There are very few players in the modern game of soccer who have achieved as much success as Cristiano Ronaldo. This dazzling soccer star has won most of the individual awards in world soccer. He has also achieved a lot of success with soccer clubs like Manchester United of England and Real Madrid of Spain. He is the captain of the Portugal national team and a key player for Real Madrid soccer club.

Early Life

Cristiano Ronaldo Dos Santos Aveiro was born in Madiera Portugal on Febraury 5 1985. His parents were Maria Dolores dos Santos Aveiro and José Dinis Aveiro. The young Ronaldo was born into a very humble background because his mother was a cook while his father was a gardener. Ronaldo began his soccer career in Portugal and played for both Clube de Futebol Andorinha de Santo António and Clube Desportivo Nacional before he joined Sporting Lisbon in 1997.

Manchester United Career

In 2003, Premier League giants Manchester United signed Cristiano Ronaldo from Sporting Lisbon. The transfer fee was about 12.2 million pounds sterling. It would prove to be money well spent because, under the tutelage of the great Sir Alex Ferguson, Ronaldo became one of the best players in the world. As a Manchester United player, Ronaldo developed his game and his years at United were very successful ones for the club. Ronaldo won three Premier League trophies with United, a Carling Cup, an FA Cup and a Champions League trophy. He also won a number of other smaller trophies with this English club.

He also won a number of individual awards during his Manchester career. Some of these were Premier League Golden Boot 2007–08 , Barclays Merit Award, 2007–08 UEFA Champions League Top goal scorer 2007–08, European Golden Shoe, 2007–08, UEFA Club Forward of the Year 2007–08, UEFA Club Footballer of the Year 2007–08 and the FIFA Club World Cup Silver Ball 2008. Other awards were the Ballon d’Or 2008, FIFA World Player of the Year 2008, FIFPro World Player of the Year 2008, Onze d’Or 2008 and the World Soccer Player of the Year 2008.

Real Madrid Career

After winning everything there was to win in the English game, Ronaldo moved to Real Madrid soccer club of Spain. The transfer fee was an incredible 80 million pounds sterling. This fee remains an unbroken soccer transfer record. Ronaldo was handed the No. 9 jersey at Real Madrid. This means that he will operate as a striker for Real Madrid. So far Ronaldo has scored vital goals for the Spanish club. He has also won the Copa Del Rey trophy with Real Madrid.

Ronaldo’s Playing Style

As a soccer player, Ronaldo is the dream of every soccer coach. He is gifted with pace, dribbling skills and a rocket of a shot. At 6ft 1in, he is a danger in the air and he scores with his head as well. He is also a set piece expert because he is great at both corner kicks and free kicks. Ronaldo is one of the few players who have been top scorer in both the English soccer league and the Spanish soccer league. He holds the record as the player who has scored the most goals in a soccer season for Real Madrid and in the Spanish La Liga.

Personal Life

At present, Ronaldo is not married but he has a son who was born on 3 July 2010. At just 26 years of age, Ronaldo has achieved so much already. In the years ahead, it is expected that he will achieve even more.