• Chief Executive Peter Kenyon and Cristiano Ronaldo as the young Portugese player signs for Manchester United at Old Trafford on August 12, 2003. Getty
    Chief Executive Peter Kenyon and Cristiano Ronaldo as the young Portugese player signs for Manchester United at Old Trafford on August 12, 2003. Getty
  • Ronaldo went on to star for United, Real Madrid and now Juventus in a glittering career that is still going strong at the age of 35. EPA
    Ronaldo went on to star for United, Real Madrid and now Juventus in a glittering career that is still going strong at the age of 35. EPA
  • Serena Williams and her sister Venus Williams stand with former US president Ronald Reagan at a tennis camp in Florida in 1990. Allsport
    Serena Williams and her sister Venus Williams stand with former US president Ronald Reagan at a tennis camp in Florida in 1990. Allsport
  • Serena Williams, right, went on to become one of the greatest tennis players in history and has so far won 23 Grand Slam Singles titles. Venus has also had a highly successful career, winning seven Grand Slam singles titles. They have also proved a remarkable team, winning 14 doubles Grand Slam titles together. AP
    Serena Williams, right, went on to become one of the greatest tennis players in history and has so far won 23 Grand Slam Singles titles. Venus has also had a highly successful career, winning seven Grand Slam singles titles. They have also proved a remarkable team, winning 14 doubles Grand Slam titles together. AP
  • Virat Kohli of India attempts to gather the ball during the ICC U/19 Cricket World Cup semi final match between India and New Zealand on February 27, 2008. Getty
    Virat Kohli of India attempts to gather the ball during the ICC U/19 Cricket World Cup semi final match between India and New Zealand on February 27, 2008. Getty
  • Virat Kohli has scored 7,240 runs, including 27 centuries and 22 fifties, in 86 Tests. Getty
    Virat Kohli has scored 7,240 runs, including 27 centuries and 22 fifties, in 86 Tests. Getty
  • Arthur Ashe, a 20-year-old student at UCLA, in 1963. AP
    Arthur Ashe, a 20-year-old student at UCLA, in 1963. AP
  • Ashe holding aloft the Wimbledon trophy after beating Jimmy Connors in the men's singles final in 1975. Getty
    Ashe holding aloft the Wimbledon trophy after beating Jimmy Connors in the men's singles final in 1975. Getty
  • Usain Bolt of Jamaica celebrates winning the 200 metres final during the IAAF Junior Athletics World Championships on July 18, 2002. Getty
    Usain Bolt of Jamaica celebrates winning the 200 metres final during the IAAF Junior Athletics World Championships on July 18, 2002. Getty
  • Usain Bolt retired after the 2017 world championships in London and holds the world records in both the 100m and 200m. Reuters
    Usain Bolt retired after the 2017 world championships in London and holds the world records in both the 100m and 200m. Reuters
  • Sachin Tendulkar of India relaxes in Lahore, Pakistan, in 1989. Getty
    Sachin Tendulkar of India relaxes in Lahore, Pakistan, in 1989. Getty
  • Sachin Tendulkar became perhaps the most complete batsman and the most worshipped cricketer in the world, holding just about every batting record worth owning in the game, including those for most runs and hundreds in Tests and ODIs, and most international runs. Getty etty Images)
    Sachin Tendulkar became perhaps the most complete batsman and the most worshipped cricketer in the world, holding just about every batting record worth owning in the game, including those for most runs and hundreds in Tests and ODIs, and most international runs. Getty etty Images)
  • Glasgow Rangers player Alex Ferguson putting on a record by Ray Conniff and his orchestra. Getty
    Glasgow Rangers player Alex Ferguson putting on a record by Ray Conniff and his orchestra. Getty
  • During his 26 years as manager of Manchester United Ferguson won 38 trophies, including 13 Premier League titles, five FA Cups, and two Champions League titles. He was knighted in 1999 for his services to the game. AFP
    During his 26 years as manager of Manchester United Ferguson won 38 trophies, including 13 Premier League titles, five FA Cups, and two Champions League titles. He was knighted in 1999 for his services to the game. AFP
  • Andy Murray in action during the Under 14s event of the National Junior Championships at the Nottingham tennis centre on August 20, 1999. Getty
    Andy Murray in action during the Under 14s event of the National Junior Championships at the Nottingham tennis centre on August 20, 1999. Getty
