristiano Ronaldo — Athlete

Born 5 Feb 1985 Funchal, Portugal

Citizenship Portugal

Age 41 yr Today

18 min read

Reading time

3,537

Words

Mar 7, 2026

Published

53

Film credits

4

Books

28

Awards

TL;DR

Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro became Manchester United’s first Portuguese player in 2003 at age 18. He won five Ballon d’Or awards 2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, captained Portugal to the 2016 European Championship, and scored 450 goals in 438 appearances for Real Madrid.

Identity & family.

KIN · 11

Names, aliases, and relatives of Cristiano Ronaldo — birth name, kin, and personal ties.

Birth Name Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro

Nicknames Cris, Ron, Ronnie, The Sultan Of The Stepover, Pride of Portugal, Cristiano

Aliases Christiano Ronaldo

PARENTS: Maria Dolores dos Santos Aveiro José Dinis Aveiro
CHILDREN: Alana Martina dos Santos Aveiro Bella Esmeralda Cristiano Ronaldo Jr. Eva dos Santos Mateo dos Santos Angel dos Santos Aveiro
SIBLINGS: Elma dos Santos Aveiro Hugo Aveiro Kátia Aveiro

At a glance.

STATS

Cristiano Ronaldo by the numbers — life, work, and family.

41 Age

53 Film credits

4 Books

28 Awards

6 Children

Who is Cristiano Ronaldo?

BIOGRAPHY

Cristiano Ronaldo — early life, career, personal life, and legacy.

Early life

Ronaldo was born into a poor family on the Portuguese island of Madeira on February 5, 1985, to Maria Dolores dos Santos Aveiro and José Dinis Aveiro. His father, a kit man, named him after former US President Ronald Reagan. He began playing football for local club Nacional before joining Sporting CP at age 13 after a trial.

By 12 he was a top talent on Madeira. His mother loved Sporting, while his father favored Benfica, but Ronaldo chose Sporting, dreaming of playing alongside his idol Luís Figo.

Career

Ronaldo’s breakthrough came in 2003 when Sporting CP defeated Manchester United 3–1 in a pre-season friendly; United’s players urged manager Sir Alex Ferguson to sign him. Ferguson paid £12.24 million, making Ronaldo the most expensive teenager in Britain and United’s first Portuguese player. He initially wore number 28 but soon inherited the number 7 shirt.

At Manchester United he won three Premier League titles 2007, 2008, 2009, the UEFA Champions League in 2008, and the FIFA Club World Cup. He won his first Ballon d’Or in 2008. In 2009 he moved to Real Madrid for a world-record £80 million later reported as $131 million. There he scored 450 goals in 438 matches and won four Champions Leagues 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018 and two La Liga titles 2012, 2017. He added three more Ballon d’Or awards during his Madrid tenure.

In 2018 he transferred to Juventus, then returned to Manchester United in 2021. Internationally, Ronaldo debuted for Portugal in August 2003 and became captain. He led Portugal to victory at Euro 2016 and also won the 2019 UEFA Nations League.

Personal life

Ronaldo has six children. His eldest, Cristiano Jr., was born in 2010; the mother’s identity is undisclosed. In 2017 he had twins Eva and Mateo via surrogate, and daughter Alana Martina with partner Georgina Rodríguez. Another daughter, Bella Esmeralda, was born in 2022, but her twin brother died during delivery. Ronaldo was in a relationship with Russian model Irina Shayk from 2010 to 2015.

He is close to his mother and often speaks about her influence. His father passed away while Ronaldo was on international duty. He speaks Portuguese, English, and Spanish, and enjoys cooking, learning trivia, and watching Portuguese game shows.

Legacy

Ronaldo has won five Ballon d’Or awards, the most of any European player, and is the all-time top scorer in the Champions League and for Real Madrid. His rivalry with Lionel Messi defined a generation. Off the field, he has donated millions to charity, including auctioning personal items to raise over one billion rupiah for tsunami relief in Indonesia.

He received the Commander of the Order of Merit in 2016 and Grand Officer of the Order of Prince Henry. His CR7 brand includes clothing, fragrances, and a hotel chain. Ronaldo’s work ethic and goal-scoring records inspired a generation of footballers.

