Cristiano Ronaldo's Success and Achievements in Timeline

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

Cristiano Ronaldo, nicknamed CR7, is a Portuguese professional footballer widely regarded as one of the greatest of all time. He currently plays for Al Nassr and captains the Portugal national team. His accolades include five Ballon d'Or awards, a record three UEFA Men's Player of the Year Awards, and four European Golden Shoes. Ronaldo has won 33 trophies, including seven league titles, five UEFA Champions Leagues, and the UEFA European Championship. He holds records for most Champions League goals (140) and assists (42), European Championship goals (14) and assists (8), and most international appearances (219) and goals (136). He is one of the few players to exceed 1,200 professional appearances and has scored over 900 official senior career goals, making him the all-time top goalscorer.

Sections (7)

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

1968: First Ballon d'Or winner

Ronaldo became United's first Ballon d'Or winner since Best in 1968.

2006: Awards for the Season

During the 2006-07 season, Ronaldo amassed awards for the season.

2006: Youngest Goalscorer for Portugal at World Cup

In the 2006 FIFA World Cup, Cristiano Ronaldo became the youngest ever goalscorer for Portugal at a World Cup finals. He was overlooked for the tournament's Best Young Player award.

2007: Runner-up for Ballon d'Or

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

2008: First Ballon d'Or

In 2008, at the age of 23, Cristiano Ronaldo won his first Ballon d'Or with a record-high vote count.

2010: 2010 World Cup

During the 2010 World Cup, Cristiano Ronaldo scored one goal and was named man of the match in all three group stage matches.

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 against Barcelona. He also became the first player in La Liga to score 40 goals.

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

In 2011, Ronaldo finished runner-up to Lionel Messi in the 2011 FIFA Ballon d'Or after scoring 60 goals across all competitions and leading Madrid to their first league title in four years.

2011: Record-Breaking La Liga Title Win

In the 2011-12 season, Ronaldo won a record-breaking La Liga title.

2012: Named to the Euro 2012 Team of the Tournament

At Euro 2012, Ronaldo was named to 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: UEFA Euro 2012

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

2013: Joined by Gareth Bale and Wins 2013 FIFA Ballon d'Or

During the 2013–14 season, in 2013, Ronaldo was joined at the club by Gareth Bale forming 'BBC'. He scored 69 goals, winning the 2013 FIFA Ballon d'Or and the FIFA World Player of the Year award.

2013: Ballon d'Or Award

In 2013, Ronaldo won back-to-back Ballon d'Or awards.

2013: Highest-paid football player

In 2013-2014, Cristiano Ronaldo was ranked by Forbes as the world's highest-paid football player, with a combined income from salaries, bonuses, and endorsements of $73 million.

2013: First "Siuuu" Celebration and International Champions Cup Win

On August 7, 2013, Cristiano Ronaldo first performed the "Siuuu" celebration during the International Champions Cup Final between Real Madrid and Chelsea after scoring a goal. Madrid won the match 3–1 to claim the International Champions Cup.

January 2014: Raised to the 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, in recognition of his global representation of Portugal and example of tenacity.

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: Champions League Win

In 2014, Ronaldo was integral to Madrid's Champions League win.

2014: 2014 FIFA Club World Cup and Ballon d'Or

In 2014, after winning the 2014 FIFA Club World Cup, Ronaldo received the 2014 Ballon d'Or, becoming a three-time recipient. He also set a new personal best of 61 goals during the 2014-15 season.

2014: Highest-paid football player

In 2014-2015, Cristiano Ronaldo was ranked by Forbes as the world's highest-paid football player, with a combined income from salaries, bonuses, and endorsements of $79 million.

2015: Named world's most charitable sportsperson

In 2015, Cristiano 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: Named in 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 2015-2016, Cristiano Ronaldo had a total income of $88 million from his salary and endorsements, earning him the title of the highest-earning athlete.

