Cristiano Ronaldo's Success and Achievements in Timeline

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

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.

Sections (7)

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

1968: United's First Ballon d'Or Winner Since Best

With his 2008 Ballon d'Or and 2008 FIFA World Player of the Year, Ronaldo became United's first Ballon d'Or winner since Best in 1968.

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.

2006: Personal Awards

In the 2006-07 season, Ronaldo won the PFA Player's Player, Fans' Player, and Young Player of the Year awards, and the FWA Footballer of the Year award.

2007: Ballon d'Or Runner-Up

In 2007, Ronaldo was named runner-up to Kaká for the Ballon d'Or and came third for the FIFA World Player of the Year award.

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.

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.

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.

2012: Euro Team of the Tournament

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

2012: First La Liga title since 2012

In 2016-17 season, Cristiano Ronaldo helped Madrid to win their first La Liga title since 2012.

2012: UEFA Euro 2012

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

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.

2013: Ballon d'Or

In 2013, Ronaldo won a Ballon d'Or.

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.

2015: UEFA Ultimate Team of the Year

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

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: Won the 2016 Ballon d'Or

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

2016: Led Portugal to Euro Title

In 2016, Ronaldo led Portugal to their first major tournament title at Euro 2016 and was named in the team of the tournament for the third time.

2016: Ballon d'Or

In 2016, Ronaldo won a Ballon d'Or.

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.

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: Ballon d'Or

In 2017, Ronaldo won a Ballon d'Or.

2018: Influential people in sports culture for 2018

In 2018, Cristiano Ronaldo was ranked first in the ranking of the 50 most influential people in sports culture for 2018.

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: 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.

July 2019: Las Vegas Prosecutors Decline to Charge

In July 2019, Las Vegas prosecutors announced they would not charge Cristiano Ronaldo over the rape allegations, 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

Cristiano Ronaldo received the Golden Boot as top scorer of Euro 2020 and also became 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 23 June 2021, Cristiano Ronaldo scored two goals in the Euro 2020 match against France, breaking the men's goalscoring record previously held by Ali Daei.

October 2021: Lawsuit Dismissal Recommended

In October 2021, federal magistrate judge Daniel Albregts recommended that the rape lawsuit against Cristiano Ronaldo be dismissed due to the woman's lawyer's unethical use of Football Leaks documents.

2021: FIFA Achievement Award

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

June 2022: Rape Lawsuit Dismissed

In June 2022, the rape lawsuit against Cristiano Ronaldo was dismissed with prejudice in the United States District Court for the District of Nevada, due to the plaintiff's lawyer's abuse of privileged documents.

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.

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.

2024: UEFA Award

In 2024, Ronaldo received Champions League All-Time Top Scorer award by UEFA.

June 2025: Wins second Nations League title

On 8 June 2025, Ronaldo won his second Nations League title, helping Portugal defeat Spain in the final, scoring eight goals in nine games in the tournament.

2025: UEFA Nations League Title

In 2025, Ronaldo won a UEFA Nations League.

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.