Portrait · Bryan Berlin / WikiPortraits / CC BY-SA 4.0

Cristiano Ronaldo

Professional footballer

Born 1985

Cristiano Ronaldo is a Portuguese forward and captain whose scoring, aerial ability, movement and longevity have made him one of football's defining figures. Raised in Madeira, he joined Sporting CP at 12 and made his senior debut at 17 before moving to Manchester United in 2003. Under Alex Ferguson he developed from a winger into a prolific attacker, winning three consecutive Premier League titles, the 2008 UEFA Champions League and his first Ballon d'Or. A then-world-record transfer took him to Real Madrid in 2009, where he became the club's all-time leading scorer with 451 goals in 438 official matches and won four more Champions League titles. He later won two Serie A titles with Juventus, returned to United, and joined Al Nassr in 2023. Ronaldo captained Al Nassr to the 2025–26 Saudi Pro League title and remains contracted through 2027. For Portugal, he led the team to UEFA EURO 2016 and Nations League titles in 2019 and 2025, became the men's international leader for appearances and goals, and in 2026 became the first player to score at six FIFA World Cups. He said the 2026 tournament was his final World Cup, while continuing to represent Portugal and pursue his 1,000th senior career goal.

Verified identityCore facts checked against named sources.

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Connected people

ConnectionGeorgina RodríguezWife and partner since their relationship began in Madrid; they married in August 2026.

ConnectionAlex FergusonManchester United manager who developed Ronaldo from a young winger into a Ballon d'Or-winning forward.

ConnectionWayne RooneyManchester United teammate during three Premier League titles and the 2008 Champions League victory.

Provenance before publication

Source Ledger

Identity, career, awards, current coverage and image rights are listed here so the profile can be checked without guesswork.

UEFA

What UEFA records does Cristiano Ronaldo hold?

Current records and career totals.

Sep 23, 2026 OfficialOriginal

UEFA

Cristiano Ronaldo's 146 international goals

Portugal scoring chronology.

Sep 21, 2026 OfficialOriginal

FIFA

Record-setting Ronaldo says goodbye to the World Cup

Final World Cup statement and tournament totals.

Jul 6, 2026 OfficialOriginal

Saudi Pro League

Cristiano's Coronation: How Ronaldo drove Al Nassr to title glory

Saudi league title and current club record.

May 28, 2026 OfficialOriginal

Saudi Pro League

Ronaldo renewal: Cristiano commits to Al Nassr until 2027

Current contract and club status.

Jun 26, 2025 OfficialOriginal

Saudi Pro League

Cristiano Ronaldo interview: Life is good, football is good. But I want more.

First-person Saudi career context.

Jan 3, 2025 PrimaryOriginal

Real Madrid CF

Cristiano Ronaldo: History and honours

Real Madrid record and honours.

Date not supplied OfficialOriginal

Sporting CP

Academia Cristiano Ronaldo

Youth arrival and senior debut.

Sep 21, 2020 OfficialOriginal

Associated Press

Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodriguez tie the knot after 10 years

Representative-confirmed marriage.

Aug 11, 2026 PrimaryOriginal

Premier League or LaLiga? Cristiano reveals his preference

Direct dated music preference.

Feb 24, 2016 PrimaryOriginal

Image rights ledger

Cristiano Ronaldo playing for Portugal at the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Media: Bryan Berlin / WikiPortraits

Own-work Commons photograph; editorial use only and no model or publicity release claimed.

Source file CC BY-SA 4.0

Cristiano Ronaldo during Portugal's match against Croatia at the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Media: Bryan Berlin / WikiPortraits

Own-work Commons action photograph; editorial use only and no model or publicity release claimed.

Source file CC BY-SA 4.0