History of Cristiano Ronaldo in Timeline
Cristiano Ronaldo, often called CR7, is a Portuguese professional footballer renowned as one of the greatest of all time. He currently plays for Al-Nassr and captains the Portugal national team. He boasts numerous individual awards, including five Ballon d'Or titles, record-setting UEFA Men's Player of the Year awards, and four European Golden Shoes. His trophy cabinet includes seven league titles, five UEFA Champions Leagues, and a UEFA European Championship. Ronaldo holds Champions League records for goals (140) and assists (42) and European Championship records for goals (14) and assists (8), and international records for appearances (221) and goals (138). Having made over 1,200 career appearances, he's the outfield player with the most appearances, and his over 900 official senior career goals make him the all-time top goalscorer.
1948: Oldest player to score over 30 goals since 1948
On 20 July 2020, Ronaldo became the oldest player, at the age of 35 years and 166 days, to score over 30 goals in one of the five top European leagues since Ronnie Rooke with Arsenal in 1948.
1968: First Ballon d'Or winner since Best in 1968
In 2008, Cristiano Ronaldo won the Ballon d'Or, becoming Manchester United's first Ballon d'Or winner since Best in 1968.
February 1985: Cristiano Ronaldo's Birth
In February 1985, Cristiano Ronaldo was born in the São Pedro parish of Funchal, Madeira, Portugal, to Maria Dolores dos Santos Viveiros Aveiro and José Dinis Aveiro.
1992: Playing for Andorinha
From 1992 to 1995, Cristiano Ronaldo played for Andorinha, where his father was the kit man.
1995: Playing for Andorinha
From 1992 to 1995, Cristiano Ronaldo played for Andorinha, where his father was the kit man.
1997: Trial with Sporting CP
In 1997, at age 12, Cristiano Ronaldo went on a three-day trial with Sporting CP, who signed him for £1,500.
2000: Dropped From Starting Line-Up in Knockout Game
During 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, at age 17, Cristiano Ronaldo played his first official match for Sporting CP's first team in a UEFA Champions League qualifying round against Inter Milan at José Alvalade Stadium.
August 2003: Signing with Manchester United
On 12 August 2003, Manchester United signed Cristiano Ronaldo for £12 million, an England record for a teenager, making him the first Portuguese player to sign for the club.
August 2003: Debut for Portugal
On August 20, 2003, at the age of 18, Cristiano Ronaldo made his debut for Portugal as a substitute against Kazakhstan.
2003: Signing with Manchester United
In 2003, Cristiano Ronaldo signed with Manchester United after beginning his senior career with Sporting CP, and won the FA Cup in his first season.
2003: International Debut for Portugal
In 2003, at the age of 18, Cristiano Ronaldo made his international debut for Portugal.
May 2004: FA Cup Final Win
On 15 May 2004, Cristiano Ronaldo scored the opening goal in a victory against Aston Villa and later received the first red card of his career. He ended his first season in English football with a trophy, scoring the opening goal in United's 3–0 win over Millwall in the 2004 FA Cup Final.
2004: Matches Against Aston Villa and Arsenal
At the start of 2005, Cristiano 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: Assistance to Tsunami Survivor
In 2004, after the Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, Ronaldo visited Aceh, Indonesia, to raise funds for rehabilitation and reconstruction after seeing a survivor wearing a Portuguese football shirt.
September 2005: Death of father
In September 2005, Ronaldo's father, José, died at the age of 52 due to an alcoholism-related liver condition, marking a significant personal loss for Ronaldo.
2005: Matches Against Aston Villa and Arsenal
At the start of 2005, Cristiano 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.
2005: Rape Allegation Investigation
In 2005, Ronaldo and another man were investigated by the British Crown Prosecution Service after a rape allegation was brought forward by two women, though the women withdrew their allegations and there was not enough evidence for prosecution.
2006: World Cup Incident and Transfer Request
During his third season in England, and following the 2006 FIFA World Cup, Cristiano Ronaldo was involved in an incident where club teammate Wayne Rooney was sent off. Ronaldo publicly asked for a transfer, lamenting the lack of support he felt he had received from the club over the incident. United denied the possibility of him leaving the club.
2006: CR7 fashion boutique opened in Madeira
In 2006, Ronaldo opened a fashion boutique under the name CR7 on the island of Madeira, marking his initial foray into the fashion industry.
