03 February,2024 10:18 AM IST | Mumbai | Sujay Shivalkar
Cristiano Ronaldo (Pic: AFP)
Portugal-born footballer Cristiano Ronaldo played for Andorinha, where his father worked as a kit man. At 12 years old, Ronaldo went for a trial with Sporting CP where he was selected for a fee of 1,500 Euros, thus leaving his family behind and moving to Lisbon. He subsequently dropped out to focus on the sport.
Cristiano Ronaldo faced several complications as a student and could only study till grade six. It is not known to many that the footballer was expelled from school for hurling a chair at his teacher, who he claimed had disrespected him. A year later, he underwent heart surgery due to a condition that could have forced him to give up the sport.
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In 2003, Ronaldo joined Manchester United and thereon he acquired fame in football. From 2009 on, he donned the Real Madrid jersey for nine years. The footballer played for Juventus for four years and returned to ManU for two years. Currently, he plays for Al Nassr.
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Who knew the son of a kit man would go on to become one of the most decorated footballers? Ronaldo has several achievements to his name. He is a Ballon Do'r winner five times in the years 2008, 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2017. Back in the year 2008, he was crowned as FIFA World Player of the Year. He also won the Premier League's Golden Boot for 2007-08. He was Premier Leaguue's player of the season for 2006-07 and 2007-08. In 2016, Cristiano Ronaldo won the FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball. He is the most capped Men's football in history with 205 caps.
Even at the age of 38, he is still one of the finest and fittest footballers. He sweats it out on and off the field to be among the top athletes across the globe. The Portugal player has inspired several youngsters to take up sport and to chase their dreams. He proved that irrespective of one's background, a person with a focused goal can achieve anything in the world.
