And of course, it wasn’t any old car, it had to be a Ferrari! Ronaldo was on his way to a training session when the accident happened in 2009. The car crashed inside a tunnel, and the entire front end of the supercar was destroyed.
Luckily Ronaldo came out uninjured, and no other cars were involved. He is so chill that he took part in the training session right after this frightening experience.
Humble Beginnings
The young Cristiano Ronaldo could have hardly imagined living the life he lives now. Born into an impoverished family, with his father working as a gardener and maintenance man and his mother working as a cook and maid, the family often found it hard to make ends meet.
Cristiano and his three other siblings had no choice but to share a single bedroom. He inherited all of his clothes as hand-me-downs from his older brother, Hugo.
The World’s Best Son
It’s payback time! The woman that raised Ronaldo and provided for him by cooking and cleaning for other people is now reaping all the benefits of being his mom. Maria Dolores dos Santos Aveiro, Ronaldo’s mother is well looked-after. That may even be an understatement!
Ronaldo has bought his dear mom a collection of luxury vehicles including Mercedes Benz GLC and a Porsche Panamera. Rumor has it that Ronaldo even bought her a Ferrari!
Ronaldo Regan?
Cristiano Ronaldo wears his name proudly. However, most are unaware that Cristiano’s last name is not Ronaldo but dos Santos Aveiro. The legend’s middle name, Ronaldo, has an extraordinarily peculiar and somewhat funny history.
Cristiano was born when Ronald Regan was president in the United States. When he was an actor, his parents were fans of Regan and were impressed by Ronald’s “strong sounding” name. They decided to christen the infant as “Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro”!
Little Bee
Some nicknames just stick. Crybaby sure has. But another lesser-known nickname of Ronaldo's is Abelhinder or Little bee. This goes back to his childhood — back when he’d buzz around the pitches of Madeira.
He was relatively small but super-fast, just like a little bee. He still buzzes around at lightning speed as a professional footballer, although he’s all grown up now, so “Little” doesn’t stick anymore. We do think that he still stings like a bee on the field.
A Helping Hand
Ronaldo has credited a close friend Albert Frantau for having a hand in his success. Back in the day, during a youth club game, Frantau passed up a goal and allowed Ronaldo to score the goal. This would lead to Ronaldo being accepted into a sporting academy.
Ronaldo asked him why he’d done this, and Frantau simply said, “You’re better than me.” The star player has honored the man years later by buying him a car and a home!
Cristiano’s Heart
Cristiano Ronaldo had a heart problem that almost put an end to his athletic aspirations. Tachycardia is a relatively common heart condition that causes the afflicted heart to beat rapidly, frequently in excess of one hundred beats per minute.
While generally not fatal, the physical demands of being a football player would have caused long-term issues. Cristiano underwent a routine operation at 15 to prevent tachycardia. The operation was successful and Cristiano was back on the football pitch within two days!
Ronaldo and Paris Hilton
Way back in 2009, Paris Hilton was helping Ronaldo celebrate his £94 million transfer to Real Madrid from Manchester United. The celebrations were at My House, a trendy Hollywood nightclub, and the photos that surfaced showed them getting super friendly!
On the rebound from Doug Reinhardt, the Hilton heiress was seen flirting heavily with the football star. When questioned, Paris said, “They were just getting to know each other.” Sure.
One Date With Gemma Atkinson
Gemma Atkinson of Hollyoaks fame went on a single date with Ronaldo. You may think that the date would entail limousines, diamond-encrusted roses, and a candlelit gourmet dinner. Not so fast!
It wasn’t nearly as spectacular or as steamy as you’d imagine. Apparently, the two of them went back to her place, drank tea, and watched Only Fools and Horses. Or maybe this is just what they’d like us to believe.
Irina Ronaldo?
Ronaldo and Irina Shayk started dating after they met on an Armani Exchange advert set back in 2010. The two were seen on a yacht together, and there were rumors of a valentine's day engagement. So why did they break up?
There are a ton of rumors around Ronaldo's fling with the supermodel. One of which is that Shayk didn’t get along with Ronaldo’s dear mother. But this has been neither confirmed nor denied by Ronaldo.
