Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Cristiano Ronaldo
How Cristiano Ronaldo built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Cristiano Ronaldo, widely considered one of the greatest footballers, captains both Al-Nassr and the Portugal national team. He boasts an impressive array of individual awards, including five Ballon d'Ors and a record three UEFA Men's Player of the Year Awards. His trophy cabinet includes five UEFA Champions League titles and a UEFA European Championship. Ronaldo holds numerous records, such as the most Champions League goals (140) and assists (42), European Championship goals (14) and assists (8), and international appearances (226) and goals (143). He is the only player to score 100+ goals for four different clubs and is the all-time leading goalscorer with over 960 senior career goals.
1997: Signed with Sporting CP
In 1997, Ronaldo went on a three-day trial with Sporting CP and signed with them.
2000: Didn't start a knockout game since Euro 2000
In the 2022 World Cup, Cristiano Ronaldo was dropped from the starting line-up for Portugal's last 16 match, marking the first time Portugal had started a knockout game without Ronaldo in the starting line-up at an international tournament since Euro 2000.
August 2002: First Official Match for Sporting CP
On 14 August 2002, Ronaldo played his first official match for Sporting CP in a UEFA Champions League qualifying round.
August 2003: Signed by Manchester United
On 12 August 2003, Ronaldo signed for Manchester United for £12 million, an England record for a teenager.
August 2003: Manchester United Debut
On 16 August 2003, Ronaldo made his debut for Manchester United as a substitute in a Premier League match.
August 2003: Debut for Portugal
On 20 August 2003, at the age of 18, Cristiano Ronaldo made his debut for Portugal as a substitute against Kazakhstan.
2003: Signed with Manchester United
In 2003, Ronaldo signed with Manchester United and started his career there.
2003: International Debut for Portugal
In 2003, at the age of 18, Ronaldo made his international debut for Portugal.
May 2004: FA Cup Final Victory
On 15 May 2004, Ronaldo scored the opening goal in a victory against Aston Villa and later received a red card. He won the FA Cup Final against Millwall.
2004: Good Matches
At the start of 2005, Ronaldo played two of his best matches of the 2004–05 season, producing a goal and an assist against Aston Villa and scoring twice against rivals Arsenal.
2004: First International Goal at UEFA Euro 2004
In 2004, at UEFA Euro 2004, Cristiano Ronaldo scored his first international goal in a 2–1 group stage loss to Greece, during his eighth international appearance. Despite Portugal losing to Greece again in the final, Ronaldo made the team of the tournament, with two assists and two goals.
2005: Good Matches
At the start of 2005, Ronaldo played two of his best matches of the 2004–05 season, producing a goal and an assist against Aston Villa and scoring twice against rivals Arsenal.
2006: Opening of CR7 Fashion Boutique in Madeira
In 2006, Cristiano Ronaldo opened his first fashion boutique under the name CR7 on the island of Madeira.
2006: Youngest Goalscorer for Portugal at a World Cup
In the 2006 FIFA World Cup, at the age of 21 years and 132 days, Cristiano Ronaldo became the youngest ever goalscorer for Portugal at a World Cup finals. Portugal reached the semi-finals, but lost to France, with Ronaldo being booed during their defeat, due to an incident that occurred in the quarter-finals against England.
2007: Publication of Autobiography 'Moments'
In 2007, Cristiano Ronaldo's autobiography, titled 'Moments', was published.
January 2008: First Hat-Trick for Manchester United
On 12 January 2008, Ronaldo scored his first hat-trick for Manchester United against Newcastle United. In addition to other awards he won the Premier League Golden Boot.
2008: UEFA Euro 2008
Ahead of UEFA Euro 2008, Cristiano Ronaldo wore the number 7 shirt. Despite scoring eight goals in qualifications, he scored just one goal in the finals, netting the second goal of Portugal's 3–1 win in the group stage game against the Czech Republic. Portugal were eliminated in the quarter-finals after a 3–2 loss to Germany.
