Full Name: Cristiano Ronaldo
Birth Date: February 5, 1985
Birth Place: Madeira, Portugal
Height: 1.85m
Weight: 75 kg
Age: 24
Position: Forward
Squad # 7
Birth Date: February 5, 1985
Birth Place: Madeira, Portugal
Height: 1.85m
Weight: 75 kg
Age: 24
Position: Forward
Squad # 7
Cristiano Ronaldo's driving force as he prepares for Manchester United's Champions League final against Barcelona is the prospect of making history. AndrewYates/GettyImages
Ronaldo wants to continue his manager's winning run in Eu
ropean finals.United will become the first club to retain the trophy in the 17-year-old rebrand of the former European Cup if they defeat the Spanish champions in the Stadio Olimpico.
And Ronaldo, who admits his affection for Spanish football, claims that means much more to him than winning the world footballer of the year trophy last season when he beat Barcelona's Lionel Messi into second place.
Ronaldo said: "I like the Spanish league. I feel well in England in the Premier League, it is the strongest league. Barcelona have a great team which deserves respect but I believe we are better than them and we will show it.
"I respect Barcelona profoundly. Messi is playing marvellously well. I want to be sincere. I have to play well tomorrow for the team and the supporters. I look forward to it and I think it will be really special.
"I don't care about the Ballon D'or. What I want more is to win the Champions League. That's it.
"I just want to be the first team in history to win it twice."
Ronaldo has dismissed any fears about playing in white, like the Real Madrid side who were annihilated 6-2 by Barcelona recently.
He also insisted he is happy to carry the burden of the spotlight which constantly surrounds him.
"It's normal that people speak about me but I am 100% focused on this game," he said.
"I try to help my team 100%, score a goal and win the game. That's it."
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson also gave an insight into what makes Ronaldo United's most potent threat and why he constantly conjures up feats such as the 41-yard free-kick screamer which broke Arsenal hearts in the semi-final second leg at the Emirates. Ferguson said: "There's no mystery. He's always out there after the team training has finished, practising his shots. The great players don't rely on their natural ability, they practice to make sure they have that something extra. "In the semi-final against Arsenal I could tell he was going to hit it, from the body shape, even though it was so far out."
Ronaldo wants to continue his manager's winning run in Eu
ropean finals.United will become the first club to retain the trophy in the 17-year-old rebrand of the former European Cup if they defeat the Spanish champions in the Stadio Olimpico.And Ronaldo, who admits his affection for Spanish football, claims that means much more to him than winning the world footballer of the year trophy last season when he beat Barcelona's Lionel Messi into second place.
Ronaldo said: "I like the Spanish league. I feel well in England in the Premier League, it is the strongest league. Barcelona have a great team which deserves respect but I believe we are better than them and we will show it.
"I respect Barcelona profoundly. Messi is playing marvellously well. I want to be sincere. I have to play well tomorrow for the team and the supporters. I look forward to it and I think it will be really special.
"I don't care about the Ballon D'or. What I want more is to win the Champions League. That's it.
"I just want to be the first team in history to win it twice."
Ronaldo has dismissed any fears about playing in white, like the Real Madrid side who were annihilated 6-2 by Barcelona recently.
He also insisted he is happy to carry the burden of the spotlight which constantly surrounds him.
"It's normal that people speak about me but I am 100% focused on this game," he said.
"I try to help my team 100%, score a goal and win the game. That's it."
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson also gave an insight into what makes Ronaldo United's most potent threat and why he constantly conjures up feats such as the 41-yard free-kick screamer which broke Arsenal hearts in the semi-final second leg at the Emirates. Ferguson said: "There's no mystery. He's always out there after the team training has finished, practising his shots. The great players don't rely on their natural ability, they practice to make sure they have that something extra. "In the semi-final against Arsenal I could tell he was going to hit it, from the body shape, even though it was so far out."Manchester United will feel they pulled off one of the moves of the summer in keeping hold of Cristiano Ronaldo. The midfielder felt the time was right to move on after winning the Champions League in May 2008, having achieved all he could in England. The player was desperate for a move to Real Madrid, but despite a continued chase by the Spanish giants Sir Alex Ferguson stood firm on the player's future - and in early August he confirmed he would remain at Old Trafford.
Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro was signed by Manchester United with the cash received from the sale of David Beckham to Real Madrid. And now he has become as big an idol as his predecessor.
After criticism for his over-elaboration, gamesmanship and tendency to disappear in games, it has all come together for the Portuguese star.
Goals, assists and lightning skills make him one of the most desired players in the world.
The right-sided winger wonder is another from the Sporting Lisbon production line, following the likes of Luis Figo and Joao Pinto into a big European move.
Ronaldo's talents had been hailed in his homeland for well over a decade - he was the subject of a transfer at the age at eight in his native island of Madeira.
On August 15, 2001 he was handed his Sporting debut as a 16-year-old against Second Division B side Atletico. His league debut saw him score twice in a 3-0 victory over Moreirense and then hit a late winner in a 2-1 defeat of Boavista.
He was soon to play a starring role for the Portuguese Under-17 side at the European Championships.
