From cleaning streets to football icon: Revisiting Cristiano Ronaldo's inspiring journey

Dubai: Cristiano Ronaldo is synonymous with football. The Portuguese legend is a global icon who has etched his name into the sport through an unrelenting pursuit of greatness.

Over the course of his illustrious career, the now 40-year-old has shattered numerous records, won countless titles, and inspired millions across the world. Yet, his journey is as inspiring as his achievements, given his humble beginnings on the streets of a small town in Portugal.

Early life

Cristiano Ronaldo was born on February 5, 1985, in Funchal, Madeira—a small island off Portugal’s western coast. He was the youngest of four children born to Maria Dolores dos Santos, a municipal gardener, and José Dinis Aveiro, a cook. He was named after Ronald Reagan, one of his father’s favorite actors.

Life wasn’t easy for the young Ronaldo. Raised in a modest, working-class neighborhood in a tin-roofed home, his family often struggled to make ends meet. Despite the hardships, Ronaldo's passion for football was evident early on. He would skip meals and even miss school just to play the game he loved on the streets of Madeira.

From a young age, Ronaldo showed exceptional skill. He played for hours on end, quickly earning a reputation as a child obsessed with football. “All he wanted to do as a boy was play football,” his godfather, Fernao Sousa, once said. “He loved the game so much he'd miss meals or sneak out of his bedroom window with a ball when he was supposed to be doing homework.”

His father’s battle with alcoholism forced young Ronaldo to contribute to the family’s income, at times cleaning the streets. Still, he remained focused on football and looked up to his father with deep respect.

At age eight, Ronaldo joined Andorinha, a local amateur team where his father worked as a kit man. Recalling this period in The Players' Tribune, Ronaldo wrote:

"Before, I was just playing in the streets of Madeira with my friends... We didn’t have goals or anything, and we had to stop the game whenever cars drove by. But my father encouraged me to join Andorinha’s youth team. I knew it would make him proud, so I went."

He fondly remembers his father cheering from the sidelines, often the only family member present. Eventually, his mother and sisters came to watch, which meant the world to him—even if they didn’t quite understand the game.

Rising through the ranks

At 12, Ronaldo made a pivotal decision—he left home to join the Sporting CP academy in Lisbon. It was a bold move for a boy so young, but his talent quickly stood out. By 16, he was training with Sporting's first team, dazzling coaches with his speed and technique. A year later, he made his senior debut.

In 2003, during a pre-season friendly against Manchester United, Ronaldo caught the eye of Sir Alex Ferguson. So impressed was the legendary coach that United signed him later that year for a then-record fee for a teenager. He inherited the iconic No 7 jersey.

Tragedy struck in 2005 when his father passed away from alcohol-related kidney issues. Just two years later, his mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. Ferguson supported Ronaldo through these difficult times.

“Cristiano, you can go one day, two days, one week? You can go. I'm going to miss you here because you are important, but your daddy is the priority,” Ferguson told him.

Breakthrough years

The 2006–07 season marked Ronaldo’s breakthrough. In 2007–08, he reached new heights, scoring 42 goals across all competitions and leading Manchester United to both the Premier League title and the Uefa Champions League trophy. That same year, he won his first Ballon d'Or.

Though thriving at United, Ronaldo had always dreamt of playing for Real Madrid. In 2009, that dream became reality when he transferred to Madrid for a then-world-record fee of $131 million. Over the next nine seasons, he became the face of the club, breaking numerous records and leading them to four Champions League titles.

In 2018, Ronaldo moved to Juventus, embracing a new challenge in Italy’s Serie A. His time in Turin was successful on the pitch, though he also faced off-field challenges, including a rape allegation and a tax fraud case—both of which drew global media attention.

Later career and legacy

In 2021, Ronaldo returned to Manchester United in a dramatic comeback that thrilled fans. Although his second stint had ups and downs, he continued to break records—most notably becoming the all-time leading goal scorer in international football, surpassing Ali Daei’s long-standing record.

But in 2023, Ronaldo made headlines once again with his move to Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr. The move sparked debate, but it ultimately proved lucrative. He reportedly signed a record-breaking deal, becoming football’s first billionaire.