Cristiano Ronaldo Jr.
Cristiano Ronaldo is probably THE hottest dad ever. Like… we’re okay with the stereotypical dad bods, but how can you compare this dad bod to the rest? He sets a new level. Sorry, dads of the world.
Despite the accolades and wealth, he is indeed a family man. His first son was born in 2010 and is named after his dad — Cristiano Ronaldo Jr. Young Ronaldo Jr. certainly has the world at his feet. Can he follow in his father’s footsteps? We’ll just have to wait and see!
Who's the Mother of Cristiano Ronaldo Jr.?
The famed professional football player became a father at the age of 25. It is not clear whether his son was born via surrogacy or not. Ronaldo has full custody of him and refused to disclose any details about the mother per their agreement.
There were rumors that the mother was given a massive amount of money in exchange for full custody to Cristiano Jr. In an interview, Ronaldo mentioned that at the right time, he will explain to his eldest child the situation with regards to his mother.
I am Georgina
Ronaldo and Georgina have become a hot topic ever since they started their fiery Romance back in 2017. Until now our only window into their lives has been Instagram and a few gossip columns. Introducing I Am Georgina — an emotional documentary series that looks into the life and times of Ronaldo's lover and best friend.
That isn’t her only title, though. Georgina is a fierce businesswoman, model, dancer, and mega-influencer! But much like Ronaldo, she too has humble beginnings. This show offers the full scoop!
Family Values
When Ronaldo isn’t signing huge endorsements, modeling, or kicking the ball around, he is likely to be with his beloved family. Ronaldo has six kids and is married to Georgina Rodriguez.
Georgina worked as a salesperson at a Gucci store in Madrid when the two met in 2016. A year later, Georgina had her first child with Ronaldo, and they officially became a blended family. By 2021 they were expecting a set of twins.
Ronaldo’s Celebrity Fans
Yes. Arnold Schwarzenegger — the bodybuilder, film star, and politician said that Ronaldo’s got a fantastic physique and that he has great abs. Schwarzenegger is not the only celebrity fan of Ronaldo. Not only is Will Smith a football fan but he has said that he loves Ronaldo and once said that he admires his taste and style.
Other celebs fans include Conor McGregor, Robbie Williams, and Rihanna. What else would you expect from the world’s most-followed celebrity?
Messi and Ronaldo
It is no wonder Ronaldo and Messi are such rivals. For one, they are continuously breaking each other’s records! For years, fans and critics have been comparing everything from their salaries to their accolades. To add fuel to the flame, Ronaldo Jr. seems to be a fan of Messi, and Thiago, Messi’s son, is a big fan of Ronaldo.
For the most part, Messi and Ronaldo have managed to show a decent level of respect for each other.
Ballon d’Ore
Being the winner that he is, Ronaldo’s trophy cabinet must be getting pretty cluttered by now. But no award holds as much prestige as the Ballon d’Or. In 2008, Ronaldo became the first Manchester United player to hold the Ballon d’Or since George Best. He’d go on to win another 4 of them!
Ronaldo has claimed that one of his greatest ambitions is to finish his career with more Ballon d'Or Awards than Lionel Messi.
Run Ronaldo Run
Not only is he devilishly handsome and ultra-rich, he’s also one of the fastest runners on the football field! Little Bee is still buzzing about at top speed — catch him if you can.
In 2021 Ronaldo clocked 32.51 Km/h — that’s more than 20 miles per hour! His roughly 10% of body fat makes him a powerful running machine. With his speed and his agility, there is no wonder he gives Messi a run for his money.
Hot Wax
Cristiano Ronaldo’s iconic wax figure, valued at a scorching $150,000, made its debut in late October 2021 at the Blue Waters Island in Dubai.
Let’s be honest for a minute here — with a model this hot, we’re surprised the wax does not melt!
Like its famous model, the sculpture made a bit of a stir as it has Cristiano wearing his now retired Juventus jersey and not his current Manchester United attire. Awkward!
King of Facebook
Talk about putting the face into Facebook! Cristiano Ronaldo made social media history when his Facebook account soared past the ten million followers mark in early 2010. Since then, Cristiano has racked up a staggering one hundred and twenty million followers — a first for a non-American public figure.
