Cristiano Ronaldo had dreams of becoming a big-time soccer star — and those dreams have certainly come true! Take a look back at the legendary athlete and father of five’s transformation over the years.
Cristiano Ronaldo is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time. Born on Feb. 5, 1985, in Madeira, Portugal, he began playing football as a child and joined Sporting CP as a teenager. His talent quickly caught international attention, and in 2003 he signed with Manchester United, where he helped the club win multiple Premier League titles and his first Ballon d’Or.
After six years in England, Ronaldo transferred to Real Madrid in 2009, becoming the club’s all-time leading scorer and winning four UEFA Champions League titles. He later moved to Juventus before returning to Manchester United in 2021. In December 2022 he began a new chapter with Al Nassr, where he continues to play in the Saudi Pro League. As of early 2026, Ronaldo has scored more than 960 senior career goals, making him the leading scorer in men’s football history and the all-time top scorer in UEFA Champions League competition. He also remains Portugal’s all-time leading scorer and one of the most capped players in international football.
Off the pitch, Ronaldo is a proud father of five children: Cristiano Jr., twins Eva and Mateo, and daughters Alana Martina and Bella Esmeralda. He and Georgina Rodríguez — whom he has been with since 2016 — became engaged in August 2025 after more than eight years together.
To see photos of Cristiano’s remarkable transformation from over the years, click through the gallery.
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Cristiano Ronaldo Through the Years
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Cristiano Ronaldo is a legend in the sports world.
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Cristiano Ronaldo on Portugal’s national team
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Cristiano Ronaldo is pictured chatting with teammate Helder Postiga before their friendly soccer match with Kazakhstan in Chaves, Portugal. Cristiano was 18 at the time, and it was his first game with Portuga’s national team.
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Cristiano Ronaldo at practice
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Cristiano Ronaldo smiles while laying on the ground during the Portugese soccer team training on February 16, 2004 at the Nacional Stadium in Lisbon. The practice took place ahead of the team’s match against England.
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Cristiano Ronaldo scores at the Euro 2004 semifinals
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Cristiano Ronaldo goes shirtless while celebrating his goal during the Euro 2004 semifinal match against Netherlands at the Jose Alvalade stadium in Lisbon, Portugal. Cristiano and his team won the match, 2-1.
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Cristiano Ronaldo plays in a 2005 match
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Cristiano Ronald plays in a soccer match against Beijing on July 25, 2005. Cristiano looked super focused as he kicked the ball down the field.
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Cristiano Ronaldo at an awards ceremony
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Cristiano Ronaldo attends the FIFPRO World XI Player Awards in London on Sept. 19, 2005. He dressed up for the occassion in a black and white suit.
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Cristiano Ronaldo at the Nike Joga Bonito Movement Event
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Cristiano Ronaldo shows off his big smile and gives a thumbs up at the Nike Joga Bonito Movement Event at Truman Brewery in London on Feb. 7, 2006. Cristiano dressed in a gray jacket, striped shirt and denim jeans.
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Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates a win against Manchester City
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Cristiano Ronaldo goes shirtless while celebrating his team’s victory against Manchester City in the English Premiership on May 5, 2007. Cristiano’s abs were on full display during the celebration!
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Cristiano Ronaldo joins Real Madrid
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Cristiano Ronaldo gives a thumbs-up after undergoing a medical test before signing his contract with Real Madrid in Spain on July 6, 2009. Cristiano joined Spain’s team after playing with Manchester for 6 years.
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Cristiano Ronaldo plays with Real Madrid
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Cristiano Ronaldo plays with Real Madrid against Real Murcia in the Copa del Rey Football Match in Spain on Oct. 26, 2010. Cristiano sported the team’s all-black uniform in the shot.
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Cristiano Ronaldo with his trophies at the Globe Soccer Awards Ceremony
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Cristiano Ronaldo poses with his trophies he won at the Globe Soccer Awards Ceremony held in Dubai on December 28, 2011. Cristiano looked so proud to hold the winnings he had worked so hard for.
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Cristiano Ronaldo wins Best Ibero American Player Award
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Cristiano Ronaldo is honored during the Spanish National Sport Awards 2012 at El Pardo Palace in Madrid, Spain on Dec. 5, 2012. Cristiano was awarded with the Best Ibero American Player Award of 2012 at the ceremony.
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Cristiano Ronaldo with his son Cristiano Jr.
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Cristiano Ronaldo is joined by his son Cristiano Jr while receiving the Fifa Ballon D’or World Player of the Year 2014 Award at the Fifa Ballon D’or 2014 Gala in Zurich, Switzerland in January 2015. The father-son duo looked so cute together on the stage — though Cristiano Jr. was a little shy!
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Cristiano Ronaldo plays against Sporting Gijon
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Cristiano Ronaldo is pictured at the Spanish Primera Division Soccer Match Between Real Madrid and Sporting Gijon at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid, Spain on November 26, 2016. Cristiano looked super sexy as he stood with his hands on his hips in his white uniform.
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Cristiano Ronaldo at CR7 Crunch Fitness
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Cristiano Ronaldo poses at a photocall for CR7 Crunch Fitness in Madrid, Spain on March 13, 2017. Cristiano wore a white short, blue shorts, socks and sneakers that were all from Nike.
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Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates with Juventus
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Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates his win with Juventus against Manchester United at Juventus Stadium in Turin, Italy on Nov. 7, 2018. Cristiano started playing with Juventus that year.
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Cristiano Ronaldo on vacation in St. Tropez
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Cristiano Ronaldo looks super sexy on a boat in St. Tropez, France on June 24, 2019. Cristiano went shirtless and wore a short red bathings uit while hanging out on the boat.
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Cristiano Ronaldo plays with Juventus
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Cristiano Ronaldo is pictured during a warm up in his match with Juventus against Udinese Calcio in Udine, Italy on August 22, 2021. Just days later, Cristiano officially rejoined Manchester United after three years with Juventus.
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