2006: Awards Nomination
In the 2006-07 season, Cristiano Ronaldo won the Professional Footballers' Association's Player's Player, Fans' Player, Young Player of the Year awards, and the Football Writers' Association's Footballer of the Year award, becoming the first player to win all four main PFA and FWA honors.
2007: C.D. Nacional Renames Youth Campus
In 2007, C.D. Nacional renamed its youth campus Cristiano Ronaldo Campus Futebol (Cristiano Ronaldo Football Campus).
2007: Awards Nominations
In 2007, Cristiano Ronaldo was named runner-up to Kaká for the 2007 Ballon d'Or, and came third, behind Kaká and Lionel Messi, in the running for the 2007 FIFA World Player of the Year award.
2007: Moments Autobiography Published
In 2007, Ronaldo's autobiography, titled Moments, was published, providing insights into his life and career.
2007: First Ballon d'Or
In 2007–08 season, Cristiano Ronaldo earned his first Ballon d'Or, at the age of 23 while playing for Manchester United.
January 2008: First hat-trick for Manchester United
In January 2008, Cristiano Ronaldo scored his first hat-trick for Manchester United in a 6–0 win against Newcastle United.
July 2008: Libel Damages Over Drinking Article
In July 2008, Ronaldo received libel damages over a Daily Mirror article that falsely reported him drinking heavily in a nightclub, highlighting his commitment to maintaining his image.
2008: Donation to Charity in Madeira
In 2008, Ronaldo donated undisclosed damages from a libel case against The Sun newspaper to a charity in Madeira.
2008: CR7 fashion boutique opened in Lisbon
In 2008, Ronaldo opened a second CR7 fashion boutique in Lisbon, expanding his fashion business in Portugal.
2008: Best-Selling Premier League Sports Product
In 2008, Ronaldo's number 7 Manchester United shirt was the best-selling Premier League sports product.
2008: Face of Pro Evolution Soccer 2008
Ronaldo appeared on the cover of Pro Evolution Soccer 2008.
2008: Winning first Ballon d'Or
Winning his first Ballon d'Or in 2008 by a record-high vote count at age 23
2009: Alleged Rape Incident
In 2009, An alleged rape incident involving Ronaldo occurred. It was reported in April 2017 that Ronaldo was being investigated by the Las Vegas Police Department for an allegation by a woman that he had raped her, adding to the serious challenges in his personal life.
2009: Transfer to Real Madrid
In 2009, Cristiano Ronaldo signed for Real Madrid in a transfer worth €94 million (£80 million), then the most expensive association football transfer.
2009: Donation to Hospital in Madeira
In 2009, Ronaldo donated £100,000 to the hospital in Madeira that saved his mother's life, to help them build a cancer centre.
June 2010: Waxwork at Madame Tussauds London
In June 2010, Ronaldo was represented as a waxwork at Madame Tussauds London, making him the fourth footballer to receive this honor.
June 2010: Birth of Cristiano Ronaldo Jr.
On June 17, 2010, Ronaldo became a father to a son, Cristiano Ronaldo Jr., born in the United States. Ronaldo has full custody of the child and has not revealed the mother's identity.
2010: 2010 World Cup
During the 2010 World Cup, Cristiano Ronaldo scored only one goal but was named man of the match in all three group stage matches.
2010: Ronaldo's Earnings from 2010 to 2019
From 2010 to 2019, Ronaldo earned €720 million (£615 million) and was ranked second in Forbes list of the decade's highest-paid athletes, behind Floyd Mayweather Jr.
2010: Wins Copa del Rey with Real Madrid
In 2010, Cristiano Ronaldo scored 53 goals and helped Real Madrid win the Copa del Rey, which was his first trophy with the club.
2010: Non-disclosure Settlement
In 2010, Ronaldo paid a woman US$375,000 in a non-disclosure settlement, related to a rape allegation that was reported in April 2017.
2010: Pledge to Charity Match for Madeira Flood Victims
In 2010, Ronaldo pledged to play in a charity match in Madeira to support the victims of the 2010 Madeira flood.
2010: First time trophyless since 2010
In 2022, Cristiano Ronaldo went trophyless for the first time since 2010.
