Cristiano Ronaldo's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of Cristiano Ronaldo.

Cristiano Ronaldo, often nicknamed CR7, is a highly decorated Portuguese professional footballer currently playing for Al-Nassr and captaining the Portugal national team. Widely considered one of the greatest players of all time, Ronaldo's accomplishments include five Ballon d'Or awards, a record three UEFA Men's Player of the Year Awards, and four European Golden Shoes. He has won 33 trophies across his career, including league titles, five Champions Leagues, and the UEFA European Championship. Ronaldo holds records for most Champions League goals and assists, European Championship goals and assists, international appearances, and international goals. He is among the few players with over 1,200 professional appearances and has scored over 900 senior career goals, making him the all-time leading goalscorer.

Sections (7)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

1968: Best's Ballon d'Or Win

In 1968, George Best won the Ballon d'Or, preceding Cristiano Ronaldo becoming United's first Ballon d'Or winner since then.

2006: World Cup Controversy and Transfer Request

Following the 2006 FIFA World Cup, Ronaldo publicly asked for a transfer after an incident involving club teammate Wayne Rooney. Despite being booed, he broke the 20-goal barrier and won his first Premier League title during the 2006–07 season.

2006: Personal Awards and Ballon d'Or Runner-Up

In 2007, Ronaldo amassed personal awards for the 2006–07 season, including PFA Player's Player, Fans' Player, Young Player of the Year, and FWA Footballer of the Year; he was also runner-up for the 2007 Ballon d'Or.

2007: Personal Awards and Ballon d'Or Runner-Up

2007: First Ballon d'Or

In 2007, Ronaldo's 2007-08 season earned him his first Ballon d'Or, aged 23.

July 2008: Libel Damages Over Drinking Report

In July 2008, Ronaldo received libel damages over a Daily Mirror article that falsely reported him drinking heavily in a nightclub while recovering from an injury.

2008: First Ballon d'Or Win

In 2008, Cristiano Ronaldo won his first Ballon d'Or with a record-high vote count at age 23, marking a significant milestone in his career.

2010: Given No. 7 and Copa del Rey win

In 2010, Ronaldo was given No. 7 for the 2010–11 season and scored 53 goals, helping Madrid win the Copa del Rey. He also became the first player in La Liga to score 40 goals.

2011: Runner-up Finish in FIFA Ballon d'Or

In 2011, Ronaldo finished as runner-up to Lionel Messi in the 2011 FIFA Ballon d'Or.

2011: La Liga Title Win

In 2011-12, Real Madrid achieved a record-breaking La Liga title win with Ronaldo being integral.

2012: Named to Euro 2012 Team of the Tournament

At Euro 2012, Ronaldo was named to the team of the tournament.

2012: UEFA Euro 2012 performance

At UEFA Euro 2012, Cristiano Ronaldo was a joint top scorer with three goals, earning him a place in the team of the tournament.

2012: Champions League Top Scorer

Between 2012 and 2018, Ronaldo finished as the Champions League's top scorer for six consecutive seasons.

2012: Victory in La Liga

In the 2016–17 season Ronaldo helped Madrid to win their first La Liga title since 2012.

2013: FIFA Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year

In 2013, Ronaldo scored 69 goals and won the 2013 FIFA Ballon d'Or, and the FIFA World Player of the Year award, for the first time in his career.

2013: Wins Ballon d'Or Award

In 2013, Ronaldo won back-to-back Ballon d'Or awards in 2013 and 2014, and again in 2016 and 2017, and was runner-up three times behind Lionel Messi.

2013: Highest-Paid Footballer

In 2013–14, Cristiano Ronaldo's combined income from salaries, bonuses and endorsements was $73 million, ranking him first on Forbes list of the world's highest-paid football players.

January 2014: Rank of Grand Officer of the Order of Prince Henry

In January 2014, Cristiano Ronaldo was raised to the rank of Grand Officer of the Order of Prince Henry by the President of Portugal, Aníbal Cavaco Silva.

May 2014: Most Marketable Football Player

In May 2014, Repucom named Cristiano Ronaldo the most marketable and most recognized football player in the world.

2014: Champions League Win

From 2014 to 2018, Ronaldo was integral to Madrid winning four Champions Leagues, including La Décima.

2014: Named in Time 100

In 2014, Cristiano Ronaldo was named in the Time 100, Time's annual list of the most influential people in the world.

2014: 2014 Ballon d'Or

In 2014, after winning the 2014 FIFA Club World Cup, Ronaldo received the 2014 Ballon d'Or, joining Johan Cruyff, Michel Platini and Marco van Basten as a three-time recipient.

2014: Highest-Paid Footballer

In 2014–15, Cristiano Ronaldo's combined income from salaries, bonuses and endorsements was $79 million, ranking him first on Forbes list of the world's highest-paid football players.

June 2015: Galaxy Named CR7

In June 2015, astronomers led by David Sobral discovered a galaxy named Cosmos Redshift 7 (CR7) in tribute to Cristiano Ronaldo.

2015: Most Charitable Sportsperson

In 2015, Cristiano Ronaldo was named the world's most charitable sportsperson after donating £5 million to relief efforts following the earthquake in Nepal.

2015: UEFA Ultimate Team of the Year

In 2015, Ronaldo was named in the UEFA Ultimate Team of the Year.

2015: Named Best Portuguese Player of All Time

In 2015, Ronaldo was named the best Portuguese player of all time by the Portuguese Football Federation.