If Facebook statistics are to be used to measure popularity, these figures would mean that Ronaldo is hands-down the single most famous athlete in the world.
Model Citizen
Cristiano Ronaldo’s talents extend far beyond his football pitch. His chiseled good looks have made him the darling of many fashion houses, including Nike, Calvin Klein, Armani, and a host of others. Being in high demand, Cristiano has had the privilege of charging a pretty (make that very pretty) penny to model fashion lines.
He has reportedly earned around twenty-five million dollars a year to do so — over and above all of his other salaries and endorsements.
The Ultimate Influencer
It’s safe to say that Cristiano Ronaldo takes the Instagram crown. With a follower count soaring over the four hundred million mark, Cristiano made more money through Instagram than when he played for the club Juventus by almost fifteen million dollars!
How does Cristiano achieve such an income? For any of us with an Instagram account wondering how to generate such a profit, it’s simple, really: charge a cool one million dollars per product placement as Cristiano does!
European Emotions
As the list of positives about Cristiano Ronaldo grows, to top off being dashingly good-looking and obscenely wealthy, he is also well-known for being incredibly in touch with his feelings. So in touch with his feelings that his family and teammates have given him the nickname “Cry baby”!
Not one to shy away from his emotions, Cristiano is known to cry openly at any defeat. The “Cry baby” has a downside, too – apparently, Cristiano has a history of temper tantrums!
The David Diss
We are not sure if this falls into the category of friendly fire, critical football analysis, or downright snark. Still, David Beckham was quoted as stating that the football world must be “hallucinating” to draw any comparisons between the prowess and technical skills of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
Beckham further exclaimed that Lionel Messi is “the best player in the world.” Ouch, David. We hope this stays professional!
A Man of Many Accolades
Cristiano Ronaldo’s star shone brightly during the 2006 to 2007 football season as he made a name for himself as an up-and-coming player, and the awards piled up. As the cherry on top, Cristiano was the first-ever football player to bag all of the main Professional Football Player and Football Writer’s Association awards in one go.
These titles included the Player’s Player, Fans’ Player, and Young Player of the Year awards.
Captain Cristiano
Aye, aye, Captain! Cristiano Ronaldo took the helm of his team, Manchester United, as captain on the 19th of March 2008. In true Cristiano fashion, he ensured that this momentous occasion would go down in history in more ways than one.
Cristiano blazed across the field, scoring two goals that ultimately took the match for Manchester United that day. Cristiano beat the record previously held by George Best by scoring his 33rd goal during the match just to add icing to the cake.
Keeping It Real Madrid
After captaining Manchester United and leading a bountiful season, Cristiano quit while he was ahead and decided to pursue opportunities with other clubs, intending to join the ranks of Real Madrid specifically. Manchester United was, expectedly, not going to let their star player go without a fight and decided to lay a complaint with FIFA against Real Madrid with accusations of poaching.
FIFA head, Sepp Blatter, snapped back and said any player should be permitted to change clubs at will.
Cristiano’s Sweet Tooth
As you know, the star jumped ship from Manchester United to Real Madrid. An interviewer asked Ronaldo what he would miss the most after leaving the United Kingdom. The totally unexpected response came in the form of “apple crumble and custard”!
While being renowned for healthy eating habits, Cristiano developed a deep passion for the English dessert. Some say his sweet tooth grew while he was a resident in the United Kingdom. The real juicy story here, though, is the fact that he did not mention any players!
You’ve Got a Friend in Me
When you are a world-famous football player with every resource and convenience at your disposal, how do you best show your love and admiration for your friends? By buying an entire island for them in the Greek Isles, of course!
Close confidante and agent of Cristiano Ronaldo, Jorge Mendes, requested that Cristiano be the best man at his wedding. Cristiano took the gesture so to heart that he bought Jorge a wedding gift in the form of a private island. Wouldn't you want to be Ronaldo's friend?