September 2011: Ronaldo: Tested to the Limit Film Release
In September 2011, Castrol produced the television film Ronaldo: Tested to the Limit, showcasing Ronaldo's physical and mental abilities. His performance was scrutinized by the media.
December 2011: Heads Up with Cristiano iPhone Game Launch
In December 2011, Ronaldo launched an iPhone game called Heads Up with Cristiano, created by RockLive, marking his entry into the mobile gaming market.
2011: Runner-up in FIFA Ballon d'Or
In 2011, Cristiano Ronaldo finished runner-up to Lionel Messi in the FIFA Ballon d'Or.
2011: Tax Evasion Investigation Begins
In 2011, Ronaldo began fraudulently evading almost €15 million in tax between 2011 and 2014, leading to significant legal challenges, the charge was issued on July 2017.
2011: Record-Breaking La Liga Title Win
In 2011-12, Cristiano Ronaldo was integral to Real Madrid winning a record-breaking La Liga title.
March 2012: 100th league goal for Real Madrid
On 24 March 2012, Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 100th league goal for Real Madrid in a 5–1 win over Real Sociedad.
November 2012: Personalised Nike Mercurial Vapor CR7 Edition
Since November 2012, Ronaldo has worn the Nike Mercurial Vapor personalised CR7 edition football boots, as part of his many sponsorship deals for consumer products.
December 2012: Joining FIFA's "11 for Health" Programme
In December 2012, Ronaldo joined FIFA's "11 for Health" programme to raise awareness among kids about avoiding drug addiction, HIV, malaria, and obesity.
2012: Euro Team of the Tournament
At Euro 2012, Cristiano Ronaldo was named to the team of the tournament.
2012: Champions League Top Scorer
Between 2012 and 2018, Cristiano Ronaldo finished as the Champions League's top scorer for six consecutive seasons while at Real Madrid.
2012: Second in FIFA Ballon d'Or
In 2012, Cristiano Ronaldo was voted second in the running for the FIFA Ballon d'Or.
2012: Ronaldo Comments on Rivalry with Messi
In 2012, Ronaldo commented on his rivalry with Messi, stating that they push each other in the competition, which is why the competition is so high.
2012: Most Dangerous Footballer to Search Online
In 2012, a McAfee report ranked Ronaldo as the footballer most likely to lead internet users to unsafe websites when searching for his name.
2012: First La Liga title since 2012
In 2016-2017 Season, Cristiano Ronaldo helped Madrid to win their first La Liga title since 2012
January 2013: Global Artist Ambassador for Save the Children
In January 2013, Ronaldo became Save the Children's new Global Artist Ambassador, with the aim of helping fight child hunger and obesity.
March 2013: Ambassador for The Mangrove Care Forum
In March 2013, Ronaldo agreed to be the ambassador for The Mangrove Care Forum in Indonesia, an organisation focused on raising awareness of mangrove conservation.
November 2013: CR7 Underwear and Sock Line Release
In November 2013, Ronaldo co-designed a range of underwear and sock line in partnership with JBS Textile Group and Richard Chai, marking his expansion into fashion.
December 2013: Viva Ronaldo Social Networking Website and App Launch
In December 2013, Ronaldo launched Viva Ronaldo, a dedicated social networking website and app, to engage with his fans.
December 2013: Opening of Museu CR7
In December 2013, Ronaldo opened a museum, Museu CR7, in his hometown of Funchal, Madeira, to house trophies and memorabilia.
December 2013: Waxwork at the Madrid Wax Museum
In December 2013, another waxwork of Ronaldo was presented at the Madrid Wax Museum, adding to his iconic representations.
2013: Adapting his play
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 2013, Cristiano Ronaldo achieved the highest recorded jump in football history, measuring 2.93 metres, during a match against Manchester United.
2013: Wins FIFA Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year
In 2013, Cristiano Ronaldo scored 69 goals and won the FIFA Ballon d'Or and the FIFA World Player of the Year award.
2013: Ballon d'Or Award
In 2013, Cristiano Ronaldo won back-to-back Ballon d'Or awards.
2013: Forbes Ranking as Highest-Paid Football Player
In 2013, Forbes ranked Ronaldo first on its list of the world's highest-paid football players, with a combined income of $73 million from salaries, bonuses, and endorsements in 2013–14.