2008: Opening of Second CR7 Boutique in Lisbon
In 2008, Cristiano Ronaldo opened a second fashion boutique under the CR7 brand in Lisbon.
2008: First Ballon d'Or in 2008
In 2008, Cristiano Ronaldo won his first Ballon d'Or in 2008 by a record-high vote count at age 23.
2009: Joined Real Madrid
In 2009, Ronaldo joined Real Madrid for a record €94 million (£80 million).
2010: Trophyless Season
Cristiano Ronaldo finished the 2021-2022 season trophyless, for the first time since 2010.
2010: Given No. 7 and Copa del Rey win
In 2010, Cristiano Ronaldo was given the No. 7 jersey and scored 53 goals, leading Real Madrid to win the Copa del Rey. He scored the winning goal against Barcelona in El Clásico and won the Pichichi Trophy and European Golden Shoe.
September 2011: Release of 'Ronaldo: Tested to the Limit'
In September 2011, Castrol produced the television film Ronaldo: Tested to the Limit, which featured physical and mental tests on Ronaldo, leading to scrutiny of his physical performance by world media.
December 2011: Launch of iPhone Game 'Heads Up with Cristiano'
In December 2011, Cristiano Ronaldo launched an iPhone game called 'Heads Up with Cristiano', created by developer RockLive.
2011: Runner-up in FIFA Ballon d'Or
In 2011, Cristiano Ronaldo finished as runner-up to Lionel Messi in the FIFA Ballon d'Or after scoring 60 goals across all competitions and leading Real Madrid to their first league title in four years.
2011: Record-Breaking Season
In the 2011-12 season, Ronaldo's Real Madrid reached 100 points.
March 2012: 100th league goal for Madrid
On March 2012, Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 100th league goal for Real Madrid in a 5–1 win over Real Sociedad, breaking Ferenc Puskás's previous club record.
2012: Captained Real Madrid for the first time
In 2012, Cristiano Ronaldo captained Real Madrid for the first time in an official match, scoring twice in a 4–3 win over Sociedad on January 6. Later, on January 30, he became the first non-Spanish player in 60 years to captain Madrid in El Clásico, marking his 500th club appearance.
2012: First La Liga title since 2012
In 2016-17 season, Cristiano Ronaldo helped Madrid to win their first La Liga title since 2012.
November 2013: Release of CR7 Underwear and Sock Line
In November 2013, Cristiano Ronaldo, in partnership with JBS Textile Group and Richard Chai, released a range of underwear and socks under his CR7 brand.
December 2013: Launch of Social Networking Website and App 'Viva Ronaldo'
In December 2013, Cristiano Ronaldo launched Viva Ronaldo, a dedicated social networking website and app.
2013: Adapting style with reduced off-the-ball movement
From 2013 onwards, under manager Carlo Ancelotti, Cristiano Ronaldo effectively adapted his style to the physical effects of ageing with increasingly reduced off-the-ball movement and general involvement, completing fewer dribbles and passes per game, and instead focusing on short-distance creating and goalscoring.
2013: Highest recorded jump in football history
In 2013, Cristiano Ronaldo achieved the highest recorded jump in football history, measuring 2.93 metres (9 ft 7 in), during a match against Manchester United while playing for Real Madrid in the round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League.
2013: Joined by Gareth Bale and FIFA Ballon d'Or win
In 2013, Cristiano Ronaldo was joined by Gareth Bale at Real Madrid, forming the 'BBC' attacking trio. He scored 69 goals and won the 2013 FIFA Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year award.
June 2014: Release of 'Cristiano Ronaldo: The World at His Feet'
In June 2014, the documentary 'Cristiano Ronaldo: The World at His Feet,' narrated by Benedict Cumberbatch, was released via Vimeo.
July 2014: Expansion of CR7 Fashion Brand
In July 2014, Cristiano Ronaldo expanded his CR7 fashion brand by launching a line of premium shirts and shoes.
