What role does Cristiano Ronaldo in football history?

Last update 12 September, 2025 by Alberto Llopis

What place Cristiano Ronaldo occupies in the history of football? In 2013, CR7 conquered what would be his second Ballon d'Or (After that of 2008) imposing on Ribéry and Messi. That season was an exhibition of power, speed and goal. View from 2025, That night was just a passage station: CR7 ended up accumulating 5 Golden Balls (2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017) and settled forever in the conversation of the largest.

His trajectory supports him: 5 Champions (one with the United and four with Real Madrid), 4 Club World Cups, 3 Premier, 2 Suspenders, 2 A series, Cups in England, España and Italy, in addition to 3 European Super Cups. Con Portugal, completed what was missing: Euro Cup 2016 y Nations League 2019. At record level, es maximum historical scorer of the Champions League and of the selections (Portugal, con 200+ internationalities and more than a hundred goals), In addition to overcoming the 940 official goals Between clubs and selection. Is the best player in the history of Portugal.

The question that the debate opened today has another answer: to the 40 years (2025), Cristiano no longer competes for "entering" the top-10; It is fixed on the table of the greatest. For many, Top-5 of all time y Messi's direct rival On the throne of the modern era. His legacy: Extreme professionalism, competitive hunger and a relationship with the goal that turned the area into his house for two decades.

Of 2013 a 2025: A story that was enlarged

That golden ball of 2013 —Whorate after a devastating course and a memorable repetition before Sweden - it seemed the point of arrival. Seen from 2025, It was just a stop: Cristiano ended up accumulating 5 Golden Balls (2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017) and signed a career of two decades at the highest level.

Essential Palmarés (clubs)

5 Champions League (1 con Manchester United, 4 With Real Madrid).

4 Club World Cups, 3 European Super Cups.

3 Premier League (England), 2 LaLiga (Spain), 2 A series (Italia).

National Cups in England, España and Italy.

Portugal: The international crown

Euro Cup 2016 (captain) y Nations League 2019.

Maximum historical scorer of selections; 200+ internationalities.

Presence and goal in five World Cups and five Eurocups.

Records and records

Maximum scorer of the Champions League.

More of 850 Official goals between clubs and selection (sum that continued to grow in the decade of 2020).

Scorer in more than 20 consecutive seasons to the first level.

CR7 game

First peak as a total end (power, overflow, hit).

Second half of career ‘9’ of area: Reading spaces, auction, pitching.

Extreme professionalism, competitive work and hunger culture as a personal brand.

Where in history?

The debate that in 2013 was done in the future, Today is answered in present: in 2025, Cristiano is fixed on the Top-5 ever for many, Messi's direct rival on the throne of the modern era. Its combination of titles, longevity and numbers feel at the table of Pelé, Maradona, di Stéfano, Cruyff, Messi ... and himself.

Rapid chronology

2003–2009 · Manchester United: Growth and 1 Champions (2008).

2009–2018 · Real Madrid: historical peak, 4 Champions, Goal records.

2018–2021 · Juventus: 2 Immediate Series and Leadership.

2021–2022 · Return to United.

2023–2025 · Stage in Saudi Arabia, still adding goals and records.

FAQ about Cristiano Ronaldo (updated 2025)

How many golden balls do you have?

Cinco: 2008, 2013, 2014, 2016 y 2017.

Is it still the top scorer of selections?
Yes; maintains that leadership with Portugal and exceeds 200 internationalities.

Is it the maximum historical scorer of the Champions League?
Yes, Nº1 in the history of the competition.

What large titles did with Portugal?
Euro 2016 y Nations League 2019.

Is it still active in 2025?
Yes, continued competing and scoring during the first half of the decade of 2020. Even past the 40 years.

Closing

In 2013 It was argued if that golden ball was "among the top ten". In 2025 The question changed: How do you order the best in history with Christian already inside? That is your true victory.

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