2016: Highest-earning athlete

In 2016, Cristiano Ronaldo became the first footballer to top 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 and Ballon d'Or

In 2016, Cristiano Ronaldo led Portugal to their first-ever trophy at the UEFA Euro 2016, receiving the Silver Boot and his fourth Ballon d'Or later that year. Portugal also qualified for the FIFA Confederations Cup.

2016: Matches Goalscoring Record

In 2016, Cristiano Ronaldo reached the same goalscoring record as in 2023, scoring 54 goals.

2016: Named world's most famous athlete

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

2016: Euro 2016 Victory

In 2016, Ronaldo led Portugal to their first major tournament title at Euro 2016, being named in the team of the tournament and receiving the Silver Boot.

2016: Ballon d'Or Award

In 2016, Ronaldo won back-to-back Ballon d'Or awards.

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

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

2017: Named world's most famous athlete

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

2017: Ballon d'Or Award

In 2017, Ronaldo won back-to-back Ballon d'Or awards.

2017: Awarded The Best FIFA Men's Player and 2017 Ballon d'Or

Throughout 2017, and awarded in October, his performances led to him receiving The Best FIFA Men's Player award for the second consecutive year. A day later, Ronaldo won the 2017 Ballon d'Or, receiving his fifth award.

2018: 2018 World Cup Hat-Trick and European Goal Record

During 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. He also broke Puskás' record as the highest European goalscorer of all time, with 85 international goals, and was named in the World Cup Dream Team.

2018: Named world's most famous athlete and High Sales of Juventus shirt

In 2018, ESPN named Cristiano Ronaldo the world's most famous athlete. Within 24 hours of his Juventus number 7 shirt being released, over 520,000 had been sold, generating $62.4 million.

2018: Prolific World Cup Campaign

In 2018, Ronaldo had his most prolific World Cup campaign and was voted in the Fan Dream Team.

2018: Ranked Most Influential Person in Sports Culture

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

January 2019: Won 2018 Supercoppa Italiana

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

July 2019: Las Vegas Prosecutors Decline to Charge Ronaldo

In July 2019, Las Vegas prosecutors announced they would not charge Cristiano Ronaldo over allegations of rape due to insufficient evidence.

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.

2019: Named world's most famous athlete

In 2019, ESPN named Cristiano Ronaldo the world's most famous athlete.

2020: Euro 2020 Golden Boot

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

2020: Golden Boot at Euro 2020

In 2020, Ronaldo received the Golden Boot as top scorer of Euro 2020.

2020: Named in Ballon d'Or Dream Team

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

June 2021: Breaks Men's Goalscoring Record

On June 23, 2021, in 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: Recommendation to Dismiss Rape Lawsuit

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

2021: FIFA Award

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

2021: Return to Manchester United

In 2021, Ronaldo returned to Manchester United and was included in the PFA Team of the Year at 37 years old.

June 2022: Rape Lawsuit Dismissed with Prejudice

In June 2022, the woman's rape lawsuit against Cristiano Ronaldo was dismissed with prejudice in the United States District Court for the District of Nevada due to the lawyer's 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 cap and becoming the most capped male footballer of all time.

2023: Top Scorer in 2023

In 2023, Cristiano Ronaldo scored a total of 54 goals in all competitions for both Al-Nassr and Portugal, making him the outright top scorer of the year, equaling his previous record from 2016.

2023: Awarded the 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, proposed by its president, Carlos Moedas, due to his passion for the city.

May 2024: Breaks Saudi League Scoring Record

On May 27, 2024, in Al Nassr's home fixture against Al-Ittihad, 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 equaled Rogério Ceni's record for the most top-level matches played by a male professional footballer, reaching 1,225 matches on May 31, 2024.

2024: Highest-Paid Athlete by Forbes

In 2024, Ronaldo was ranked the world's highest-paid athlete by Forbes and received special awards from FIFA and UEFA.

2024: First Player to Feature 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. Later, on September 5, 2024, he scored his 900th career goal.