• His full name is Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro. His middle name, Ronaldo, was inspired by Ronald Reagan, the former US president who was his father’s favorite actor. AFP
    His full name is Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro. His middle name, Ronaldo, was inspired by Ronald Reagan, the former US president who was his father’s favorite actor. AFP
  • Ronaldo flew to Indonesia to meet a survivor of the 2004 tsunami in Indonesia after an image emerged of the kid wearing a Portugal shirt. Ronaldo reportedly paid for the kid's education. AFP
    Ronaldo flew to Indonesia to meet a survivor of the 2004 tsunami in Indonesia after an image emerged of the kid wearing a Portugal shirt. Ronaldo reportedly paid for the kid's education. AFP
  • Studies have shown that when he jumps, Ronaldo generates five times more power than a cheetah in full flight. Reuters
    Studies have shown that when he jumps, Ronaldo generates five times more power than a cheetah in full flight. Reuters
  • Ronaldo can jump 44cm from a stand start and 78cm with a run up, well more than an average basketball player. Getty Images
    Ronaldo can jump 44cm from a stand start and 78cm with a run up, well more than an average basketball player. Getty Images
  • At 15 years of age, Ronaldo had to undergo surgery for a racing heartbeat. EPA
    At 15 years of age, Ronaldo had to undergo surgery for a racing heartbeat. EPA
  • Growing up, Luis Figo was his favorite footballer. EPA
    Growing up, Luis Figo was his favorite footballer. EPA
  • Ronaldo does not have any tattoos because he donates blood regularly; those having tattoos need to wait six months to a year before being allowed to donate. He is a blood and bone marrow donor. Getty Images
    Ronaldo does not have any tattoos because he donates blood regularly; those having tattoos need to wait six months to a year before being allowed to donate. He is a blood and bone marrow donor. Getty Images
  • Ronaldo is the first person on the planet to reach 200 million followers on Instagram. AFP
    Ronaldo is the first person on the planet to reach 200 million followers on Instagram. AFP
  • Ronaldo earns around $47.8 million a year from his Instagram posts, while his salary at Juventus is $34m. AP
    Ronaldo earns around $47.8 million a year from his Instagram posts, while his salary at Juventus is $34m. AP
  • A university in Canada offers a sociology course about Cristiano Ronaldo. The University of British Columbia Okanagan’s course examines Ronaldo’s impact on social and cultural trends. Getty Images
    A university in Canada offers a sociology course about Cristiano Ronaldo. The University of British Columbia Okanagan’s course examines Ronaldo’s impact on social and cultural trends. Getty Images

10 interesting facts about Cristiano Ronaldo as the football star turns 35 - in pictures


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Cristiano Ronaldo turns 35 on Wednesday. While others his age are showing signs of slowing down, the Portuguese superstar is busy breaking one record after the other.

Just this week, Ronaldo stretched his scoring streak to nine consecutive league games for Juventus. The former Real Madrid player has now scored 50 goals in 70 games across competitions since moving to Juve in 2018; that too after it was thought the Serie A system would considerably slow down his scoring abilities.

It's not like Ronaldo needs to prove anything to anyone any more. Five Ballons d'Or, six Champions League titles and one Euro crown, along with league wins across Europe, are more than enough to make him one of the greatest footballers of all time.

Ronaldo's stardom is not restricted to the football field. One of the highest paid athletes on the planet, Ronaldo is a marketing diamond; his record 200 million following on Instagram generates more revenue for him than his Juve salary.

Football fans know almost everything that Ronaldo has achieved on the field. But there are probably a few things you don't know about him. Click on the image gallery above to know some interesting facts about him. To move on to the next image, click on the arrows. If using a mobile device, simply swipe.