On February 5th, 1985, a child named Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro was born in Madeira, Portugal. He was the youngest in the family. Even before his arrival in the world, his mother contemplated abortion, which local doctors refused as it was illegal. Born into a lower-class family, his father was an alcoholic, a gardener, and worked part-time at a local club. His mother worked night shifts as a cook in a local restaurant to support the family, and they lived in a small room with his three other siblings. Life was anything but easy for the boy, and he faced many difficulties. He first kicked a ball at the age of 3, not as a prodigy but often teased by teammates and friends with the nickname “CRYBABY,” as he would skip meals and sleep to play football.

At the age of 12, he signed a contract with Sporting CP for £1,500, which saved his local club, “The Nacional,” from bankruptcy. School was never a priority for Cristiano; he left school at 14, but then something worse happened – he was diagnosed with a racing heart condition that could have ended his football career even before it began. He underwent surgery and just a few days later, he was back on the training ground.

He left home early to play for the Sporting CP club. He wasn’t the most talented player, but that never mattered. He always put in extra work to improve. In a pre-season friendly against Manchester United, an 18-year-old Cristiano impressed Sir Alex Ferguson so much that SAF didn’t waste much time in going all out for his signature.

And his journey began at Manchester. He played alongside some greats but never shied away from competing with them.

There’s much more to say, but we know what happened next. He’s often labeled as FINISHED, but that man out there, no matter what happens in his career, how low he’s been, he always comes back stronger.

The legend has inspired an entire generation and continues to be a source of inspiration for generations to come.

To describe his GREATNESS in one word is FAILURE.