2013: Eighth Most Marketable Athlete
In 2013, SportsPro rated Ronaldo the eighth most marketable athlete.
2013: First "Siuuu" Celebration during International Champions Cup Final
On August 7, 2013, during the International Champions Cup Final between Real Madrid and Chelsea, Ronaldo first performed the "Siuuu" celebration after scoring a goal that gave Real Madrid a 2–1 lead. Real Madrid beat Chelsea 3–1 to claim the International Champions Cup.
2013: The Iconic "Siu" Celebration
Since 2013, Ronaldo's trademark "Siu" goal celebration, involving a storming jump, turn, and spread-eagled landing with the exclamation "Sí", has become widely imitated and iconic in football.
May 2014: Most Marketable Football Player
In May 2014, Repucom named Ronaldo the most marketable and most recognised football player in the world.
June 2014: Cristiano Ronaldo: The World at His Feet Documentary Release
In June 2014, Cristiano Ronaldo: The World at His Feet, a documentary narrated by Benedict Cumberbatch, was released via Vimeo, highlighting his life and career.
July 2014: CR7 Premium Shirts and Shoes Launch
In July 2014, Ronaldo expanded his CR7 fashion brand by launching a line of premium shirts and shoes, further establishing his presence in the fashion industry.
December 2014: Bronze statue unveiled in Funchal
In December 2014, a bronze statue of Ronaldo, designed by Ricardo Madeira Veloso, was unveiled in Funchal, further cementing his legacy in his hometown.
2014: Tax Evasion Investigation Continues
Between 2011 and 2014, Ronaldo continued to fraudulently evading almost €15 million in tax, leading to significant legal challenges, the charge was issued on July 2017.
2014: Champions League Win
From 2014 to 2018, Cristiano Ronaldo helped Real Madrid win four Champions League titles, including La Décima.
2014: Forbes Ranking as Highest-Paid Football Player
In 2013-2014, Ronaldo's combined income from salaries, bonuses and endorsements was $73 million and in 2014-2015 it was $79 million, earning him the title of the world's highest-paid football player twice.
2014: Wins Ballon d'Or for the third time
In 2014, Cristiano Ronaldo received the Ballon d'Or, joining Johan Cruyff, Michel Platini, and Marco van Basten as a three-time recipient, after winning the FIFA Club World Cup.
2014: Named in Time 100
In 2014, Ronaldo was named in the Time 100, Time's annual list of the most influential people in the world.
2014: Included in Time's 100 Most Influential People
In 2014, Time included Cristiano Ronaldo on their list of the 100 most influential people in the world.
January 2015: End of relationship with Irina Shayk
In January 2015, Ronaldo's five-year relationship with Russian model Irina Shayk ended, marking a change in his personal life.
June 2015: Galaxy Named After Ronaldo
In June 2015, astronomers discovered a galaxy which they named Cosmos Redshift 7 (CR7) in tribute to Ronaldo.
September 2015: Legacy Fragrance Release
In September 2015, Ronaldo released his own fragrance, "Legacy", in partnership with Eden Parfums, adding to his diverse brand portfolio.
September 2015: Real Madrid's all-time top scorer
On 12 September 2015, Cristiano Ronaldo became Real Madrid's all-time top scorer with 230 goals in 203 matches.
November 2015: Ronaldo Documentary Film Release
On November 9, 2015, a documentary film directed by Anthony Wonke about Ronaldo's life and career, titled Ronaldo, was released.
2015: Forbes Ranking as Highest-Paid Football Player
In 2014-2015, Ronaldo's combined income from salaries, bonuses and endorsements was $79 million, earning him the title of the world's highest-paid football player.
2015: UEFA Ultimate Team of the Year
In 2015, Cristiano Ronaldo was named in the UEFA Ultimate Team of the Year.
2015: Best Portuguese Player of All Time
In 2015, Cristiano Ronaldo was named the best Portuguese player of all time by the Portuguese Football Federation.
2015: World's Most Charitable Sportsperson
In 2015, Ronaldo was named the world's most charitable sportsperson after donating £5 million to the relief effort after the earthquake in Nepal which killed over 8,000 people.
2015: Second Best-Selling Football Shirt Worldwide
In 2015, Ronaldo's number 7 Real Madrid shirt was the second best-selling worldwide, after Messi's number 10 Barcelona shirt.
