5 Interesting Cristiano Ronaldo Facts Fans Should Know

Born on February 5, 1985 in Madeira, Portugal, Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the most popular athletes in the world. He is the most followed person on Instagram with over 446 million followers.

He is also one of the highest-paid athletes in the world. In 2020, Forbes ranked Ronaldo as the world’s second-highest-paid athlete with earnings of $105 million. If you are a fan, or simply a sports enthusiast, here are some cool and interesting facts you should know about this star player.

1) He Is a Billionaire

Cristiano Ronaldo is the world's richest soccer player and the first billionaire soccer player. He has made over $1 billion in his career, and he owns at least 8 homes and a property empire worth over $54 million. He also has a collection of luxury cars, including a limited edition $10.7 million Bugatti Centodieci.

Ronaldo's wealth comes from his successful soccer career, as well as numerous endorsement deals. He is one of the most popular athletes in the world, and his personal brand is worth an estimated $600 million.

2) He Came From the Working Class

Cristiano Ronaldo was not born into a wealthy family. His mother was a cook and his father was a gardener who struggled with alcoholism. His father died in 2005 from liver failure. Ronaldo was born in the Sao Pedro parish of Funchal and is the fourth and youngest child of an impoverished Portuguese family.

Dolores Aveiro, the mother of famed soccer player Ronaldo, details in her book "Mother Courage" how she considered terminating her pregnancy with Ronaldo due to poverty and her husband's issues with alcohol.

3) He Has Scored 800 Goals in His Career

Cristiano Ronaldo is currently the highest-scoring male soccer player in history, with a total of 807 career goals. This record was previously held by Josef Bican, who scored 805 goals between 1931 and 1955.

Lionel Messi is currently in second place with 759 goals, 48 goals behind Ronaldo. However, it is unknown if Messi will be able to catch up to Ronaldo due to the 3-year age difference between the two players. Celebrate Ronaldo's career with a tribute frame to decorate your home with. 

4) He Had Heart Surgery at Age 15

Cristiano Ronaldo had to have heart surgery when he was 15 years old to correct an irregular heartbeat. Cristiano Ronaldo was diagnosed with Tachycardia, which is a rapid heartbeat. He underwent heart surgery when he was 15 years old in order to prevent stroke or heart failure.

According to the sources, the doctors used a laser to burn the tissue that was causing the problem, and he was able to go home the same day.

5) He Has a Lifetime Endorsement with Nike

Nike has given Ronaldo a billion-dollar endorsement deal, making him only the third person to receive this type of deal from the company (after LeBron James and Michael Jordan).

Ronaldo's social media activity generates a lot of value for Nike - over $400 million in 2016 alone. This is because he has a huge following across all platforms.

Conclusion

Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the richest sports celebrities in the world, and he has a huge social media following to match. He's a global icon and has a lifetime endorsement with Nike.

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