Cristiano Ronaldo has become the greatest soccer player of our generation. But it isn’t easy to break records that he has set. For example, scoring 450 goals for Real Madrid in nine seasons playing 438 games for Madrid in that time. Currently has a net worth of $415 million (Hancock E, 2016).
So how did Ronaldo become one of the biggest names in sport?
Ronaldo was born in 1985 in on of the largest cities Portuguese island called Funchal. He has two older sister and one older brother in his family (Hancock E, 2016). He stated playing football at the age of 8 for Andorinaha, then signed for Sporting Lisbon on a $1500 contract and had to move from one side of Progtugal to the other to train to achieve his goal (Hancock E, 2016).
From there he was only discovered of his talents at the age of 17, during the world under 17 championship. Where several different club in Europe noticed his talent was accerlating (Hancock E, 2016). In 2003 at just 18 he represented his national team Portugal.
His mindset was one of the strongest at his age and it got recognised by his trainers in an interview with Sky Sports, Pedro Talinhas, his trainer at Nacional, said: “The word ‘defeat’ never entered his head. Whether it was at training, exercising or playing a prank, he had to come out on top” (Hancock E, 2016).
Then when the one of the biggest clubs in the world coming knocking on the door for you. Manchester United in 2004 for $12.24 (pounds) million making him the most expensive teenager in the English Premier league. His manager at the time Sir Alex Ferguerson said, ‘he was one of the most exciting young players I’ve ever seen’ (Hancock E, 2016).
He rose to his fame from there where he became one of the best players for Manchester United, where he won his first Ballon D’or, First champions League, 4 EPL tittles (Hancock E, 2016).
Then in 2009 he became the most expensive player going to Spanish Giants Real Madrid for $80 Million Euros (Ferris K, 2018).
Since then playing 9 seasons at the Madrid, winning and breaking every record he put his mind to (Ferris K, 2018). Including winning 5 Ballon D’ors, 4 champions leagues, able to score 350 goals in 7 seasons which is incredible statistic (Ferris K, 2018).
Then only in 2018 he transferred to Juventus for $100 million euros, signing the end of his career at Madrid and opening a new path. To where his one his first Serie A tittle (Ferris K, 2018).
Ever since his started his been able to maintain that successful mindset and has been able to make himself the best player in the world (Badenhausen K, 2016). During his career his been able to sign a contract with Nike for a lifetime endorsement worth $1 billion (Badenhausen K, 2016). Where his been able to earn $47 million a year due to his endorsement deals. Which makes him a powerful figure for marketing and sport around the world (Badenhausen K, 2016).
Reference List:
Badenhausen K, 2016,’Why Cristiano Ronaldo’s $1 Billion Nike Deal May Be A Bargain For Sportswear Giant’, Forbes, 2 December, viewed 22 May 2019, https://www.forbes.com/sites/kurtbadenhausen/2016/12/02/cristiano-ronaldos-1-billion-nike-deal-is-a-bargain-for-sportswear-giant/#650f95be5a91
Ferris K, 2018,’Ronaldo signs for Juventus from Real Madrid’, Reuters, 11 July, viewed 22 May 2019, https://www.reuters.com/article/us-soccer-italy-juv/ronaldo-signs-for-juventus-from-real-madrid-idUSKBN1K029Y
Hancock E, 2016,’How Cristiano Ronaldo became the most successful footballer and highest-paid sports star on earth’, Business insider,13 December, viewed 22 May 2019, https://www.businessinsider.com/photos-how-cristiano-ronaldo-became-the-greatest-footballer-on-earth-2016-12/?r=AU&IR=T
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