Cristiano Ronaldo receives the MARCA Legend award
Cristiano Ronaldo: I also feel sad for having left Real Madrid
In pictures: The MARCA Legend gala for Cristiano Ronaldo
On Monday evening, Cristiano Ronaldo was honored with the prestigious MARCA Legend award, celebrating his extraordinary contributions to the world of football. Widely hailed as one of the greatest players of all time, Ronaldo’s journey is as inspiring as it is unique. Born on the island of Madeira, he joined Sporting CP in 2001, overcoming a serious heart condition that almost ended his career at just 15. Driven by the memory of his late father and an unbreakable will, Ronaldo’s dedication is unmatched. His strict lifestyle — no alcohol, no smoking, intense recovery methods, and a body fat percentage as low as seven to eight percent — has fueled his incredible longevity. A 2018 study revealed that at 34, Ronaldo had the biological age of a 23-year-old, paving the way for him to shine well into his forties. His sacrifices have paid off with staggering numbers: 602 goals and 210 assists across 803 matches since his senior debut at just 17.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s legacy is nothing short of legendary. He stands as the top scorer in Champions League history (127 goals), Real Madrid’s all-time leading marksman (451 goals), and the highest scorer in Club World Cup history (7 goals). He shares the record for most goals in the European Championship (9) with Michel Platini, leads in European qualifying goals (50), and ranks second in international football history (88 goals), just behind Ali Daei’s 109.
Ronaldo’s trophy cabinet shines just as bright: five Ballon d’Or awards (tied with Lionel Messi), four European Golden Boots, seven Champions League top-scorer titles, three LaLiga top-scorer honors, a Premier League Golden Boot, and the Puskás Award in 2009.
His meteoric rise began at Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson, winning three Premier League titles, an FA Cup, two League Cups, a Community Shield, the Champions League, and a Club World Cup. His move to Real Madrid brought even greater glory: two LaLiga titles, two Copa del Reys, two Supercopas de España, four Champions League titles, two UEFA Super Cups, and three Club World Cups.
Ronaldo continued to make history with Juventus, becoming the first player ever to win top-flight league titles in England, Spain, and Italy. He secured Serie A and scored the winner in the Supercoppa Italiana against AC Milan.
On the international stage, he led Portugal to their first major trophy with the 2016 European Championship triumph, and followed it by lifting the UEFA Nations League trophy in 2019. Ronaldo’s journey is a testament to unparalleled ambition, relentless hard work, and undeniable greatness.
