Cristiano Ronaldo has been an institution in Manchester United since the year 2003. It is important to talk about the life and times of Ronaldo in order to appreciate him. At the same time, it is important to know that Ronaldo has been praised and vilified by the Manchester United team depending on the success or failure of the club.

Cristiano Ronaldo was born Cristiano Ronaldo Dos Santos Aveiro in Funchal, Portugal on the 5th of February 1985. He started in football [soccer] almost immediately after he began to walk and talk. In 1993, he joined the CF Andorinha and remained with the club until 1995. In 1995, Ronaldo signed with CD Nacional before being acquired by Sporting CP. From 1997 to 2003, he was a member of the Junior and Senior Division of Sporting CP. During his period with Sporting CP, he scored three goals in twenty five appearances.

Liverpool came close to acquiring Cristiano Ronaldo but the manager Gerard Houllier did not want to sign him. The reason for the refusal by Mr. Housier was that Ronaldo was «under age and had to develop his skills». What Liverpool did not know was that they made a mistake with a capital M. The mistake with the capital M became a benefit for Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester United.

The year was 2003 with Manchester United playing against Sporting CP for the innauguration of the Estadio Jose Alvalade. Ronaldo was instrumental in the victory of Sporting CP against Manchester United. Sir Alex Ferguson was impressed and signed Ronaldo after receiving suggestions from the players of United. Cristiano Ronadlo was assigned the number 7 and he decided to «live up to the honour of the shirt». If only Pele could have heard the words of Ronaldo.

During his time in Manchester United, Ronaldo defeated the Bolton Wanderers and scored the 1000th goal of Manchester United during the 2005-2006 Premier League Season. Ronaldo received awards such as the Barclays Player of the Month, Bravo Award, Barclays Golden Boot, UEFA Club Forward of the Year, UEFA Club Footballer of the Year, PFA Premier League Player of the Year, Portuguese Footballer of the Year, European Golden Shoe, Barclays Merit Award, and FIFPro World Player of the Year. Cristiano Ronaldo has turned down offers from Real Madrid in order to remain in Manchester.

His time in Manchester United has had its share of controversy such as being accused of diving during games. Ronaldo received a red card for headbutting Richard Hughes of Portsmouth FC. Ronaldo received a three game suspension for the headbutt and stated that he «learned from» his mistakes. He has managed to score 72 goals in 170 appearances.

Cristiano Ronaldo has also played for the Portuguese National Team since 2003 with 21 goals within 59 appearances and was instrumental in Portugal’s victory against Iran in the 2006 World Cup. He also participarted in the 2008 Euro Cup with Portugal defeating Azerbaijan, Belgium, Kazakhstan, and Poland before losing to Armenia and the Czech Republic.

In addition to his sporting activities, Cristiano Ronaldo has received the Order of Infante Don Henrique and the Order of the Immaculate Conception of Vila Vicosa of the House of Braganza for his humanitarian work. At the present time, he decided to stay in Manchester United for another year after rejecting a recent offer from Real Madrid.

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