CRISTIANO RONALDO

Champion, Legend, GOAT

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Purple number 11 inside a purple circle on a white background.

Cristiano Ronaldo wrote a new chapter in his illustrious career by joining Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia in January 2023, becoming the highest-profile transfer to an AFC club in history.

AFC Champion

CR7’s Saudi journey began after terminating his contract with Manchester United, marking the beginning of a new journey towards excellence and making history in Arab stadiums.

Ronaldo served as the catalyst for the influx of global football stars into the Saudi Professional League, as he was followed by many global stars such as Brazil’s Neymar, Algeria’s Riyad Mahrez, Senegal’s Sadio Mane, and France’s Karim Benzema.

No one can match the Portuguese forward’s unwavering passion and ambition and, despite turning 40 in 2025, he dreams of winning more silverware with the Riyadh club.

Considering Cristiano’s overall sporting career, as well as the societal impact he has had on Saudi Arabia, Asia, and the world, he has fully earned his place on the Champions of Progress edition of TREND 11, presented by NEOM, the global partner of the Asian Football Confederation.

Soccer player wearing a red jersey with the number 7, named Ronaldo, viewed from the back on a crowded field.

A Golden Career and an Asian Dream

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The so-called Missile of Madeira had a golden career since rising to prominence in 2003 with Sporting in Lisbon, Portugal. Sporting Lisbon. His move to Manchester United at the age of 18 elevated his renown around the world.

The teenager quickly adapted to the English Premier League and managed to secure a starting place at United under the guidance of the veteran coach Sir Alex Ferguson. Within a short period, he became the star player of the best team in England, and made history by winning numerous titles, including the Premier League three times and the Champions League once.

His move to Real Madrid in 2009 led to a decade that cemented his status as one of the greatest players in history. He won several unforgettable titles, most notably the Champions League four times and the Ballon d'Or on four occasions with the Spanish club. He became the club's all-time top scorer with 450 goals and won Spain’s Golden Boot three times.

Serie A silverware followed at Juventus, who he joined in 2018, before a turbulent return to Manchester United was ended with his Al-Nassr switch during the 2022 World Cup period.

Although yet to win major silverware with Al-Nassr, he became the all-time top scorer for a single season in the professional league when he scored 35 goals in 2023-24, breaking the record held by Morocco’s Abderrazak Hamdallah.

Ronaldo dreams of leading Al-Nassr to the AFC Champions League Elite title for the first time in history in 2024-25, hopes that will have been helped by scoring in a thrashing the reigning champions, UAE side Al-Ain, 5-1 in November.

At the international level, Portugal winning the UEFA European Championship in 2016 will immortalise a Cristiano era in which he also won the UEFA Nations League and became the all-time top goalscorer for all men’s national teams with over 130 goals.

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Soccer player in white Real Madrid kit on a platform, surrounded by photographers and a large crowd in a stadium.

Soccer player in a red jersey biting a gold medal on a field.

Community Impact

Fan Champion

Ronaldo’s unmatched stardom and popularity doesn’t mean he can’t be humble with his fan interactions on and off the field. He has left a profound impact on those he interacts with.

Since joining Al-Nassr, the Portuguese star has engaged significantly with the Saudi public through his constant presence at various events, interacting closely with fans, taking photos and videos, and even strolling around with his family and enjoying Arabic coffee in Riyadh.

He has expressed an evident fascination with Arab culture since his arrival, wearing traditional Saudi attire and celebrating with the Saudi Ardha dance at many matches.

Furthermore, Ronaldo has impressed fans by learning and using Arabic phrases like Assalamu Alaikum (Peace be upon you), Shukran (Thank you), and Alhamdulillah (Praise be to God), and by prostrating in prayer on the pitch at Al-Awwal Park, his club's stadium.

The exchange of cultures and Ronaldo's actions are not limited to Saudi football. He warmly welcomed an Iranian artist with special needs before facing Persepolis in the AFC Champions League last season.

Moreover, Ronaldo's lifestyle has become a model for millions worldwide for his positive family life, his remarkable focus on health, and his avoidance of negativity.

His influence extends to homes, schools, universities, hospitals, and other places, as children and young people imitate his famous celebration.

A man in traditional Middle Eastern attire takes a selfie with a soccer player in a yellow and blue jersey at an event.

Child in yellow shirt and blue scarf holding a sign with "CR7" written on it, smiling.

Humanitarian Gesture and Charitable Contributions

Charity Champion

Ronaldo's golden career is not limited to football alone, with his charitable contributions helping to make him one of the true GOATs, not just on the pitch but off it.

In 2011, Ronaldo auctioned his European Golden Shoe for £1.2 million to build a school in Gaza, Palestine.

That same year, he sold a signed shirt for €37,000, donating the proceeds to Save the Children, an organisation he later became an ambassador for. He also donated €100,000 of the prize money he received for being named in the UEFA Team of the Year in 2014 to the Red Cross.

In 2015, the same year he divided more than half a million euros between UNICEF and World Vision, he was named the best humanitarian in the world .

Ronaldo's noble actions did not stop there. In 2017, he decided to donate the Ballon d'Or he won in 2013, which was sold at a charity auction in London for about $700,000, dedicated to children suffering from life-threatening conditions.

Person holding and kissing a golden soccer boot trophy.

In 2020, the Portuguese legend decided to donate to combat the coronavirus by spending large sums to treat the infected, donating an estimated €1 million to some hospitals in his country. Ronaldo also has made a habit of donating blood regularly and encouraging others to do so through various campaigns.

Ronaldo has many other wonderful qualities besides donations. In 2009, he learned that a nine-year-old fan had cancer and sent his driver to bring the boy and his family to the hotel where Real Madrid was staying, inviting him to watch a Real Madrid match at the Santiago Bernabeu and gifting him his shirt after the match.

The man fondly referred to as CR7 knows he’s a legend and gives back to his fans in ways only he can.