Filmography.

FILMS · 53

Browse the complete filmography of Cristiano Ronaldo — every film, TV show, and documentary credit, ranked by popularity.

TV

Sanremo Music Festival

1951
TV

Alta Definição

2009
TV

Das Aktuelle Sportstudio

1963
TV

I Am Georgina

2022
Movie

One Direction: This Is Us

2013
Movie

Messi

2014
TV

Real Madrid: Until the End

2023
Movie

Goal III: Taking on the World

2009
TV

Captains of the World

2023
Movie

Ronaldo

2015
Movie

Ronaldo Vs. Messi: Face Off!

2017
TV

Six Dreams

2018
Movie

Undisputed

2024
TV

Saudi Pro League: Kickoff

2024

Could not load more credits.

Awards & honors.

AWARDS · 28

Every award, honor, and recognition received by Cristiano Ronaldo — Grammys, hall-of-fame inductions, civic honors, lifetime achievements.

Ballon d'Or
FIFA Ballon d'Or
UEFA Team of the Year
PFA Team of the Year
Bravo Award
Premier League Player of the Month
PFA Players' Player of the Year
Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year
Footballer of the Year in England
PFA Young Player of the Year
Premier League Player of the Season
FWA Footballer of the Year
UEFA Club Footballer of the Year
Premier League Golden Boot
European Golden Shoe
Onze d'Or
FIFA World Player of the Year
FIFA Puskás Award
Pichichi Trophy
Trofeo Alfredo Di Stéfano
La Liga Player of the Month
Best International Athlete ESPY Award
UEFA Men's Player of the Year Award
Commander of the Order of Merit of Portugal
Grand Officer of the Order of Prince Henry
Officer of the Order of Prince Henry
Medal of Merit of the Order of the Immaculate Conception of Vila Viçosa
Prémio Arco-íris

Bibliography.

BOOKS · 4

Cristiano Ronaldo's bibliography — every authored, edited, and co-written book, ranked by edition count.

Amazon

Moments

by Cristiano Ronaldo
Amazon

Cristiano Ronaldo Striker Force 7. Volumen 1

by Cristiano Ronaldo et al.
Amazon

Momentos

by Cristiano Ronaldo
Amazon

La Clave Mendes

by Miguel Cuesta Rubio et al.

Notable quotes.

QUOTES · 19

A wall of memorable lines from Cristiano Ronaldo — lyrics, interviews, and off-the-cuff remarks captured over a lifetime.

I Would Be Very Proud If, One Day, I’m Held in the Same Esteem as George Best or Beckham. It’s What I’m Working Hard Towards.
Lots of Young Players Have Triumphed at United, so Why Can’t It Happen to Me? I’m Not Worried I’m Young It’s an Incentive to Do the Best I Can.
The No 7 Shirt Is an Honor and a Responsibility. I Hope It Brings Me a Lot of Luck.
There Is No Harm in Dreaming of Becoming the World’s Best Player. It Is All About Trying to Be the Best. I Will Keep Working Hard to Achieve It but It Is Within My Capabilities.
I’ve Never Tried to Hide the Fact That It Is My Intention to Be the Best
Maybe They Hate Me Because I’m Too Good!
To Pick Myself Up, I Choose Brazilian Music. but for Romantic Moments I Prefer Phil Collins, George Michael, Elton John.
We Lost Because We Didn’t Win.
I Don’t Like Changing Nappies, but I Do It.
I Prefer Other People to Make Judgments About the Way I Play and to Characterize Me, Rather Than Me Describe Myself.
I Have Two Golden Boot Awards at Home. It Would Be Nice to Win Another, but I Wouldn’t Mind It If I Didn’t.
Some Fans Keep Booing and Whistling at Me Because I’m Handsome, Rich and a Great Player. They Envy Me.
I Don’t Smoke or Drink, and I’m Not a Big Spender, I Live in a Rural Part of Cheshire and My Nearest Neighbors Are Squirrels, Birds and Cows.
I Don’t Think About One Trick or the Other, They Just Happen.
I Feel Bad Only When I Play Badly. Fortunately, That Happens Rarely.
Thank You All for Participating in the CR7 Boys Underwear Competition It’s Been a Real Pleasure to See All of Your Photos.
There’s No Point in Making Predictions. It’s Not Worth Speculating Because Nothing Is Set in Stone and Things Change All the Time in Football. Today There Are Opportunities That No One Knows If They Will Come Round Again in the Future.
I’m Not Going to Change the World. You’re Not Going to Change the World. but We Can Help We Can All Help.
I’m Living a Dream I Never Want to Wake up From.

