You know the name. You see the goals. The famous celebration.
He is Cristiano Ronaldo.
To many, he is just the famous footballer with the perfect body and fast cars. But his story starts in a small house with a big dream and not enough money for food.
How did a poor boy from a tiny island become one of the greatest athletes in history? What is his real biography?
Let's talk about the man behind the fame. His hard childhood. His unbelievable career. And yes, we will also talk about his personal life, including his longtime partner, Georgina Rodríguez.
This is the true story of Cristiano Ronaldo.
A Hard Start: Ronaldo’s Childhood Struggles
Cristiano was not born a star. He was born in 1985 on the small island of Madeira, Portugal. His family was very poor.
His father worked as a gardener. His mother was a cook. They did not have much. Sometimes, they did not have enough to eat.
Young Cristiano loved football more than anything. He played in the streets with old, broken balls. He skipped school to practice. Other kids made fun of his accent when he moved to the city for training.
When he was just 15 years old, he faced a huge medical problem. Doctors said his heart beat too fast. They said he might never play football again. He had surgery. It worked. He fought back.
This difficult start made him strong. It gave him a fire. A need to win. To be the best. To give his family a better life.
The Football Career: From Local Boy to Global Superstar
Ronaldo’s career is a story of constant hard work. Let's break it down simply.
1. The Beginning in Portugal (Sporting CP)
At age 12, he left his home and family to train at a football academy in Lisbon. He was homesick and cried every night. But he practiced harder than anyone. By 16, he was playing for the professional team, Sporting CP. He was fast and skilled. Big teams in England saw him.
2. Becoming a Star at Manchester United
In 2003, the famous English club Manchester United bought him. He was only 18. The first years were tough. People said he dribbled too much. He fell down too easily. But he listened to his coach. He lifted weights. He practiced free kicks for hours after training.
He became the best player in the world there. He won his first big award, the Ballon d'Or, in 2008.
3. The Galáctico at Real Madrid
In 2009, he moved to Real Madrid for a world-record price. The pressure was huge. He had to be perfect. And he was. For nine years, he broke almost every record. He became the top scorer in the history of Real Madrid and the Champions League. He won four more Ballon d'Or awards there.
4. Later Career: Juventus, Manchester United Return, & Al-Nassr
He played in Italy for Juventus and returned to Manchester United. Now, he plays in Saudi Arabia for Al-Nassr. Even at 39 years old, his dedication is famous. He trains harder than young players. He eats only healthy food. He sleeps perfectly. Football is his life.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Personal Life & Family
Ronaldo’s life off the field is also full of love and big changes.
For many years, he was very private about his relationships. He had a son, Cristiano Jr., in 2010 and did not tell the public who the mother was. He said he would tell his son the truth one day in private.
Later, he had twins, Eva and Mateo, with a surrogate mother.
Then, his personal life became more public and stable when he met Georgina Rodríguez.
Cristiano Ronaldo Girlfriend: Georgina Rodríguez
He met Georgina Rodríguez in 2016 in Madrid. She was not famous at the time. She was working in a boutique.

Their relationship is different from his past ones. It is strong and public. They have two daughters together: Bella Esmeralda (born 2017) and Alana Martina (born 2017). Sadly, they lost their son during birth in 2022, a very public pain.
Georgina is now a central part of his life. She is often seen at his games with their children. She brings a sense of normal family life to his superstar world. Together, they show a picture of a close, loving family, which is very important to Ronaldo.
The Secret to His Success: Mindset Over Talent
Many players have talent. What makes Ronaldo different?
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Discipline: He does not drink alcohol. He does not eat sugar or junk food. His body is like a machine built for football.
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Work Ethic: He is often the first to arrive for training and the last to leave. He believes talent is nothing without practice.
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Winner’s Mind: He hates to lose. Even in training games. This fire pushes him and his teammates.
He once said, "Your love makes me strong. Your hate makes me unstoppable." This shows his mentality. He uses every criticism as fuel.
Cristiano Ronaldo in 2025: The Living Legend
Today, Ronaldo is more than a footballer. He is a global brand. A businessman. An inspiration.
He has his own clothing line, perfume, and gym chain. He is the most-followed person on Instagram. He shows that with enough hard work, you can change your destiny.
He came from a small, poor house. Now, he is a king of football. His story teaches us that no dream is too big.
FAQs: Simple Questions, Straight Answers
Q: How many Ballon d'Or awards does Ronaldo have?
A: He has won the Ballon d'Or 5 times (2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017).
Q: Who is Cristiano Ronaldo's girlfriend?
A: His girlfriend is Georgina Rodríguez. They have been together since 2016 and have two children together.
Q: How many children does Ronaldo have?
A: He has six children: Cristiano Jr. (son), Eva and Mateo (twins), Bella Esmeralda and Alana Martina (with Georgina), and a daughter who was lost during birth.
Q: What is Ronaldo's net worth?
A: His net worth is very high, estimated in the hundreds of millions. He earns from football, brand deals, and his own businesses.
Q: Which clubs did Ronaldo play for?
A: Sporting CP (Portugal), Manchester United (England), Real Madrid (Spain), Juventus (Italy), Manchester United again, and now Al-Nassr (Saudi Arabia).
Q: Why is Ronaldo called CR7?
A: "CR" are the first letters of his name. "7" is his famous shirt number at Manchester United, Real Madrid, and for Portugal. It became his brand name.