2014: 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualification and Tournament
During qualification for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Cristiano Ronaldo scored eight goals, but Portugal did not qualify directly. In the play-off against Sweden, Ronaldo scored all four goals to secure qualification. At the tournament in Brazil, Ronaldo assisted a last-minute equaliser against the United States and scored an 80th-minute winner in a 2–1 win over Ghana.
2014: Won the 2014 FIFA Club World Cup
In 2014, Cristiano Ronaldo won the FIFA Club World Cup and received the 2014 Ballon d'Or, becoming a three-time recipient. He scored a personal best of 61 goals during the 2014–15 season and finished as top scorer in the Champions League.
2014: Champions League Win
In 2014, Ronaldo helped Real Madrid win one of their four Champions League titles between 2014 and 2018.
September 2015: Release of 'Legacy' Fragrance
In September 2015, Cristiano Ronaldo released his own fragrance, "Legacy", in partnership with Eden Parfums.
September 2015: Real Madrid's all-time top scorer
On September 12, 2015, Cristiano Ronaldo became Real Madrid's all-time top scorer with 230 goals in 203 matches, surpassing Raúl's record. He also became the all-time top scorer in the Champions League.
November 2015: Release of 'Ronaldo' Documentary
On 9 November 2015, the documentary film 'Ronaldo,' directed by Anthony Wonke about Cristiano Ronaldo's life and career, was released.
2016: UEFA Euro 2016 Victory
In 2016, Cristiano Ronaldo led Portugal to their first-ever trophy at the UEFA Euro 2016, although he was subbed off in the 25th minute in the final against hosts France. He received the Silver Boot as the second-highest goalscorer, which gave him his fourth Ballon d'Or later that year. With the win, Portugal qualified and made its only appearance in the FIFA Confederations Cup held in Russia, where they finished in third place, with Ronaldo being named man of the match in all three of Portugal's group stage matches.
2016: Goalscoring record as in 2016
In 2023, Cristiano Ronaldo reached the same goalscoring record as in 2016, scoring 54 goals in all competitions for Al-Nassr and Portugal.
2016: Reached 100 goals in UEFA club competition
In April 2016, Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player to reach 100 goals in UEFA club competition and also became the all-time top scorer in the top five European leagues, surpassing Jimmy Greaves.
2017: The Best FIFA Men's Player award
In 2017, Cristiano Ronaldo was awarded The Best FIFA Men's Player award for the second consecutive year and won the 2017 Ballon d'Or for the fifth time.
2017: More of a free-roaming centre forward
Since 2017, Cristiano Ronaldo adapted his style of play yet again to become more of a free-roaming centre forward under manager Zinedine Zidane, a role in which he continued to excel and maintain a prolific goalscoring record; in this position, he earned praise in the media for his intelligent movement both on and off the ball, positional sense, link-up play and finishing, as well as his ability to lose or anticipate his markers, find space in the box and score from few touches or opportunities.
April 2018: Acrobatic bicycle kick against Juventus
In April 2018, Cristiano Ronaldo scored a memorable acrobatic bicycle kick against Juventus in the Champions League quarter-finals, earning a standing ovation from the opposing fans.
2018: Joined Juventus in 2018
Cristiano Ronaldo joined Juventus aged 33 in 2018.
2018: Signed for Juventus
In 2018, Ronaldo signed for Juventus in a transfer worth an initial €100 million.
2018: 2018 World Cup achievements
In the 2018 World Cup, Cristiano Ronaldo became the oldest player to score a hat-trick in a World Cup match, in a 3–3 draw against Spain. In the following match, Ronaldo scored the only goal in a 1–0 win against Morocco, breaking Puskás' record as the highest European goalscorer of all time, with 85 international goals. For his performances in the tournament, Ronaldo was named in the World Cup Dream Team.
2018: Prolific World Cup Campaign
In the 2018 World Cup, Ronaldo had his most prolific campaign with four goals.
2018: Supercoppa Italiana win
On January 16, 2019, Cristiano Ronaldo won his first trophy with Juventus, the 2018 Supercoppa Italiana, after scoring the only goal against AC Milan.