A Ph.D. in Cristiano Ronaldo
No, Cristiano Ronaldo does not have a university degree. A university in Canada, the University of British Columbia Okanagan, offers, of all things, a course on the man himself. Yes, the life and times of Cristiano Ronaldo is part of an elective for sociology students.
Admittedly, it has less to do with the player himself and more about the “sociological relevance of social phenomena like organized sport and the forces that create a global athlete.” Still, we bet many football fans take this class regardless.
Rockstar Reception
When Cristiano Ronaldo moved over to Real Madrid, his first performance at the world-famous Santiago Bernabéu Stadium drew in crowds that shattered even attendance for Maradona’s games. Walking onto the pitch, the beaming Cristiano was greeted by the roar of around eighty thousand fans, falling just short of the 81,000 seat capacity the stadium holds.
Diego Maradona held the previous record for fan attendance, who drew in a crowd of 75,000 spectators.
Goals Goals Goals
Back in 2006, Ronaldo scored his first World cup goal while playing against Iran. This would be the first of many! The powerhouse would go on to score 42 goals during the 2007/2008 season.
It is no wonder why this man has made a name for himself in the game. In 2008, Ronaldo scored his first hat trick (three goals in one match). This would not be his final one; in fact, he would hold 58 by the end of 2021.
Player of the Year
Ronaldo was the first Manchester United player to hold the coveted Ballon d’Or since George Best. But wait, there’s more. He was also named FIFA World Player of the year. Ronaldo was the first Premier League player to be awarded this honor.
It seems like the accolades pour in faster than any of us can keep up! A strike from 40-yards away got him the FIFA Puskas Award. This was awarded to highlight the best goal of the year!
CR7?
It sounds like a spy name but is actually a nickname for Ronaldo. The name is a mash-up of his initials and his preferred number. Renaldo received this numbered shirt when he joined Manchester United. Later in his career, he swapped his number 17 for number 7.
Everyone knows 7 is a lucky number. But could this be the secret to his success? Probably not, but it makes for a cool-sounding nickname!
Temper Temper
Ronaldo’s temper tantrums have early beginnings. He was expelled from school after an altercation with his teacher. When questioned about his outburst, he said the teacher disrespected him. This wouldn’t be the last fit that he’d throw. In 2010 he started a fight with his own teammate, Nani.
Ronaldo was about to score one of the best goals in his career when Nani intercepted the ball. Suffice to say, Ronaldo was not happy about this.
Red Card
Ronaldo received his first ULC red card in 2019 while playing for Juventus. During the match, Ronaldo pulled the hair of Jeison Murillo. This infamous red card was given by referee Felix Brych, who sent Ronaldo for an early shower.
As you can imagine, this upset Ronaldo greatly. Whether he should have been sent off is a matter of opinion. That aside, Ronaldo’s reaction goes down in history as one of the most vigorous protests in football history.
Red Repercussion
During the infamous red card incident, Maximiliano Allegri's rule at Allianz Stadium was that any player to receive a red card during a match would have to buy the entire team a gift. Apparently, it took some time — about two months. But the team eventually received their gift of an Apple iMac.
Do you think this pricey penalty brought him to tears? Let’s face it — he probably never even felt it. Either way, his teammates must have appreciated the gesture!
Trump Tower Apartment
Cristiano Ronaldo owns an apartment in the famous Trump Towers. Two thousand five hundred and nine square feet of Versailles wooden flooring dating back to the eighteenth century.
This testament to his obscene wealth cost him measly $18.5 million. This is a mere pocket change for this superstar! One of Ronaldo's homes is a mansion on the Portuguese Riviera. This is a small portion of his property portfolio which is worth over $40 million.
Kick of King Midas
Real Madrid came in second in the 2011 Champions League, La Liga, and lost the semi-finals. That aside, Ronaldo was awarded the European golden boot award for scoring 40 goals during that season. The boot probably would have cluttered up his already crowded trophy cabinet.
So Ronaldo decided to auction it off. The boot was sold for a smooth $1.2 million. All of which was put toward building schools in the Middle East.
Selling Awards
Good-guy Ronaldo had many philanthropic efforts. When he sold his Ballon d'Or awards he got a chilled 530,000 great British pounds which he gave to the Make-a-Wish foundation. Not to worry, though; he has more Ballon d'Ors!