  • Murray celebrates with the trophy after defeating Novak Djokovic to win Wimbledon in 2013, one of his three Grand Slam titles. PA
    Murray celebrates with the trophy after defeating Novak Djokovic to win Wimbledon in 2013, one of his three Grand Slam titles. PA
  • Tiger Woods on Griffith Park golf course as a 16-year old in 1991. Getty
    Tiger Woods on Griffith Park golf course as a 16-year old in 1991. Getty
  • Tiger Woods is one of the most celebrated athletes of all time, with 109 tournament wins, including 15 Majors. Reuters
    Tiger Woods is one of the most celebrated athletes of all time, with 109 tournament wins, including 15 Majors. Reuters
  • Zinedine Zidane before an Under-21 International match between France and Scotland on May 30, 1991 in Toulon, France. Getty
    Zinedine Zidane before an Under-21 International match between France and Scotland on May 30, 1991 in Toulon, France. Getty
  • Zinedine Zidane is now manager of Real Madrid after a glittering career with Bordeaux, Juventus and Real Madrid, and winning the 1998 World Cup with France. Reuters
    Zinedine Zidane is now manager of Real Madrid after a glittering career with Bordeaux, Juventus and Real Madrid, and winning the 1998 World Cup with France. Reuters
  • David Beckham of Manchester United Youth in action during a match.in May, 1993. Allsport
    David Beckham of Manchester United Youth in action during a match.in May, 1993. Allsport
  • Beckham had a top career with Manchester United, Real Madrid, LA Galaxy, AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain. He is now owner of Inter Miami in the USA. Getty
    Beckham had a top career with Manchester United, Real Madrid, LA Galaxy, AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain. He is now owner of Inter Miami in the USA. Getty
  • Seven-year-old Andre Agassi plays tennis in April, 1977 In Las Vegas. Getty
    Seven-year-old Andre Agassi plays tennis in April, 1977 In Las Vegas. Getty
  • Agassi celebrates with the trophy after winning Wimbledon in 1992, one of eight Grand Slam titles he won during his career. Getty
    Agassi celebrates with the trophy after winning Wimbledon in 1992, one of eight Grand Slam titles he won during his career. Getty
  • Andrew Strauss of Middlesex County Cricket Club at Lord's, London, in April 1997. Allsport
    Andrew Strauss of Middlesex County Cricket Club at Lord's, London, in April 1997. Allsport
  • Captain Strauss holds the Ashes urn as the England team celebrate beating Australia to win the Ashes in 2009. AFP
    Captain Strauss holds the Ashes urn as the England team celebrate beating Australia to win the Ashes in 2009. AFP
  • Ian Botham, of Somerset and England, in 1977. Getty
    Ian Botham, of Somerset and England, in 1977. Getty
  • Botham became England's greatest all-rounder, and one of the best the world has seen. He played 102 Tests, taking 383 wickets and scoring 5200 runs. Getty
    Botham became England's greatest all-rounder, and one of the best the world has seen. He played 102 Tests, taking 383 wickets and scoring 5200 runs. Getty
  • Paula Radcliffe of Bedford and County Athletics Club in action during the Women's National Road Race in Sutton Coldfield, England in October 1988. Getty
    Paula Radcliffe of Bedford and County Athletics Club in action during the Women's National Road Race in Sutton Coldfield, England in October 1988. Getty
  • Radcliffe is a three-time winner of the London Marathon, three-time New York Marathon champion, and 2002 Chicago Marathon winner. Getty
    Radcliffe is a three-time winner of the London Marathon, three-time New York Marathon champion, and 2002 Chicago Marathon winner. Getty
  • English tennis player Virginia Wade pictured studying an advanced calculus text book during a maths homework session prior to competing in the women's singles at the 1964 Wimbledon Championships in 1964. Getty
    English tennis player Virginia Wade pictured studying an advanced calculus text book during a maths homework session prior to competing in the women's singles at the 1964 Wimbledon Championships in 1964. Getty
  • Wade holding the trophy she won after defeating Holland's Betty Stove in the Wimbledon final in 1977. Getty
    Wade holding the trophy she won after defeating Holland's Betty Stove in the Wimbledon final in 1977. Getty
  • Stuart Broad of Leicestershire taken during the club's photocall at the County Groundi n 2005. Getty
    Stuart Broad of Leicestershire taken during the club's photocall at the County Groundi n 2005. Getty
  • Broad is one of the most succesful England bowlers of all time, taking 485 wickets in 185 Tests. Getty
