Cristiano Ronaldo (Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro, born 5 February 1985) is a Portuguese forward who plays for Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League and is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time. He has won five Ballon d'Or awards, five UEFA Champions League titles and the 2016 European Championship with Portugal. He is his country's record cap holder and top scorer, and he announced his retirement from international football on 5 November 2026. This biography follows his life and career up to November 2026.
Cristiano Ronaldo at a Glance
| Full name | Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro |
| Born | 5 February 1985, Funchal, Madeira, Portugal |
| Age | 41 (as of November 2026) |
| Profession | Professional footballer (forward) |
| Current club | Al Nassr (Saudi Pro League) |
| Ballon d'Or | Five: 2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017 |
| Portugal record | 234 caps and 146 goals, both national records |
| Major titles with Portugal | Euro 2016; UEFA Nations League 2019 and 2025 |
| International retirement | Announced 5 November 2026 |
| Spouse | Georgina Rodríguez (married 11 August 2026) |
Early Life in Madeira
Ronaldo was born in Funchal on the island of Madeira to a family with little money. His mother worked as a cook and cleaner, and his father was a municipal gardener who also helped with the kit at a local club, Andorinha. He has an older brother, Hugo, and two older sisters, Elma and Katia. In 1997, aged 12, he joined the youth system of Sporting CP after a three-day trial, and he made his senior debut for Sporting in 2002 at 17.
Manchester United and Real Madrid
Manchester United signed him in 2003 for £12 million, and he won three Premier League titles, the 2007-08 UEFA Champions League and the 2008 Club World Cup there. He won his first Ballon d'Or in 2008. In 2009 he moved to Real Madrid for a then world-record £80 million and became the club's all-time leading scorer. He won four Champions League titles in Madrid, and with the one he won at United he has five, and he collected four more Ballon d'Or awards in 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2017.
Juventus, United Again and Al Nassr
Ronaldo joined Juventus in 2018 and won two Serie A titles and the Coppa Italia. He returned to Manchester United in 2021, but the club ended his contract on 22 November 2022 after he criticised the club and its manager in a television interview. Al Nassr announced his signing on 30 December 2022, and he made his debut on 22 January 2023. On 21 May 2026 he scored twice in a 4-1 win over Damac on the final day of the season that gave Al Nassr the 2025-26 Saudi Pro League title, his first league title with the club.
Portugal and the 2026 World Cup
Ronaldo made his Portugal debut in 2003 and captained the team for many years. He led Portugal to its first major title at Euro 2016 and was part of the squads that won the UEFA Nations League in 2019 and 2025. At the 2026 World Cup he scored twice in a 5-0 win over Uzbekistan and a penalty in a 2-1 win over Croatia in the round of 32, which made him the first man to score at six different World Cups. Portugal lost 1-0 to Spain in the round of 16 on 6 July 2026.
On 5 November 2026 he announced his retirement from international football after 23 years. He leaves as Portugal's record appearance holder, with 234 caps, and its record goalscorer, with 146 goals. His departure followed a dispute with the national coach earlier in the season. His career total stands at more than 970 senior goals for club and country.
Personal Life
Ronaldo and Georgina Rodríguez announced their engagement in August 2025, and they married in a civil ceremony in Cascais, Portugal, on 11 August 2026. He has five children: Cristiano Jr., the twins Eva and Mateo, and Alana and Bella, with Rodríguez. A sixth child, Ángel, one of a pair of twins, died at birth in April 2022.
Legacy
Ronaldo is admired for his work rate, his heading ability and his scoring across four leagues, and his five Ballon d'Or awards put him second to Lionel Messi. He has played into his forties and won titles in Europe and Asia. His influence also reaches beyond the pitch through his very large social media following and his business interests.