His first he earned in 2008 while playing for Manchester united. Ronaldo would go on to earn another three while playing for Real Madrid between 2013 and 2016. Ronaldo’s capacity for charity is prolific!
Ice Bucket Challenge
From one look at his Instagram profile, Ronaldo doesn’t seem to need a reason to strip down to his boxers. The ice bucket challenge was an honorable craze.
The initial aim was to raise money for ALS. After stripping down at a Madrid practice session to have ice water dumped over him, Ronaldo nominated Lil’ Wayne, J Lo, and Beyonce for the #icebucket challenge. Nice-guy Ronaldo does it again. This time in his underwear.
Private Jet
In 2020, Ronaldo became the first footballer to be added to the Forbes Billionaires list. He can have anything he wants now, so why not get a private jet? The big question is, what plane is worthy of a Forbes-approved football champion?
A 2006 Gulfstream G200 seems like a reasonable choice. It was refurbished in 2019 and features three seats that transform into a bed. It even has a fax machine. Who the heck is Ronaldo faxing these days?
The Man Kicks Hard
At a friendly game at Vitality Stadium against Bournemouth, Ronaldo sent a free-kick into the crowd. A boy, age 11, was there to block it. The kid got a free Real Madrid shirt and, of course, it was signed by Ronaldo. A similar incident occurred at a Champions League game when Ronaldo launched a ball toward the stands.
What can we say? The man knows how to kick, but maybe he shouldn't direct the ball towards the audience?
You Get a Watch, You Get a Watch!
Football bonuses are known to be astronomical. This was the case when the Real Madrid players were awarded their tenth Champions League title. Ronaldo stepped up the celebrations when he bought each of his teammates a luxury watch by Bulgari.
Each watch even had the player's name engraved on the back case! One of these watches cost £5000 — mere pocket change for a rock star.
Poker Face
Could you call his bluff? Football is just one of Ronaldo’s talents. Ronaldo is a huge poker fan and has even played some of the best poker players in the world. He signed a deal with PokerStars in 2015, and he has since become an ambassador for the company.
Aaron Paul of Breaking Bad fame went head to head with the football star. As you may have guessed, Ronaldo came out on top.
He Might Be a Bit Car Mad
Ferrari, Bugatti, Bentley. You name it. He’s got it. Ronaldo’s car collection is worth £17 million and counting. His third Generation Bentley Flying Spur costs more than what most people make in a year. But this is only the tip of the iceberg.
Ronaldo’s collection includes two Lamborghini, three Ferraris, two Bugatti, a few Rolls Royces, a Porsche 911 Turbo, Range Rover SVR Sport, and a handful of Audi. One of Ronaldo’s most expensive cars is his £2.15 Bugatti Chiron.
Just Do It
LeBron James and Michael Jordan are the few athletes to sign a lifetime endorsement with Nike. Ronaldo joined their ranks when he signed with the company in 2016.
Over the span of Ronaldo’s life, this endorsement should earn him $1 billion. This may be the most significant athlete endorsement globally and makes Ronaldo a mega-influencer. The amount that Nike stands to make from this deal is incalculable.
Ambidextrous Dribbler
No, he doesn’t dribble from both sides of his mouth. He is right-footed and is able to control the ball exceptionally well with his left foot. On top of that, he is known to play attacking roles.
Mainly as a winger or a sticker. Ronaldo is great at passing, finding gaps, and kicking with precision. Though he can control the ball well with his left, he often prefers to cut from the left-wing and score with his right.
Ronaldo the Fashionista
Diamond-studded belts, buckled loafers, and leather pocketed jeans. These are just a few of the items that you will find in Ronaldo’s fashion Boutique. The first store was opened in Portugal on the island of Madeira in 2006.
The business eventually expanded to Lisbon in 2008. The name of his fashion Boutique is CR7 — named after himself, of course. From football player to poker champ to fashionista. What is next for this champion?
He Doesn’t Touch the Stuff
Unlike some footballers, Ronaldo doesn’t drink. You may think that it’s because he’s a straight-laced professional sportsman. Sure, this may indeed be a contributing factor to the reasons why Ronaldo steers clear of the liquid.