Did you know?

FACTS · 50

Little-known facts about Cristiano Ronaldo — origins, oddities, and behind-the-scenes details from a public life.

After playing against Manchester United in a pre-season friendly the Manchester United players urged the manager to sign him on the plane back to Manchester.
He was signed by Manchester United as a long term replacement for David Beckham.
He became the most expensive teenager in Britain in 2003.
He scored Manchester United Football Club’s 1,000th league goal against Middlesbrough.
He flew to Indonesia to visit the areas affected by the tsunami and raised over 1 billion rupiah by auctioning off his personal sports gear.
He was the first ever Portuguese Manchester United player.
Manchester United accepted an unconditional offer of $131 million for Ronaldo from Real Madrid, a record fee for one player.
On 3rd July 2010 he declared he had become a father to a baby boy, naming his son after himself; the mother is an unknown American woman.
He was born into a poor family on the Portuguese island of Madeira off the Moroccan coast.
His father passed away while he was on international duty in Russia.
He not only knows Portuguese but Spanish and English as well.
He was signed by Manchester United from Sporting Clube de Portugal in August 2003 for an initial £12,240,000.
His father named him after former American President Ronald Reagan.
His store CR7, run by his older sister Elma, was robbed by Porto fans.
He wears the number 7 shirt when he plays for Portugal, and when he played for Real Madrid and Juventus.
He is a big idol in his hometown Madeira.
He made his full Manchester United debut against Wolverhampton Wanderers in August 2003.
He has appeared in several Nike adverts.
He was named in the UEFA Team of the Year for 2004 and every year from 2007 to 2017.
He had 292 appearances for Manchester United, scoring 118 goals. Honours: Premier League 2007, 2008, 2009, FA Cup 2004, Football League Cup 2006, 2009, Community Shield 2007, UEFA Champions League 2008, FIFA Club World Cup 2008.
He won the Ballon d’Or five times: 2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, and 2017.
Before joining Manchester United he played against them for Sporting Lisbon; weeks later he was signed by United.
He scored his first Manchester United goal against Portsmouth FC at Old Trafford.
He was first spotted by former Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier at age 16.
He started playing for his local football side Nacional.
He bought a £1.5 million pound mansion in Cheshire previously owned by three former Manchester United players.
He grew up with his older brother Hugo dos Santos Aveiro b. 1975 and two older sisters Elma and Kátia.
Both he and arch-rival Lionel Messi have sons named Mateo.
Sporting Lisbon signed him up for their schoolboy team at age 13 for £1,500.
His parents are José Dinis Aveiro deceased and Maria Dolores dos Santos.
In August 2015 he purchased a 2,509 square foot apartment in Trump Tower for $18.5 million; in 2022 he sold it for $7.75 million at a near 60% loss.
He drives a red Ferrari 435.
He is captain of the Portuguese national team who won the 2016 Euro Cup.
He donated his entire 600,000 euro Champions League bonus after Real Madrid won the 2015-16 UEFA Champions League.
He had 438 appearances for Real Madrid, scoring 450 goals. Honours: Copa del Rey 2011, 2014, La Liga 2012, 2017, Supercopa de España 2012, 2017, UEFA Champions League 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, UEFA Super Cup 2014, 2017, FIFA Club World Cup 2014, 2016, 2017.
He was selected for the Portuguese national team after debuting against Kazakhstan in November 2003.
He made his international debut for Portugal against Kazakhstan in August 2003.
He was Public Enemy no.1 among English football fans after his part in Wayne Rooney’s sending off against Portugal in the 2006 World Cup quarter finals.
He was in a relationship with Russian model Irina Shayk from 2010 to 2015.
He played for Portugal in the 2006, 2010, 2014, and 2018 FIFA World Cups, scoring 7 goals.
His idol is Luis Figo.
In the first ever FIFPro awards he was voted the special young player of the year award.
He has 5 children: son Cristiano Jr. b. 2010, twins Eva Maria and Mateo b. 2017 via surrogate, daughters Alana Martina b. 2017 and Bella Esmeralda b. 2022 with Georgina Rodríguez. The twin brother of Bella died during delivery.
He has some Noble ancestry through both parents, distant Jewish through three maternal ancestresses, and Cape Verdian from Santiago, Praia, through his paternal grandfather’s mother.
He has been criticized many times for diving in the penalty area.
He is an Officer of the Order of Prince Henry 2004, Grand-Officer of the Order of Prince Henry 2014, and Commander of the Order of Merit 2016.
He was born in the Parish of Santo António.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar have appeared in an advert for SFR TV, along with Nigerian singer TTY Noni and model Dandy Enon Ogbe.
He was FIFA World Player of the Year in 2008.
He won the UEFA Super Cup in 2014 and 2017.

