Cristiano Ronaldo is a Portuguese professional footballer widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport. Born on February 5, 1985, in Funchal, Madeira, Portugal, Ronaldo's journey began at a young age when he joined the youth team of Andorinha. His talent quickly became evident, leading to a move to Sporting Lisbon's academy.

Ronaldo's breakthrough came when he signed with Manchester United in 2003, where he developed into a world-class player under the guidance of Sir Alex Ferguson. During his time at United, he won three Premier League titles and the UEFA Champions League in 2008, earning his first Ballon d'Or that same year. In 2009, he transferred to Real Madrid for a then-world record fee of €94 million, where he solidified his legacy by becoming the club's all-time top scorer and winning numerous titles, including four more Champions League trophies.

In 2018, Ronaldo moved to Juventus, where he continued to excel, winning two Serie A titles before returning to Manchester United in 2021. Known for his incredible athleticism, goal-scoring prowess, and work ethic, Ronaldo has also had a significant impact on the Portuguese national team, leading them to victory in the 2016 UEFA European Championship and the 2019 UEFA Nations League. As he continues to break records and inspire future generations, Ronaldo's influence on football is undeniable, making him a true icon of the sport.Ronaldo began his senior career with Sporting CP, before signing with Manchester United in 2003, winning the FA Cup in his first season. He would also go on to win three consecutive Premier League titles, the Champions League and the FIFA Club World Cup; at age 23, he won his first Ballon d'Or. Ronaldo was the subject of the then-most expensive association football transfer when he signed for Real Madrid in 2009 in a transfer worth €94 million (£80 million). He became a key contributor and formed an attacking trio with Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale which was integral to the team winning four Champions Leagues from 2014 to 2018, including La Décima. During this period, he won back-to-back Ballons d'Or in 2013 and 2014, and again in 2016 and 2017, and was runner-up three times behind Lionel Messi, his perceived career rival. He also became the club's all-time top goalscorer and the all-time top scorer in the Champions League, and finished as the competition's top scorer for six consecutive seasons between 2012 and 2018. With Real, Ronaldo won four Champions Leagues, two La Liga titles, two Copas del Rey, two UEFA Super Cups and three Club World Cups. In 2018, he signed for Juventus in a transfer worth an initial €100 million (£88 million), the most expensive transfer for an Italian club and for a player over 30 years old. He won two Serie A titles, two Supercoppa Italiana trophies and a Coppa Italia, became the inaugural Serie A Most Valuable Player, and the first footballer to finish as top scorer in the English, Spanish and Italian leagues. He returned to Manchester United in 2021, finishing his only full season as the club's top scorer, before his contract was terminated in 2022. In 2023, he signed for Al Nassr.

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Yakubu Kataali

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