2015: Highest-Earning Athlete

In 2015–16, Cristiano Ronaldo's total income was $88 million from his salary and endorsements. In 2014-15, his combined income was $79 million

July 2016: Madeira Airport Renamed

On July 23, 2016, following Portugal's Euro 2016 triumph, Madeira Airport in Funchal was renamed Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport.

2016: Highest-Earning Athlete

In 2016, Cristiano 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: 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. He received the Silver Boot as the second-highest goalscorer and won his fourth Ballon d'Or later that year.

2016: ESPN's Most Famous Athlete

In 2016, ESPN named Cristiano Ronaldo the world's most famous athlete.

2016: Leads Portugal to Euro 2016 Victory

In 2016, Ronaldo led Portugal to their first major tournament title at Euro 2016, earning a Silver Boot.

2016: Wins Ballon d'Or Award

In 2016, Ronaldo won back-to-back Ballon d'Or awards in 2013 and 2014, and again in 2016 and 2017, and was runner-up three times behind Lionel Messi.

2016: 2016 Ballon d'Or and The Best FIFA Men's Player

In 2016, Ronaldo won the Ballon d'Or, his fourth, and the inaugural The Best FIFA Men's Player, largely owing to his success with Portugal in winning Euro 2016.

2017: ESPN's Most Famous Athlete

In 2017, ESPN named Cristiano Ronaldo the world's most famous athlete.

2017: Wins Ballon d'Or Award

In 2017, Ronaldo won back-to-back Ballon d'Or awards in 2013 and 2014, and again in 2016 and 2017, and was runner-up three times behind Lionel Messi.

2017: The Best FIFA Men's Player Award for the second year

On 23 October, Ronaldo's performances throughout 2017 saw him awarded The Best FIFA Men's Player award for the second consecutive year.

April 2018: Bicycle Kick Goal Against Juventus

On 3 April 2018, Ronaldo scored an acrobatic bicycle kick against Juventus in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League, earning a standing ovation from the opposing fans.

2018: Ranked Among Influential Sports Figures

In 2018, Cristiano Ronaldo was ranked first in the ranking of the 50 most influential people in sports culture, highlighting his impact and legacy.

2018: ESPN's Most Famous Athlete and Juventus Shirt Sales

In 2018, ESPN named Cristiano Ronaldo the world's most famous athlete. Also, within 24 hours of his number 7 Juventus shirt being released, over 520,000 were sold, generating $62.4 million in one day.

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2018: 2018 World Cup Hat-trick and Record

In the 2018 World Cup, Cristiano Ronaldo became the oldest player to score a hat-trick in a World Cup match, during a 3–3 draw against Spain. He also broke Puskás' record as the highest European goalscorer of all time, with 85 international goals.

2018: Supercoppa Italiana Win

On 16 January 2019, Ronaldo won his first trophy with Juventus, the 2018 Supercoppa Italiana, after scoring the only goal against AC Milan.

January 2019: Supercoppa Italiana Win

On 16 January 2019, Ronaldo won his first trophy with Juventus, the 2018 Supercoppa Italiana, after scoring the only goal against AC Milan.

July 2019: Las Vegas Prosecutors Decline Charges

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.

2019: UEFA Nations League Victory

In 2019, Cristiano Ronaldo led Portugal to victory in the inaugural UEFA Nations League, receiving the top scorer award in the finals.

2020: Euro 2020 Golden Boot

In 2020, Cristiano Ronaldo received the Golden Boot as top scorer of Euro 2020, also becoming the first player to score at five European Championships.

2020: Ballon d'Or Dream Team

In 2020, Ronaldo was named in the Ballon d'Or Dream Team.

June 2021: Breaking Men's Goalscoring Record

On June 23, 2021, during the Euro 2020 match against France, Cristiano Ronaldo scored two goals, breaking the men's international goalscoring record previously held by Ali Daei.

October 2021: Lawsuit Dismissal Recommendation

In October 2021, federal magistrate judge Daniel Albregts recommended that the woman's lawsuit be dismissed, citing the woman's lawyer's bad faith use of Football Leaks documents and finding no evidence of intimidation by Ronaldo's lawyers during the 2010 settlement.

2021: FIFA Special Award

In 2021, Ronaldo received a special award for Outstanding Career Achievement by FIFA.

2021: Returns to Manchester United

In 2021, Ronaldo returned to Manchester United; his individual performances earned him inclusion in the PFA Team of the Year at 37 years old.

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, due to the repeated use of "cyber-hacked attorney–client privileged documents".

March 2023: Most Capped Male Footballer

On March 23, 2023, Cristiano Ronaldo scored a brace against Liechtenstein, earning his 197th overall cap and becoming the most capped male footballer of all time.

2023: Medal of Honor of the City of Lisbon

In 2023, the Lisbon City Council approved awarding Cristiano Ronaldo the Medal of Honor of the City.

May 2024: Surpassing League Goals Record

On May 27, 2024, Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 34th and 35th league goals of the campaign in Al-Nassr's home fixture against Al-Ittihad, surpassing Abderrazak Hamdallah's record for the most goals scored in a single Saudi Pro League season.

2024: World's Highest-Paid Athlete

In 2024, Forbes ranked Ronaldo as the world's highest-paid athlete and received Champions League All-Time Top Scorer by UEFA.

2024: First Player in Six European Championships

In 2024, with his start in Portugal's UEFA Euro 2024 opener against the Czech Republic, Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player to feature in six European Championships.