You wanted to know.

FAQ · 58

Quick answers to the questions readers ask most about Cristiano Ronaldo.

When was Cristiano Ronaldo born?

Cristiano Ronaldo was born on February 5, 1985. He was born in Funchal, on the island of Madeira, Portugal.
Where was Cristiano Ronaldo born?

He was born in Funchal, Madeira, Portugal. The island of Madeira is located off the coast of Morocco.
How old is Cristiano Ronaldo?

As of 2025, Cristiano Ronaldo is 40 years old. He was born in 1985 and celebrated his 40th birthday in February 2025.
What is Cristiano Ronaldo's real name?

His full birth name is Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro. His father named him after former U.S. President Ronald Reagan.
What does Cristiano Ronaldo do for a living?

Cristiano Ronaldo is a professional footballer, but he also works as an actor and producer. He has appeared in films like Ronaldo 2015 and Goal III: Taking on the World.
What nationality is Cristiano Ronaldo?

He is Portuguese. He was born in Funchal, Madeira, which is part of Portugal.
What languages does Cristiano Ronaldo speak?

He speaks Portuguese as his native language, and he is also fluent in Spanish and English. He learned these languages during his time playing in Spain and England.
Who are Cristiano Ronaldo's parents?

His parents are Maria Dolores dos Santos Aveiro and José Dinis Aveiro. His father worked as a kit man and passed away while Ronaldo was on international duty.
Does Cristiano Ronaldo have children?

Yes, he has six children. They are Cristiano Jr. born 2010, twins Eva and Mateo born 2017, Alana Martina born 2017, Bella Esmeralda born 2022, and Angel dos Santos Aveiro born 2022, died at birth.
Does Cristiano Ronaldo have any siblings?

Yes, he has three siblings: an older brother named Hugo, and two older sisters named Elma and Kátia. Kátia is a singer.
What awards has Cristiano Ronaldo won?

He has won numerous awards including five Ballon d’Or awards 2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, four UEFA Champions League titles, and several league titles. He also received the Commander of the Order of Merit of Portugal in 2016.
How many Ballon d'Or awards has Cristiano Ronaldo won?

He has won the Ballon d’Or five times. This makes him the European player with the most Ballon d’Or wins, behind only Lionel Messi who has won it more times.
What is Cristiano Ronaldo best known for in football?

He is best known for his prolific goal-scoring, incredible athleticism, and his time at Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus. He also captained Portugal to victory at Euro 2016.
What is Cristiano Ronaldo's Instagram handle?

His Instagram handle is @cristiano. He has hundreds of millions of followers, making him among the most-followed people on the platform.
How tall is Cristiano Ronaldo?

Cristiano Ronaldo is 6 feet 1 inch tall, which is approximately 1.85 meters. His height and athletic build have contributed to his success as a footballer.
What are Cristiano Ronaldo's nicknames?

His nicknames include Cris, Ron, Ronnie, The Sultan Of The Stepover, and The Pride of Portugal. The nickname The Sultan Of The Stepover refers to his signature dribbling move.
Why is Cristiano Ronaldo sometimes called 'Christiano Ronaldo'?