However, he has also stated that he has seen firsthand its harmful effects and wishes to honor his body and those close to him. You will most times only find Ronaldo sipping the good old H2O!
CR7 Eau de Toilette
When do you know you have arrived? You have your own fragrance, of course. In 2017 Ronaldo released his scent named CR7 Origins. French perfumer Pierre Gueros composed this symphony of smells.
Apparently, it is inspired by the notes of his birthplace and represents the true essence of the man. Ronaldo has revealed that it is his secret weapon, and the cologne gives him confidence. There you have it, folks — all of that in one small bottle.
CR7 Museum
Ronaldo has a museum dedicated to him. Museu CR7 is in Madeira, Portugal features a bronze statue and a few more life-like mannequins. The museum was his brother Hugo’s idea.
Hugo suggested it as a place for all his trophies to be displayed. Why not? There are a lot of them, and it beats having them scattered around. A plaque near the bronze statue says “Melhor Jogador Do Mundo,” which means “Best Player in the World.”
Haters Gonna Hate
Need it to be said that Ronaldo is an incredibly accomplished athlete? Still, there’ll always be haters. Ronaldo has been accused of being a bit stubborn. He admits to not being the most humble person in the world. He has also said that negative comments only make him want to push to become a better player.
That being said, Ronaldo admits that he wouldn’t be where he is today if it weren’t for those around him.
Yellow Card
During the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, in a match against Ivory Coast, Ronaldo was tackled by an opposing player. An argument developed, and both players received yellow cards. Portugal requested the yellow card to be withdrawn the following day.
They claimed that Ronaldo was drawn into the argument. FIFA stuck to their guns on this one, and the yellow card stayed in place. As you can imagine, our star player was not a fan of this decision.
5G Jump
Footballers are known for their agility, speed, and flexibility. They are also known for their jumping ability. Jump power is measured in G-Force. Ronaldo’s jump force measures in at an incredible 5G! It has also been reported that Ronaldo can jump higher than most NBA basketball players.
His incredible jump power probably points to natural ability, but there is a lot to be said about his rigorous training, which is a significant contributor.
Kicks Like a Mule
It is hard to say precisely how fast the ball travels when it leaves his boot, but it's safe to say it's an almost inhumane speed! In a Documentary called Ronaldo, the star kicked a ball through three panes of glass.
One of the scientists on set said, “80mph of unadulterated speed”. This is fast even for a car. Watch out, critics — you wouldn't want to find yourself on the wrong side of his boot!
Saving the Trees
Cristiano Ronaldo has a huge heart. In 2013 he decided to do his bit to save the mangrove forests of Indonesia. He is now the ambassador for The Mangrove Care Forum. This organization is based in Bali and is working tirelessly to conserve the Indonesian Mangrove forests.
Ronaldo hopes that his actions will “inspire the movement to rescue the mangroves and help improve the environment.” Good on you, Ronaldo, you are an inspiration in and out of the field.
Ronaldo and Messi — Teammates
Wait, what? Yes. This was back in 2012 when the two teamed up during the 11 for a health initiative, which helps improve kids’ views toward disease. FIFA gathered eleven of the best footballers and convinced the two rivals, Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, to play on the same team.
This may be the first and the last time we see these two on the same team, but it was truly shocking and enjoyable for fans.
Ronaldo and Food
Ronaldo loves to eat! But as an athlete, he has to stay lean and ultra-fit. It is reported that he loves fish, especially when cooked the Portuguese way. Ronaldo’s favorite fish include sea bream and swordfish.
He opts for a high protein diet with a heap of fruit, veg, and whole-grain carbs. And as you’d expect, he stays away from sugary treats. When it comes to his favorite dish — it’s bacalhau a braz: a fish dish with onions, potatoes, and scrambled egg. Sound good?
Crashing a Ferrari!
And of course, it wasn’t any old car, it had to be a Ferrari! Ronaldo was on his way to a training session when the accident happened in 2009. The car crashed inside a tunnel, and the entire front end of the supercar was destroyed.