June 2016: Sponsors Earn Substantial Media Value
Between June 2016 and June 2017, Ronaldo's sponsors earned $936 million in media value across his social media accounts.
June 2016: Donation of Champions League Bonus
In June 2016, Ronaldo donated his entire €600,000 Champions League bonus after Real Madrid won the competition.
July 2016: Madeira Airport Renamed Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport
In July 2016, following Portugal's Euro 2016 victory, Madeira Airport in Funchal was renamed Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport. This decision faced local opposition, leading to debates and a petition against the name change.
2016: Goalscoring record
Cristiano Ronaldo reached the same goalscoring record as in 2016 after scoring 54 goals in all competitions for Al-Nassr and Portugal.
2016: Highest-Paid Athlete by Forbes
In 2016, Cristiano Ronaldo was ranked the world's highest-paid athlete by Forbes.
2016: Ballon d'Or Award
In 2016, Cristiano Ronaldo won back-to-back Ballon d'Or awards.
2016: Wins Ballon d'Or and FIFA Men's Player Award
In 2016, Cristiano Ronaldo won the Ballon d'Or, his fourth, and the inaugural The Best FIFA Men's Player.
2016: ESPN Names Ronaldo World's Most Famous Athlete
In 2016, ESPN named Ronaldo the world's most famous athlete.
2016: First Footballer to Top Forbes List
In 2016, Ronaldo became the first footballer to top the Forbes list of highest-earning athletes, with a total income of $88 million from his salary and endorsements in 2015–16.
2016: 100 goals in UEFA club competition
In April 2016, Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player to reach 100 goals in UEFA club competition.
March 2017: Unveiling of Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport and bust
On March 29, 2017, the rebranded Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport was unveiled, including a bust of Ronaldo's head. The bust's likeness was widely ridiculed.
April 2017: Las Vegas Police Investigate Rape Allegation
In April 2017, it was reported that Ronaldo was being investigated by the Las Vegas Police Department for an allegation by a woman that he had raped her in 2009, adding to the serious challenges in his personal life.
June 2017: Sponsors Earn Substantial Media Value
Between June 2016 and June 2017, Ronaldo's sponsors earned $936 million in media value across his social media accounts.
June 2017: Birth of Twins
In June 8, 2017, Ronaldo became a father to twins, born in the United States via surrogacy, expanding his family.
July 2017: Tax Evasion Charges
In July 2017, Ronaldo was charged with fraudulently evading almost €15 million in tax between 2011 and 2014, leading to significant legal challenges.
November 2017: Birth of daughter with Georgina Rodríguez
On November 12, 2017, Ronaldo's partner, Georgina Rodríguez, gave birth to a daughter, further expanding his family.
2017: Wins The Best FIFA Men's Player and Ballon d'Or
In 2017, Cristiano Ronaldo was awarded The Best FIFA Men's Player award for the second consecutive year and won the Ballon d'Or for the fifth time.
2017: Highest-Paid Athlete by Forbes
In 2017, Cristiano Ronaldo was ranked the world's highest-paid athlete by Forbes.
2017: Ballon d'Or Award
In 2017, Cristiano Ronaldo won back-to-back Ballon d'Or awards.
2017: ESPN Names Ronaldo World's Most Famous Athlete
In 2017, ESPN named Ronaldo the world's most famous athlete.
2017: Adapting his play again
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
April 2018: Acrobatic bicycle kick goal against Juventus
On 3 April 2018, Cristiano Ronaldo scored an acrobatic bicycle kick goal against Juventus in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League.
June 2018: Suspended Jail Sentence and Fine
In June 2018, Ronaldo received a two-year suspended jail sentence and was fined €18.8 million, later reduced to €16.8 million, after reaching a deal with Spanish authorities regarding tax evasion charges.
June 2018: New Bust Presented
On June 15, 2018, a new bust of Ronaldo was shown to the public. The previous bust's likeness was widely ridiculed so Bleacher Report commissioned sculptor Emanuel Santos to create another bust, this bust was never used and a new one was made by a Spanish sculptor.
September 2018: Civil Lawsuit Filed in Nevada
In September 2018, the same woman filed a civil lawsuit in Nevada accusing Ronaldo of rape, seeking significant damages and reopening the legal challenges surrounding the allegation.