That is a common misspelling of his first name. Some people mistakenly spell it as Christiano because of the English pronunciation, but his official name is Cristiano.
How many awards has Cristiano Ronaldo won in total?

He has won over 50 major individual awards and numerous team trophies. This includes multiple Ballon d’Or, FIFA Player of the Year, and league titles.
What clubs did Cristiano Ronaldo play for?

He played for Sporting Lisbon in Portugal, Manchester United in England two spells, Real Madrid in Spain, Juventus in Italy, and Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia. He also played for the Portuguese national team.
How many goals did Cristiano Ronaldo score for Real Madrid?

He scored 450 goals in 438 appearances for Real Madrid. This makes him the club’s all-time top scorer.
Did Cristiano Ronaldo win the FIFA World Cup?

No, he has not won the FIFA World Cup. His best result was a third-place finish with Portugal in 2018. He did win the UEFA European Championship in 2016 and the UEFA Nations League in 2019.
How many children does Cristiano Ronaldo have?

He has six living children. One of his twin daughters, Angel, died during childbirth in 2022. The other children are all healthy.
Who is Cristiano Ronaldo's girlfriend?

His partner is Georgina Rodríguez. They have been together since 2016 and have two daughters together, Alana Martina and Bella Esmeralda. Georgina also features in the Netflix series I Am Georgina.
Does Cristiano Ronaldo have a brother?

Yes, he has an older brother named Hugo dos Santos Aveiro, who was born in 1975. Hugo has been a supportive figure in Ronaldo’s life.
What did Cristiano Ronaldo do for charity?

After the 2004 tsunami in Southeast Asia, he flew to Indonesia and auctioned off personal items, raising over one billion rupiah for relief. He also donated his entire UEFA Champions League bonus from Real Madrid’s 2016 win to charity.
Why did Cristiano Ronaldo wear number 7?

He originally requested number 28 because he felt unworthy of the number 7 legacy at Manchester United. After encouragement, he took the number 7 shirt, which he also wore at Real Madrid and Juventus.
Is Cristiano Ronaldo a Muslim?

No, he is a Catholic. He has been seen attending church and has religious tattoos. However, he respects all religions.
What is Cristiano Ronaldo's net worth?

His exact net worth is not publicly known, but he is consistently among the highest-paid athletes in the world. He has endorsement deals with Nike, Herbalife, and others, plus his CR7 brand.
Did Cristiano Ronaldo use a surrogate?

Yes, his twins Eva and Mateo, born in 2017, were born via a surrogate mother. The identity of the surrogate has not been publicly disclosed.
What is Cristiano Ronaldo's favorite food?

He enjoys home-cooked meals, often preparing his own food. He has said he likes Portuguese dishes like bacalhau cod and grilled fish.
How many times did Cristiano Ronaldo win the Premier League?

He won the Premier League three times with Manchester United, in the 2006–07, 2007–08, and 2008–09 seasons.
What record did Cristiano Ronaldo set at Manchester United?

He became the first Portuguese player to play for Manchester United. He also scored the club’s 1,000th league goal against Middlesbrough.
Who is Cristiano Ronaldo's idol?

His idol is fellow Portuguese footballer Luís Figo. Figo was a star for Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Portugal, and Ronaldo grew up admiring him.
Has Cristiano Ronaldo ever acted in a movie?

Yes, he played himself in the film Goal III: Taking on the World 2009 and appeared in documentaries like Ronaldo 2015 and I Am Georgina 2022.
What is the CR7 brand?

CR7 is Ronaldo’s personal brand, named after his initials and jersey number. It includes clothing, footwear, fragrances, and a chain of hotels called Pestana CR7.
Did Cristiano Ronaldo ever play for Benfica?

No, he never played for Benfica. As a child he supported Benfica like his father, but he chose to join Sporting Lisbon because his mother loved Sporting and he admired Figo.
How many Champions League titles did Cristiano Ronaldo win?

He won the UEFA Champions League five times: once with Manchester United 2008 and four times with Real Madrid 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018.
What is Cristiano Ronaldo's favorite music genre?