His two-footedness and ability to play on either wing or as a support striker made him the ideal candidate for Sir Alex. Sir Alex had been eyeing the player for a year when his hand was forced by interest from other leading European clubs in Real Madrid and Juventus into invoking United's close relationship with Sporting and splashed out £12.24m.
He made his United debut in a 4-0 thrashing of Bolton at Old Trafford. He replaced Nicky Butt just after the hour and produced a mesmerising performance. Three of United's goals came after the young star's introduction.
Ronaldo did struggle at times in the first half of the season as he adapted to life in England, but after the turn of the year really decided to turn on the style and starred in the FA Cup Final win over Millwall. He also dominated the Carling Cup Final of 2006 as Wigan were put to the sword in Cardiff.
His trademark footwork set the Premiership alight, and earned him a place in Portugal's squad for Euro 2004.
He found the back of the net in the semi-final against Holland, although their was heartbreak for the winger when Portugal lost in the final to Greece.
Along with Wayne Rooney, Ronaldo was one of the real stars of Euro 2004 - and he can only get better with age at Old Trafford.
He also starred at Germany 2006, despite a well publicised incident with Rooney which placed his future at United in doubt. But some well chosen words from Sir Alex kept him at United, and the rest is history.
Ronaldo was the dominant player as United won back the Premier League crown in 2006/07 as he finished second top scorer in the league and swept the individual awards board.
But the best was yet to come. In 2007/08 he was unstoppable, netted an unbelievable 42 goals - 31 of them in the Premier League - to secure back-to-back titles. He also scored United's goal in the Champions League final and although he missed in the penalty shootout the Red Devils would still be victorious over Chelsea in Moscow.
Ahead of Euro 2008, Ronaldo batted away questions about his future but it soon became clear he wished to move to the Bernabeu. By keeping hold of Ronaldo it may purely be delaying the inevitable, but Sir Alex can claim a huge moral victory over Real and their transfer market tactics.
He picked up an ankle injury which ruled him out of the start of 2008/09, but returned to aid United's title challenge.
Although he did not have the same impact as the previous season, at the end of the year Ronaldo became Manchester United's first Ballon d'Or recipient since George Best in 1968 and then went on to be named the first Premier League player ever as FIFA World Player of the Year.
Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro was signed by Manchester United with the cash received from the sale of David Beckham to Real Madrid. And now he has become as big an idol as his predecessor.
After criticism for his over-elaboration, gamesmanship and tendency to disappear in games, it has all come together for the Portuguese star.
Goals, assists and lightning skills make him one of the most desired players in the world.
The right-sided winger wonder is another from the Sporting Lisbon production line, following the likes of Luis Figo and Joao Pinto into a big European move.
Ronaldo's talents had been hailed in his homeland for well over a decade - he was the subject of a transfer at the age at eight in his native island of Madeira.
On August 15, 2001 he was handed his Sporting debut as a 16-year-old against Second Division B side Atletico. His league debut saw him score twice in a 3-0 victory over Moreirense and then hit a late winner in a 2-1 defeat of Boavista.
He was soon to play a starring role for the Portuguese Under-17 side at the European Championships.
His two-footedness and ability to play on either wing or as a support striker made him the ideal candidate for Sir Alex. Sir Alex had been eyeing the player for a year when his hand was forced by interest from other leading European clubs in Real Madrid and Juventus into invoking United's close relationship with Sporting and splashed out £12.24m.
He made his United debut in a 4-0 thrashing of Bolton at Old Trafford. He replaced Nicky Butt just after the hour and produced a mesmerising performance. Three of United's goals came after the young star's introduction.
Ronaldo did struggle at times in the first half of the season as he adapted to life in England, but after the turn of the year really decided to turn on the style and starred in the FA Cup Final win over Millwall. He also dominated the Carling Cup Final of 2006 as Wigan were put to the sword in Cardiff.
His trademark footwork set the Premiership alight, and earned him a place in Portugal's squad for Euro 2004.
He found the back of the net in the semi-final against Holland, although their was heartbreak for the winger when Portugal lost in the final to Greece.
Along with Wayne Rooney, Ronaldo was one of the real stars of Euro 2004 - and he can only get better with age at Old Trafford.
He also starred at Germany 2006, despite a well publicised incident with Rooney which placed his future at United in doubt. But some well chosen words from Sir Alex kept him at United, and the rest is history.
Ronaldo was the dominant player as United won back the Premier League crown in 2006/07 as he finished second top scorer in the league and swept the individual awards board.
But the best was yet to come. In 2007/08 he was unstoppable, netted an unbelievable 42 goals - 31 of them in the Premier League - to secure back-to-back titles. He also scored United's goal in the Champions League final and although he missed in the penalty shootout the Red Devils would still be victorious over Chelsea in Moscow.
Ahead of Euro 2008, Ronaldo batted away questions about his future but it soon became clear he wished to move to the Bernabeu. By keeping hold of Ronaldo it may purely be delaying the inevitable, but Sir Alex can claim a huge moral victory over Real and their transfer market tactics.
He picked up an ankle injury which ruled him out of the start of 2008/09, but returned to aid United's title challenge.
Although he did not have the same impact as the previous season, at the end of the year Ronaldo became Manchester United's first Ballon d'Or recipient since George Best in 1968 and then went on to be named the first Premier League player ever as FIFA World Player of the Year.
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