Luckily Ronaldo came out uninjured, and no other cars were involved. He is so chill that he took part in the training session right after this frightening experience.
Heads Up App
In 2011 Ronaldo released a game for iPhone called “Heads UP with Cristiano.” The development firm was previously involved with games such as Chad Ochocinco’s Mad Chad and Tyson’s Main Event. Heads Up was a fast-paced and addictive game.
The game involves using an avatar of the superstar to launch colorful footballs at other balls. Groups of colored balls disappear as the game progresses. Pretty exciting stuff! It's only a matter of time till he will take over each and every industry.
Tested to the Limit
The show Tested to the Limit aimed to demonstrate to viewers what makes this champ one of the best football players of his generation. The tests were created to assess Ronaldo's agility, skills, strength, and mental toughness.
And the tests really did push Ronaldo to his limit. Ronaldo was almost at the brink of exhaustion during some tests. It stands as one of the most scientific and intense examinations of a footballer ever created.
Ronaldo Under Construction
In 2019, Ronaldo's doppelganger was attracting worldwide attention. Biwar Abdullah, a former construction worker, is from Iraq and is the spitting image of the Portuguese footballer. Abdullah had come to the U.K. searching for a better life. He was spotted on a construction site by a shop owner named Shane Douglas.
Douglas and the laborer have teamed up and plan to market Abdullah as a Ronaldo lookalike to appear at events and parties. Could you imagine being so famous that you provide jobs for lookalikes?
Expensive Legs
Real Madrid was sure that Ronaldo’s legs were insured after a knee injury in 2013. Many celebrities, not just athletes, insure their body parts. Ronaldo had to be substituted for the first half of the Euro Final because of this injury.
How much do you insure legs for? Well, for one of the best footballers in the world, you’d expect it to be a few million, right? Try £90 million! Now that is an expensive pair of legs!
Ronaldo International Airport
As we know, Ronaldo never forgets his roots and where he came from. Now he has a constant reminder of his origins. In 2016 the Madeira Airport was renamed Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport in his honor. Now Ronaldo has joined the likes of John F. Kennedy, Louis Armstong, and Lennon, who all have airports named after them.
He has a museum named after him, a line of boutique fashion stores, and now an airport!. What’s next?
A Total Bust
To commemorate the renaming of Madeira international Airport, a bust of Ronaldo’s supposed likeness was unveiled. Let’s just say that the bust was not the greatest. Actually, it was hilarious and very unlike the dashing Ronaldo.
Images of the bust went viral, and at the time, it seemed as if the entire world was laughing. Thankfully, the amateur sculptor got a second chance to redeem himself and the second bust was far better.
Ronaldo’s Soundtrack
What music does one of the world’s greatest footballers listen to? Ronaldo’s broad taste in music includes reggaeton and Latin. But one of his favorite songs ever is none other than “Livin’ La Vida Loca.” He has been quoted as saying that he loves Ricky Martin's music.
Another banger that Ronaldo loves to blast is R. Kelly’s “I Believe I Can Fly.” Who knows, these anthems may be the secret to why Ronaldo is so motivated.
Top Goal-Scorer
So how many goals has this football superstar scored internationally? In 2021, Ronaldo scored an incredible brace playing Ireland at Estadio Algarve, Portugal, during the World Cup Qualifiers. This earned him the Top International Goal-Scorer in the history of football.
He was also featured in the Guinness Book of Records for this achievement. Ronaldo has over 800 Fifa goals. He currently holds the title of the player with the most goals in the history of the game.
Ronaldo's in Hospitality
Is there a business Ronaldo can't be found in? He’s also in the hotel business. After teaming up with Portuguese tourism and leisure company Pestana, he established four Pestana CR7 Hotels. One of which is in the Portuguese Capital in Lisbon and another in Funchal, Madeira — his hometown.
Guests of the Madeira hotel can visit the CR7 museum free of charge. Ronaldo opened another hotel in Madrid and another in New York Times Square. Pretty cool, right?
Ronaldo and Arsenal
Two clubs followed Ronaldo very closely. One was, of course, Manchester United. They would sign him, and that would be that. But there was another team that had their eye on him — Arsenal! They sadly lost their chance to sign the champ.