2018: Prolific World Cup Campaign
In 2018, Cristiano Ronaldo had his most prolific World Cup campaign and was voted in the Fan Dream Team.
2018: Joins Juventus
In 2018, Cristiano Ronaldo joined Juventus for €100 million.
2018: ESPN Names Ronaldo World's Most Famous Athlete
In 2018, ESPN named Ronaldo the world's most famous athlete.
2018: Wins first trophy with Juventus
In January 2019, Cristiano Ronaldo won his first trophy with Juventus, the 2018 Supercoppa Italiana.
2018: Steve Nash compared Ronaldo to Michael Jordan
In a 2018 article for Bleacher Report, former NBA star Steve Nash compared Ronaldo to Michael Jordan: 'On the pitch, [Ronaldo's] learned how to make his play—less explosive in individual movements—more successful for the team, and in that, I see the greatness of Jordan.' In the same article, Ronaldo was ranked first in the ranking of the 50 most influential people in sports culture for 2018.
2018: 2018 World Cup
In the 2018 World Cup, Cristiano Ronaldo became the oldest player to score a hat-trick in a World Cup match and broke the record for the highest European goalscorer of all time. He was named in the World Cup Dream Team.
January 2019: Wins first trophy with Juventus
Cristiano Ronaldo won his first trophy with Juventus on 16 January 2019, the 2018 Supercoppa Italiana, after he scored the only goal from a header against AC Milan.
July 2019: Las Vegas Prosecutors Decline to Charge Ronaldo
In July 2019, Las Vegas prosecutors announced they would not charge Ronaldo over allegations of rape, stating that the allegations could not be proven beyond a reasonable doubt, bringing a resolution to part of the legal challenge.
August 2019: Ronaldo and Messi Discuss Rivalry
In August 2019, Ronaldo and Messi were interviewed together before the announcement of the UEFA Men's Player of the Year. Ronaldo stated that they pushed each other, and it's good to be part of the history of football.
2019: Ronaldo's Earnings from 2010 to 2019
From 2010 to 2019, Ronaldo earned €720 million (£615 million) and was ranked second in Forbes list of the decade's highest-paid athletes, behind Floyd Mayweather Jr.
2019: Most Famous Athlete by ESPN
From 2016 to 2019, Cristiano Ronaldo was ranked the world's most famous athlete by ESPN.
2019: ESPN Names Ronaldo World's Most Famous Athlete
In 2019, ESPN named Ronaldo the world's most famous athlete.
January 2020: First Serie A hat-trick
On 6 January 2020, Cristiano Ronaldo scored his first Serie A hat-trick in a 4–0 home win against Cagliari.
September 2020: Sporting CP's academy renamed Academia Cristiano Ronaldo
In September 2020, Sporting CP's football academy in Alcochete was renamed Academia Cristiano Ronaldo, marking another recognition of his impact on the sport.
2020: Golden Boot at Euro
At Euro 2020, Cristiano Ronaldo received the Golden Boot as the top scorer.
2020: Euro 2020 Golden Boot
In 2020, Cristiano Ronaldo received the Golden Boot as the top scorer of Euro 2020 and became the first player to score at five European Championships.
2020: Ballon d'Or Dream Team
In 2020, Cristiano Ronaldo was named in the Ballon d'Or Dream Team.
March 2021: Scored in 600th league match
On 2 March 2021, Cristiano Ronaldo scored a goal in a 3–0 win over Spezia in his 600th league match.
August 2021: Re-signs with Manchester United
On 27 August 2021, Manchester United announced they had reached an agreement with Juventus to re-sign Cristiano Ronaldo.
October 2021: Lawsuit Dismissal Recommended
In October 2021, federal magistrate judge Daniel Albregts recommended that the rape lawsuit be dismissed, citing bad faith by the woman's lawyer in using Football Leaks documents, marking a significant development in the case.
2021: FIFA Award for Outstanding Career Achievement
In 2021, Cristiano Ronaldo received a special award for Outstanding Career Achievement by FIFA.
2021: Return to Manchester United
In 2021, Cristiano Ronaldo returned to Manchester United and was included in the PFA Team of the Year at 37 years old.
