MY ACCOUNT
Cristiano Ronaldo turns 37 today — but the Manchester United and Portugal forward is showing no signs of slowing down.
The frontman made a sensational return to Old Trafford from Juventus in the summer and has hit 14 goals in 24 appearances across all competitions for the Red Devils this season.
As the superstar adds an extra candle to his cake, we take a look back at what has been — and continues to be — an extraordinary career.
Coming up clutch in the Champions League
Of Ronaldo’s 14 club goals this term, six have come from just five Champions League outings.
Among those are a 95th-minute winner against Villarreal, the winning strike to complete a comeback from 2-0 down at home to Atalanta and then both goals — including a stoppage-time equaliser — in the reverse.
The Portuguese has a documented history of coming up with crucial contributions in Europe’s premier club competition and age has clearly not diminished his capacity to produce those moments.
Prolific for Portugal
It is not just at club level that Ronaldo has delivered big goals — Portugal have benefited from his ability to come up trumps on the international stage as well.
The Selecao’s talisman netted twice in a 2-2 draw with then-holders France in the group stage of Euro 2020 and was the tournament’s joint-top scorer alongside Patrik Schick with five goals.
Ronaldo also scored in the 89th and 96th minutes, to fire Portugal to a 2-1 World Cup Qualifying victory over the Republic of Ireland in September.
Whatever the competition, the iconic attacker always seems to have a late goal in him.
Evolving into a centre-forward
As his career has progressed, Ronaldo has evolved from the player who first burst onto the scene with Sporting and United — transforming from a direct winger into a clinical centre-forward.
Speaking in November, the Red Devils’ No7 explained how his game has changed in recent seasons.
He said: “As a player, of course, I changed. I was faster, I dribbled more and now I measure my goals more.
“I save my energy for the right moments in order to kill the game. The experience in the game makes us decide better.
“But inside me, I have the same hunger for titles. I’m still motivated, I still want to learn and win titles — that’s my mentality.”
Record-breaking Ronaldo
Ronaldo’s record of continental and international success is nothing new, of course — and the legendary forward holds plenty of records at club level and for Portugal.
For starters, he has made the most appearances, scored the most goals and registered the most assists in the Champions League.
He is also the all-time top scorer in international football, the most prolific European Championships marksman ever and has the most international appearances of any European player.
The forward ranks 10th in the world for most professional appearances and has scored over 800 career goals.
A teeming trophy cabinet
Ronaldo’s success is not only marked by personal records but with a huge haul of individual and team silverware.
This season represents his 20th campaign as a professional footballer and Ronaldo has a whopping 32 trophies to his name.
They include seven league titles (three in the Premier League, two in LaLiga and two Serie A triumphs), five Champions League trophies and a European Championship.
The Madeira native is also a five-time Ballon d’Or winner and has earned four European Golden Shoe awards.
Do not rule out there being more to come in 2022.
