11 Amazing Facts About Cristiano Ronaldo

Fact 1: In 2003, he could’ve been signed by Juventus instead of Manchester United

In the summer of 2003, as is known, Cristiano Ronaldo moved from Sporting Lisbon to Manchester United. However, very few people know that, instead of the Foggy Albion, the Portuguese man could’ve been sent to the Apennines, more specifically in Turin. The bosses of Sporting and Juventus had already discussed the conditions of the transfer, according to which the forward of the black-and-whites Marcelo Salas had to leave for Portugal with a cash surcharge. Young Cristiano managed even to pass a physical examination and started packing his luggage when the news came from Turin that the Chilean changed his mind at the last moment and would not leave for Sporting. The deal fell through and, a couple of weeks later, Cristiano Ronaldo became a player for MU.

Fact 2: He received his name in honor of the U.S. President Ronald Reagan

The full name of our hero is Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro. His second name was given in honor of Ronald Reagan, the incumbent president of the US of those times. This strange choice is due to the fact that the father of the future football star was a fan of the acting talent of Reagan, who, as is known, before the beginning of his brilliant career in politics, was one of the most famous people in Hollywood.

Fact 3: He has four siblings

Cristiano is the youngest child in the family of Maria Dolores dos Santos Aveiro and José Dinis Aveiro. Their first child, born in 1974, was Elma (she currently works in Cristiano’s franchise CR7), and, a year later, Hugo was born, who, as a young man, was carried away by drugs, and it was only thanks to the money from his younger brother that he managed to be cured of his dangerous passion. And, in 1976, Katia was born – she is a well-known singer in Portugal under the moniker of Ronald.

Fact 4: He has no tattoos

Everyone knows that Cristiano Ronaldo is very attentive to his appearance. There is an opinion that says he spends even more time on his image than football. So it's amazing that there is not a single tattoo on his body. However, there is an explanation for this – Cristiano is an active blood donor. In 2008, he even became the face of a Red Cross campaign and starred in social ads saying: "I don't have tattoos because I donate blood."

Fact 5: Cristiano is Manchester United’s first Portuguese player

At the turn of the century, Portuguese players became some of the most popular in Europe. However, it is curious that Manchester United hadn’t had any before the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo. A little later, Nani wore MU’s colors. In 2010, there was also a very promising but, sadly, never entrenched figure, Bebe.

Fact 6: He underwent heart surgery as a youth player

For such a brilliant career, Cristiano should thank not only his talent and hard work, but also the medical staff of Sporting. At the age of 15, young Cristiano had tachycardia (an accelerated rhythm of the heart). With such a diagnosis, it's impossible to even dream about a professional career. However, the efficiency and professionalism of the club's medical staff allowed Cristiano not only to forget about heart problems, but also become what he is now.

It is interesting that the whole process of "operation – recovery" took a very short time. The operation on the heart was carried out with the help of laser surgery and, on the third day, Cristiano was already back in training with the general group of Sporting players.

Fact 7: He is a jubilee member

Fans in Portugal play a more important role than regular fans who buy tickets every two weeks and support their team at matches. They are not only fans of their club, but also a kind of partner, as they own a certain percentage of the club. At the same time, becoming a member of the club is not so simple.

In 2013, the management of Sporting estimated that there are almost 10 000 members of the club and decided to give a symbolic ticket under this number to Cristiano Ronaldo, who spent more than five years there. Cristiano, from the bottom of his heart, thanked the club bosses and called this moment "one of the most touching in life." But he actually forgot to add that, in his childhood, he rooted for the other Lisbon club – Benfica.

Fact 8: He broke a fan’s nose and gave him his shirt

During the 2009/10 Spanish championship match between Real and Getafe, Cristiano broke a Madrid fan's nose. Knocking the ball from his opponent, the Portuguese player accidentally landed it in the face of a fan sitting in the front row. The directors of Spanish TV showed the smashed face of a respectable man no less often than the replays of Ronaldo’s goals, who scored a hat trick that day. The club’s medical staff immediately rushed to the stands and provided first aid to the victim. And, after the match, Cristiano himself approached the fan and gifted him his jersey.

Fact 9: He would have been an incredible basketball player as well

In 2011, scientists at the University of Chichester asked Cristiano Ronaldo to participate in their biomechanical experiments. The results of this test amazed everyone: it turns out that Cristiano jumps up to 44 cm from a standing start and up to 78 with a running start, which is seven centimeters above the average of NBA players!

Fact 10: He threw a chair at his teacher

In 1997, Cristiano Ronaldo moved from his native island of Madeira to Lisbon, where he was to continue his football education at the Sporting Academy. At the same time, nobody can cancel regular school. However, he did not possess any abilities or craving for knowledge, but he could stand for himself not only on the football field, but also in school. And when his teacher once again allowed herself to laugh at his Madeira accent, he threw the first thing under his arm – a chair – at her.

Fact 11: He is quite a fan of the ladies

From his first day in big football, Cristiano Ronaldo began to gain fame not only from female, but also male fans. However, after the Dutch gay magazine Gay Krant named the Portuguese man the sexiest player of Euro 2004, the yellow journalists immediately started to spread rumors about his non-traditional sexual orientation. But the tabloids did not manage to inflate the scandal – as soon as possible, Cristiano got himself into another story: two girls immediately accused him of rape. The suit was never filed and the charges were quickly dropped, but it became obvious to everyone that Cristiano is straight.