Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo was born in Madeira, Portugal, the 5 of February 1985. He joined Manchester United the 12 of August 2003 and his first debut was the 16 of August 2003 versus Bolton.

Sir Alex Ferguson manager of United was persuaded to sign him by his players on the plane home from a pre-season friendly against Sporting during the summer. With the departure of David Beckham to Real Madrid, United was searching in the market for a right-side midfielder. Ronaldo signed a contract for 12.24 million pounds.

"After I joined, the manager asked me what number I'd like. I said 28. But Ferguson said 'no, you're going to have No. 7' and the famous shirt was an extra source of motivation. I was forced to live up to such an honour". The number 7 shirt had belonged to some of the greatest Manchester United legends, such as George Best, Bryan Robson, Eric Cantona and David Beckham.

In his first debut he wanted to show the team and the fans his skills with the ball; he wasted 30 minutes doing this against Bottom at Old Trafford in August 2003, the Red Devils won 4-0 that day. During his first season in Man UD , he had 39 appearances and scored eight goals; he earned the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year for the 2003/2004. His second season never lived up to his first. In 2004/2005 season he played 50 times and scored nine goals.

“I am very grateful to this football club. They have helped me a lot since I came here and hopefully I can become a big part of Manchester United history” said Ronaldo.

The 2006 FIFA World Cup finals in Germany, was a truely defining moment for Ronaldo. After the expulsion of fellow team member Wayne Rooney for stamping Carvalho in the Quarter Finals between England and Portugal; there were speculations in the English media that Ronaldo had influence in Rooney´s red card by complaining aggressively to the referee. Not only the media but the English and Man UD fans made an e-mail campaign against him. The campaign affected Renaldo’s reputation and also his nomination to Best Young Player Award for the FIFA World Cup.

This made Ronaldo think of transferring to Real Madrid, he even told the press "I should get out of Manchester as the circumstances are not right to keep playing there."Sir Alex Ferguson sent his assistant manager Carlos Queiroz to speak with Ronaldo in Portugal, hoping to change the young player mind. Rooney pleaded Ronaldo to stay in the team. After a couple of months Ronaldo signed a five-year, £120,000-a-week deal with United, making him the highest-paid player in United's history. He said, "I am very happy at the club and I want to win trophies and hopefully we will do that this season".

His form in the 2006/2007 season brought Ronaldo 14 individual awards. His performance earned him third place in the 2007 FIFA World Player of the Year. In the 2007/2008 Ronaldo continues to improve himself as a player, the winger scored his first United hat-trick and his 50 league goal for the club in a 6-0 romp over Newcastle United.