Cristano Ronaldo is one of the premier athletes of his generation, but there are yet facets to his story and character that you didn’t know about Cristiano Ronaldo. He’s won everything at club level and barring the World Cup, he’s made hay with his national team as well. But there’s much more to know about Cristiano Ronaldo than just scintillating goals and mind-boggling celebrations.
10. CR7 donated his Bone Marrow
To understand the Real legend, one has to dig deep into his passion for donating, be it blood or even bone marrow in this case. The heartwarming thing about Cristiano Ronaldo is that he’s always up for a cause, as he was when his teammate Carlos Martin’s son needed bone marrow transplant after being diagnosed with a rare bone disease.
9. CR7 is named after a Hollywood Star & a former US Prez
Another strange fact about Cristiano Ronaldo’s name is that his dad has named him after Ronald Reagan, a Hollywood star and former US President. José Dinis Aveiro, Ronaldo’s dad was a huge fan of Reagan and settled to add an ‘o’ at the end of his idol’s first name when he named his son.
8. CR7 Jumps higher than the average NBA player
Towering powerful headers, great headed goals – you may have noticed these traits about Cristiano Ronaldo. However, the fact that he is better at jumping than most NBA players is too good to be true. He jumps his height and covers a vertical distance five times to that of a cheetah.
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7. CR7 made it to Lisbon for a boyhood buddy
Tied neck to neck on goals for the season, with a visit to the prestigious Lisbon academy on the line for the highest goal-scorer, Ronaldo’s boyhood friend Albert Fantrau passed CR7 the ball for the goal that would take him to Lisbon. The rest of the story about Cristiano Ronaldo becoming a global superstar is no fiction to any of us. Grateful as he ever is, Ronaldo gifted his friend a house, cars, a card and money.
6. CR7 never drinks — and there’s a reason for it
All the pressure that comes with being the best in the business – Ronaldo handles it without the luxury of consuming alcohol. This is because his father was an alcoholic that affected his childhood in a great way. Ronaldo cares for the people around him and that is one of the best facets about Cristiano Ronaldo.
5. CR7 was expelled from school at 14
A well known fact about Cristiano Ronaldo is that he stands no mockery. From reply goals to his response to press reporters, he has always demoted bullying. At 14, in school, one of his teachers mocked his accent at whom he threw a chair and hence, was expelled. His caretaker, his mother did not make a big deal out of it at the time.
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4. CR7 could have been a Liverpool player
With scouts all over Portugal chasing what they had heard about Cristiano Ronaldo, Liverpool FC were first in line to sign in. However, the deal fell through and Manchester United, led by the inspirational Sir Alex Ferguson, ended up signing the next big thing in World Football. Imagine CR7 in a Liverpool jersey. Phew!
3. CR7 is the most Googled player in history
Fame followed Cristano from Lisbon to Manchester to Madrid and now Turin. However, he hit a new high in 2012 when folks googling about Cristiano Ronaldo reached an all-time high, making him the most Googled player in history.
2. CR7 didn’t want the No.7 jersey
The iconic No.7 at Manchester United was to an extent, forced upon then 19 year old Cristiano Ronaldo. He wanted No.28, but it was the special talent about Cristiano Ronaldo that made Sir Alex Ferguson present him with the opportunity to wear the No.7 at United, previously sported by greats like George Best, David Beckham and Eric Cantona.
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1. CR7 had a heart disease
One strange thing about Cristiano Ronaldo was that he had a rare heart disease called the “Racing Heart” that could’ve ended his career. He underwent surgery as an 18 year old and within two days, was back on the pitch to continue his recovery.