2021: Mother's Interview on Sporting TV
In 2021, Cristiano Ronaldo's mother, Dolores Aveiro, stated in an interview for Sporting CP's official television channel (Sporting TV) that her son would be a bricklayer if he had not become a professional football player.
February 2022: First goal in the new year
On 15 February 2022, Cristiano Ronaldo scored in United's 2–0 win at home versus Brighton & Hove Albion, his first in the new year.
June 2022: Rape Lawsuit Dismissed
In June 2022, the woman's rape lawsuit was dismissed with prejudice in the United States District Court for the District of Nevada, with the judge citing the lawyer's repeated use of cyber-hacked attorney-client privileged documents as abuses of the litigation process, effectively ending the legal battle.
December 2022: Agreement with Al-Nassr
In December 2022, Cristiano Ronaldo reached an agreement with Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr, signing a contract until 2025 and receiving the highest football salary ever.
2022: Contract Termination
In 2022, Cristiano Ronaldo's contract with Manchester United was terminated due to a fall out with the newly appointed manager.
2022: Pregnancy with Twins, Loss of Son
In 2022, Ronaldo and Georgina Rodríguez expected another set of twins. Tragically, the male twin died during childbirth, while the female twin survived, marking a period of great joy and sorrow for the couple.
2022: Scoring at Five World Cups
In the 2022 World Cup, Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player to score at five World Cups.
January 2023: Al-Nassr Debut and First Goal
On January 22, 2023, Cristiano Ronaldo debuted for Al-Nassr as club captain and played a full match. Later in January, he scored his first goal for the club in a draw against Al-Fateh.
March 2023: Most Capped Male Footballer
On March 23, 2023, Cristiano Ronaldo scored a brace against Liechtenstein, earning his 197th cap to become the most capped male footballer of all time.
September 2023: Ronaldo Declares Rivalry with Messi is Over
In September 2023, after 36 official fixtures and 15 years of "sharing the stage", Ronaldo declared that his rivalry with Messi was over and "gone".
October 2023: Investment in Medialivre
Since October 26, 2023, Cristiano Ronaldo, through the Portuguese company Expressão Livre, is part of the new owners of Medialivre, which includes Correio da Manhã, Record and Jornal de Negócios publisher.
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.
2023: Signing for Al-Nassr
In 2023, Cristiano Ronaldo signed for Al-Nassr, a move widely credited for revolutionizing football in Saudi Arabia.
2023: Highest-Paid Athlete by Forbes
In 2023, Cristiano Ronaldo was ranked the world's highest-paid athlete by Forbes.
2023: Meaning of "Siuuu" Revealed
In 2023, almost a decade after he first performed the 'Siu' celebration, Ronaldo confirmed in an interview that the phrase "Siuuu" simply means yes, but "meaning it very strongly".
2023: Medal of Honor of the City awarded by Lisbon City Council
In 2023, the Lisbon City Council approved awarding Ronaldo the Medal of Honor of the City, recognizing him as "a great Lisboner" for his passion for the city.
May 2024: Breaks Saudi Pro League Scoring Record
On May 27, 2024, Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 34th and 35th league goals in a home fixture, surpassing the record for most goals scored in a single Saudi Pro League season and becoming the first footballer to finish as top scorer in four different leagues.
August 2024: Fastest YouTube Channel to Reach 1 Million Subscribers
On 21 August 2024, after announcing the creation of his YouTube channel, UR Cristiano, it became the fastest to reach the 1 million subscribers milestone in 90 minutes. The channel also became the fastest to reach 5, 10, 20, 30 and 50 million subscribers and became the most subscribed channel in Portugal, surpassing the Portuguese Nick Jr.
2024: First Player in Six European Championships
In 2024, Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player to feature in six European Championships and later scored his 900th career goal in a victory over Croatia.
2024: Highest-Paid Athlete by Forbes
In 2024, Cristiano Ronaldo was ranked the world's highest-paid athlete by Forbes.
2024: League Top Scorer Again
In the 2024–25 season, Cristiano Ronaldo finished as the league's top scorer for a second consecutive time, scoring 25 league goals.
2025: Appearance in Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves
Cristiano Ronaldo appears as a playable character in the 2025 fighting game Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves.
2025: Second Nations League Win
In 2025, Cristiano Ronaldo won the Nations League a second time.
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