Cristiano Ronaldo’s journey reads like a fairy tale, but one forged in grit, hunger, and sheer determination.
Born on 5 February 1985 in the working-class district of Santo Antonio in Funchal, on the Portuguese island of Madeira, Ronaldo came into the world in a cramped tin-roofed house, sharing humble quarters with his three siblings.
Life was hard for his family: his father, Jose, worked as a gardener and kit man while battling alcoholism, and his mother, Maria, cleaned and cooked to make ends meet.
Food was scarce. Ronaldo has recounted how, as a child, he and his team-mates would knock on the back door of a McDonald’s near the stadium, asking if any leftover burgers could be spared.
At just 12, he left Madeira to join Sporting Lisbon’s youth academy—a pivotal moment that marked his escape from poverty.
There, regarded as a prodigy, his talent blossomed quickly. He made his first-team debut at 16 and, not long after, caught the eye of Manchester United, who signed him when he was 18.
Cristiano Ronaldo has had an incredible career, winning five Champions League titles and five Ballon d'Or trophies
| GETTYAt United, Ronaldo’s star burned brightly. Known for his blistering speed, trickery, and insatiable work ethic, he helped the club win three consecutive Premier League titles, a Champions League trophy, and his first Ballon d’Or.
His ambition carried him further: in 2009, he transferred to Real Madrid for a then-record fee (£80million), where he became the club’s all-time top scorer, won four Champions League titles, and collected multiple Ballon d’Or awards.
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Later, Ronaldo played for Juventus in Italy, returned to Manchester United, and in 2023 signed with Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nassr, continuing to defy age and expectations.
By this point, he was already universally recognised as one of football’s greatest ever.
His records speak for themselves: most goals in the Champions League, most appearances and goals for a national team, and countless individual honours.
Cristiano Ronaldo was born into a working-class family and had to beg McDonald's for leftovers
Off the pitch, his empire grew. He launched his CR7 brand—spanning underwear, fragrances, hotels, fitness ventures and secured lifetime and record-breaking deals with major brands like Nike.
Business-savvy and ever-ambitious, he invested in tech, wellness, and real estate.
That ascent, from a hungry kid begging for burgers to a global icon, translated into extraordinary wealth.
Cristiano Ronaldo has gone from struggling in Madeira to becoming the first-ever billionaire footballer
|PA
As of 2025, his net worth is estimated at $1.4billion (£1billion), making him the first footballer ever to be a billionaire, according to Bloomberg’s Billionaires Index.
Today, Ronaldo stands not just as a legend of the game, but as proof that humble beginnings can spark world-changing dreams.
His story is one of perseverance, self-belief, and the unshakeable refusal to accept limits.