Cristiano Ronaldo: From 2002/03 Season to Now

The Early Years

Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro first burst onto the scene during the 2002/03 season. The then 17-year-old Portuguese winger made his debut for Sporting CP in the Portuguese Primeira Liga, and quickly became a fan favorite. His skill and technique had the football world abuzz, and soon he was being linked to some of the biggest teams in Europe.

The Move to Manchester United

In 2003, Manchester United paid a record fee for the young Ronaldo, and he went on to become a key part of the team’s success over the next six seasons. During his time at Old Trafford, Ronaldo won three Premier League titles, one FA Cup, and one UEFA Champions League title. He was also named the FIFPro Young Player of the Year in 2006 and 2008, and the Ballon d’Or in 2008.

The Move to Real Madrid

In 2009, Ronaldo made the move to Real Madrid, a move that saw him become the most expensive footballer in the world, and he went on to become the club’s all-time leading goalscorer. During his nine years at the Santiago Bernabéu, Ronaldo won four Champions League titles, two La Liga titles, two Copa del Rey titles, and three FIFA Club World Cup titles. He was also named the UEFA Best Player in Europe in 2014, 2016 and 2017.

The Move to Juventus

In 2018, Ronaldo made the move to Juventus, and he has continued to dominate the Italian League. In his first season with the club, he won the Serie A title, and was named the Italian Footballer of the Year. He also scored 28 goals in all competitions, and was named to the 2018/19 UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season.

The Future of Ronaldo

At 36 years of age, Ronaldo still remains one of the best footballers in the world. Despite his age, he continues to put up impressive numbers, and continues to be an invaluable asset to Juventus. With his contract set to expire in 2022, it remains to be seen where he will end up next. Whether it be in Italy, England, or somewhere else, Ronaldo will no doubt continue to be one of the greatest footballers of all time.