Cristiano Ronaldo : the true story of the greatest footballer on Earth

Cristiano Ronaldo was born in Madeira in 1985 and his passion for soccer began when he was just three years old. His favorite boyhood team was SL Benfica even though he was to later play for their arch rivals, Sporting. By the age of 10 Ronaldo's reputation was growing in Portugal. He had been competing in an amateur team for two years but now two of Madeira's top clubs, CS Maritimo and CD Nacional, were interested in signing him—he signed with the latter for an undisclosed sum. Ronaldo's performances at the UEFA Under 17 Championship was to catapult him into the global arena where he was spotted by former Liverpool F.C manager, Gerard Houllier. At only 16 Liverpool decided he was too young and needed more time to develop into a top soccer player. Two years later he was to catch the eye of Sir Alex Ferguson when Sporting beat Manchester United 3-1. Ronaldo was signed for a fee of GBP 12.24 million. Ronaldo was handed the number 7 shirt on his arrival at Manchester United, a shirt number that has belonged to some of the greatest Manchester United Legends like George Best, Bryan Robson, Erin Cantina, and David Beckham. But Cristiano Ronaldo has unquestionably lived up the expectations of the number 7 shirt and has become one of the world's greatest players of all time.

already A Star At The Youth Level On His Home Island Of Madeira And Earning A Big Move To Sporting Lisbon At Just 12, Cristiano Ronaldo Left A Small Town For A Big City And Was Forced To Adapt To A Completely Different Life, Miles Away From His Family. his Spirit And Natural Flair Took Him Into The Sporting First Team, Attracting The interest Of manchester United, Who Bought him In The Summer Of 2003. this Is The Story Of A Player Who attracted Praise And Criticism Alike From Soccer Fans Of All Stripes Yet Won over The United Fans With His Array Of Tricks. His Dealings With The Glare Of The Media As Well As His Controversial Role In The 2006 World Cup Rooney Incident Are Covered Here, As Well As His Role In Inspiring United To The Premiership Title And His Pfa Player Of The Year And Pfa Young Player Of The Year Double Honor. Love Him Or Hate Him, This Is The Story Of A Player Who Always Provokes A Reaction.

Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the most exciting footballers of his generation. Starring at youth level on his home island of Maderia, his spirit and natural flair took him into the Sporting Lisbon first team, attracting the interest of Manchester United, who bought him in the summer of 2003. His dazzling footwork, showmanship and eye for goal not only inspired United to two Premiership titles, but he was United's only player to score in normal time in the 2008 Champions League final, which the Reds won to put the finishing touches to a remarkable double-winning season. His incredible top-scoring season was further rewarded by becoming the FIFA World Player of the Year - and the first player based in the UK to win the award. Already a star at the youth level on his home island of Madeira and earning a big move to Sporting Lisbon at just 12, Cristiano Ronaldo left a small town for a big city and was forced to adapt to a completely different life, miles away from his family. His spirit and natural flair took him into the Sporting first team, attracting the interest of Manchester United, who bought him in the summer of 2003. This is the story of a player who attracted praise and criticism alike from soccer fans of all stripes yet won over the United fans with his array of tricks. His dealings with the glare of the me Hailed in many quarters as the world's best footballer, and a man who always provokes a reaction, this book tells the incredible story of a player at the peak of his game.