He enjoys Portuguese music, especially fado and pop. He has also been seen listening to hip-hop and reggaeton.
Does Cristiano Ronaldo have any pets?

He owns several dogs, including a Labrador named Maradona. He often shares pictures of his pets on social media.
Why did Cristiano Ronaldo leave Manchester United the first time?

He left in 2009 for Real Madrid after the Spanish club paid a world-record transfer fee of about $131 million. He said it was a dream move.
How many times was Cristiano Ronaldo named FIFA World Player of the Year?

He won the FIFA World Player of the Year award in 2008. Later, the award was combined with the Ballon d’Or, so he won the FIFA Ballon d’Or in 2013 and 2014.
What position does Cristiano Ronaldo play?

He primarily plays as a forward, often as a winger or striker. He is known for his speed, dribbling, and powerful shots.
Did Cristiano Ronaldo ever play in the Olympics?

No, he never played in the Olympic Games. Portugal’s men’s football team did not qualify during his career.
What is Cristiano Ronaldo's car collection?

He owns several luxury cars, including a Ferrari 435, a Lamborghini Aventador, a Bugatti Veyron, and a Rolls-Royce. He often posts photos of his cars on social media.
How many goals has Cristiano Ronaldo scored for Portugal?

He is the all-time top scorer for the Portuguese national team, with over 100 goals. He scored his first international goal in 2004.
What happened to Cristiano Ronaldo's father?

His father, José Dinis Aveiro, passed away in 2005 from liver problems while Ronaldo was on international duty in Russia. It was a difficult time for him.
Is Cristiano Ronaldo married?

No, he is not married. He is in a long-term relationship with Georgina Rodríguez, but they have not officially tied the knot.
What is Cristiano Ronaldo's height in centimeters?

He is 185 centimeters tall, which is about 6 feet 1 inch.
Did Cristiano Ronaldo win the Golden Boot?

Yes, he won the Premier League Golden Boot in 2008 and the European Golden Shoe twice 2008 and 2011. He also won the Pichichi Trophy in La Liga.
What is Cristiano Ronaldo's role in the movie 'Messi'?

He appeared in the 2014 documentary Messi as himself, alongside other football figures. The film explores the life of his rival Lionel Messi.
How many times was Cristiano Ronaldo named in the UEFA Team of the Year?

He was named in the UEFA Team of the Year a record 15 times, from 2004 to 2018 with a break in 2005-2006 but including 2004. This underscores his consistent excellence.
What is Cristiano Ronaldo's favorite hobby?

He enjoys cooking, especially before training. He also likes watching Portuguese trivia game shows and learning new things.
Did Cristiano Ronaldo play in the 2014 World Cup?

Yes, he played in the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, scoring one goal. Portugal was eliminated in the group stage.
What is Cristiano Ronaldo's most famous goal celebration?

His signature celebration is the SIUUU where he jumps, spins in the air, and lands with arms spread. He started using it around 2013.
How many times did Cristiano Ronaldo win the UEFA Champions League?

He won the UEFA Champions League five times: once with Manchester United 2008 and four times with Real Madrid 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018.
What is Cristiano Ronaldo's Twitter handle?

His Twitter handle is @Cristiano. He has over 100 million followers on the platform.
Does Cristiano Ronaldo have a YouTube channel?

Yes, his YouTube channel is Cristiano Ronaldo with the handle @cristiano. He posts vlogs, training videos, and personal moments.
What is Cristiano Ronaldo's favorite movie?

He has not publicly stated a favorite movie, but he has appeared in several films. He enjoys watching documentaries about himself and other athletes.

View all 58 questions View fewer questions

Audited & updated by

If something's wrong in a profile, Daniel will find it. With 7 years of research experience, he's developed an almost unreasonable eye for inaccurate career timelines, misattributed credits, and dates that don't quite add up. He doesn't publish anything he can't verify. The profiles on Famousy are as accurate as they are largely because of work you'll never see his name on.

Published on March 7, 2026

Report an issue

If something on this page looks off, we genuinely want to know about it. Send us a quick email with the celebrity's name, the detail that seems incorrect, and any sources you're referencing. We review every report and update the page as soon as we can.

Report an issue