Ronaldo confirmed the rumors in an interview with Piers Morgan. He said that he was very close to wearing an Arsenal jersey. He also said that he has a lot of respect for Arsene Wenger.
First Portuguese Red Devil
Yep, that’s right. When Ronaldo signed with Manchester United in 2003, he became the first Portuguese player to join the Red Devils. This was when he received the number 7 jersey, which had previously been worn by Eric Cantona, George Best, and David Beckham.
Ronaldo was only a teenager when he joined Man United, who forked out £12 million for Ronaldo. Later Luis Nani, Bebe Tiago, Joel Pereira would follow suit.
Super-Duper Yacht
What’s a billionaire without a yacht? We saw this coming — the football star celebrated his second Serie A title by splurging on a superyacht! The price tag? $7 million! Ronaldo selected a 27-meter boat.
It features five cabins, six bathrooms, a large kitchen, and two living areas. Images of his family enjoying the luxury yacht while off the coast of Celle Ligure were seen all over Instagram. What a life!
Ronaldo’s Nap Time
From power naps to caffeine naps, we’ve all heard how naps are good for recharging our batteries. It has been reported that Ronaldo enjoys having up to five naps per day. On top of this, he also makes sure to get his nine hours of sleep every night. It is a wonder he has time for anything else in his life! When he isn’t napping, he’s training exceptionally hard.
Gym, swimming, pilates and, of course, football training. Who wouldn’t need a nap after all that?
Bingo Baby
When Ronaldo isn’t training, napping, eating, and playing football, he’s playing bingo. He’s been quoted saying, “Playing bingo can be very exciting.”
Waiting for ages to hear your number might seem tedious to most people, but this superstar gets a kick out of it. Ronaldo is not alone. Sharon Osbourne, Mick Jagger, and Russell Crow are just a few celebs that enjoy this game of numbers and intrigue.
Forever 23
In February 2021, Ronaldo turned 36. With the average retirement age for footballers being 35, you’d think that he'd be considering hanging up his boots sometime soon. But no — he doesn’t show any signs of slowing down.
In fact, Ronaldo has claimed that he can continue playing football until he’s 41 and that his biological age is 23! If this is true, he’s at the peak of his abilities, so why stop now?
Island Life
Football legend Ronaldo is one of the highest-paid athletes in the world. After buying Madeira Island, he and his family have been enjoying themselves in the luxury villa and exploring the island's rocky areas.
Ronaldo is used to island life since he was born and grew up on an island. In fact, some sources tell us it was the same island that he now owns, but we cannot confirm.
More Followers Than You Could Imagine
Since its conception, millions of people all over the world have posted photos and videos to Instagram. Admit it: it can be quite addicting to scroll through people’s posts, especially when you’re given a unique peek into the private lives of celebrities.
Ronaldo holds the top spot with over 400 million followers. That’s about twice the population of Brazil! The football genius enjoys posting shirtless photos, showing his kids wearing cute Santa costumes, and showing the perks of a football celeb, like using a private plane.
He Donates Blood
Not only does Cristiano Ronaldo have the body of a god and the eternal worship of more people than he can count, but he also donates blood often and is involved in charity work. Charity work is pretty standard when it comes to celebrities, but not many go as far as giving their own blood, definitely not more than once.
If that doesn't make you want to put up his poster in your room, you might want to rethink some of your life choices.
He Makes Over $100 Million a Year
A face known around most of the world, Cristiano Ronaldo is, perhaps, the best football player in the league. Ronaldo makes a huge salary in addition to his high-profile endorsements.
In 2019 alone, he made $109 million and is known to be a collector of luxury cars, and lives in a $6.2 million dollar home. One of his most unusual splurges was a wax statue of himself which cost $30,000.
The Ronaldo Chop
The Ronaldo Chop by none other than Cristiano Ronaldo is one of his most famous signature moves. The Portuguese player is captain of the Portuguese national team and is one of the biggest players in the game. His trick involves facing an opponent and attacking him at pace, using the inside of his foot to steer the ball inside the standing leg.
This takes the ball in a completely different direction leaving the opponent stunned.