January 2019: Scored for the trophy
In January 2019, Cristiano Ronaldo won his first trophy with the club the 2018 Supercoppa Italiana, after he scored the only goal from a header against AC Milan.
January 2020: First Serie A hat-trick
On January 6, 2020, Cristiano Ronaldo scored his first Serie A hat-trick in a 4–0 win against Cagliari, becoming only the second player to score hat-tricks in the Premier League, La Liga, and Serie A.
2020: Euro 2020
Cristiano Ronaldo received the Golden Boot as top scorer of Euro 2020 and also became the first player to score at five European Championships.
March 2021: Scored in 600th league match
On March 2, 2021, Cristiano Ronaldo scored in a 3–0 win over Spezia in his 600th league match, becoming the first player to score at least 20 goals in 12 consecutive seasons in the top five leagues of Europe.
August 2021: Re-signed with Manchester United
On August 27, 2021, Manchester United announced they had reached an agreement with Juventus to re-sign Cristiano Ronaldo, subject to agreement of personal terms, visa, and medical. He was given the number 7 shirt.
2021: Returned to Manchester United
In 2021, Ronaldo returned to Manchester United.
February 2022: First goal of the year
On February 15, 2022, Cristiano Ronaldo scored in United's 2–0 win at home versus Brighton & Hove Albion, his first in the new year.
December 2022: Joined Al-Nassr
On December 30, 2022, Cristiano Ronaldo agreed to join Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr, signing a contract until 2025 and receiving the highest football salary ever at €200 million per year.
January 2023: Debut for Al-Nassr
On January 22, 2023, Cristiano Ronaldo made his debut for Al-Nassr as club captain in a 1–0 win over Al-Ettifaq. He scored his first goal in a 2–2 draw against Al-Fateh by converting a last-minute penalty.
March 2023: Most Capped Male Footballer of All Time
On 23 March 2023, Cristiano Ronaldo scored a brace against Liechtenstein as he earned his 197th overall cap to become the most capped male footballer of all time.
October 2023: Ronaldo Invests in Medialivre
On 26 October 2023, Cristiano Ronaldo, through his company Expressão Livre, became part of a group of investors in Medialivre, the publisher of Correio da Manhã, Record, and Jornal de Negócios.
2023: Top scorer in 2023
In 2023, Cristiano Ronaldo scored 54 goals in all competitions for Al-Nassr and Portugal, making him the outright top scorer of the year and matching his 2016 record.
May 2024: Breaks Saudi Pro League Record
On 27 May 2024, in a home fixture against Al-Ittihad, Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 34th and 35th league goals of the campaign, surpassing Abderrazak Hamdallah's record for the most goals scored in a single Saudi Pro League season. He also became the first footballer to finish as top scorer in four different leagues: the English, Spanish, Italian and Saudi leagues.
2024: League's Top Scorer for second time
Cristiano Ronaldo finished the 2024–25 season with 25 league goals, becoming the league's top scorer for a second consecutive time.
2024: First Player to Feature in Six European Championships
During Portugal's UEFA Euro 2024 opener against the Czech Republic, Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player to feature in six European Championships, having previously been the first player to appear in five.
December 2025: Participation in 'Fast X: Part 2' Confirmed
In December 2025, it was confirmed that Cristiano Ronaldo will participate in the film Fast X: Part 2, part of the Fast & Furious franchise.
2025: UEFA Nations League Title
In 2025, Ronaldo won a UEFA Nations League.
2025: Contract with Al-Nassr
In December 30, 2022, Cristiano Ronaldo agreed to join Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr, signing a contract until 2025.
February 2026: Acquisition of Ownership Stake in UD Almería
On 26 February 2026, Cristiano Ronaldo acquired a 25% ownership stake in Spanish club UD Almería through CR7 Sports Investments.
2026: Reaching record goals in World Cup Qualifying
On 14 October 2026, Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice in a 2–2 draw against Hungary in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, reaching a record 41 goals in World Cup qualifying.
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