    Broad is one of the most succesful England bowlers of all time, taking 485 wickets in 185 Tests. Getty
  • Nick Faldo with U15 boys tournament winner Rory McIlroy in 2004. Getty
    Nick Faldo with U15 boys tournament winner Rory McIlroy in 2004. Getty
  • Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland has won three of the four golf Majors, and has been ranked world No 1. AP
    Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland has won three of the four golf Majors, and has been ranked world No 1. AP
  • Andy Farrell of Wigan celebrates with the team and his son Owen Farrell after winning the Challenge Cup Final in 2002. Getty
    Andy Farrell of Wigan celebrates with the team and his son Owen Farrell after winning the Challenge Cup Final in 2002. Getty
  • Owen Farrell captained England in the 2019 World Cup Final against South Africa in Tokyo. Getty
    Owen Farrell captained England in the 2019 World Cup Final against South Africa in Tokyo. Getty
  • James Anderson of Lancashire County Cricket Club during the 2001 squad photoshoot at Old Trafford. Allsport
    James Anderson of Lancashire County Cricket Club during the 2001 squad photoshoot at Old Trafford. Allsport
  • England's Jimmy Anderson has 584 Test wickets, the most by a pace bowler in cricket history. Reuters
    England's Jimmy Anderson has 584 Test wickets, the most by a pace bowler in cricket history. Reuters
  • Roger Federer of Switzerland holds aloft the Boys' Singles trophy at Wimbledon in 1998. Getty
    Roger Federer of Switzerland holds aloft the Boys' Singles trophy at Wimbledon in 1998. Getty
  • Federer is an all-time great with 20 Grand Slam titles. Reuters
    Federer is an all-time great with 20 Grand Slam titles. Reuters
  • Sepp Blatter, Longines employee , in 1971. Getty
    Sepp Blatter, Longines employee , in 1971. Getty
  • Blatter was president of Fifa from 1998 to 2015. He is currently serving a six-year ban from participating in FIFA activities. AP
    Blatter was president of Fifa from 1998 to 2015. He is currently serving a six-year ban from participating in FIFA activities. AP
  • At 12-year-old Cassius Clay shows his best fighting stance. Getty
    At 12-year-old Cassius Clay shows his best fighting stance. Getty
  • Muhammad Ali was only 23 years told when he knocked Sonny Liston to the canvas in the first round, defending his world title for the second year. Ali’s star status would endure, and this photo remained one of his most recognisable throughout his life. AP
    Muhammad Ali was only 23 years told when he knocked Sonny Liston to the canvas in the first round, defending his world title for the second year. Ali’s star status would endure, and this photo remained one of his most recognisable throughout his life. AP
  • Birmingham City managing director Karren Brady at a function with David Sullivan in 1993. Getty
    Birmingham City managing director Karren Brady at a function with David Sullivan in 1993. Getty
  • Karren Brady, centre, is the vice-chairman at West Ham United. Reuters
    Karren Brady, centre, is the vice-chairman at West Ham United. Reuters
  • Cricketer Alastair Cook pictured on June 2, 2000 in Windsor, England. Getty
    Cricketer Alastair Cook pictured on June 2, 2000 in Windsor, England. Getty
  • England captain Cook holds up the Ashes Urn in 2013. AP
    England captain Cook holds up the Ashes Urn in 2013. AP
  • New Manchester United signing Roy Keane poses with a club scarf at Old Trafford after signing from Nottingham Forest ahead of the 1993/94 season. Getty
    New Manchester United signing Roy Keane poses with a club scarf at Old Trafford after signing from Nottingham Forest ahead of the 1993/94 season. Getty
  • Keane battles with Patrick Vieira of Arsenal during the FA Cup Final in May, 2005. Getty
    Keane battles with Patrick Vieira of Arsenal during the FA Cup Final in May, 2005. Getty
  • Fatima Whitbread poses with a javelin during training in September 1977 at Crystal Palace in London. Getty
    Fatima Whitbread poses with a javelin during training in September 1977 at Crystal Palace in London. Getty
  • Great Britain's Fatima Whitbread wins the gold medal at the 1987 World Athletics Championships in Rome. Getty
    Great Britain's Fatima Whitbread wins the gold medal at the 1987 World Athletics Championships in Rome. Getty

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Before they were famous: Virat Kohli, Cristiano Ronaldo, Sachin Tendulkar and a gallery of stars before they hit the big time

They are now recognised the world over, but had to start somewhere

Dominic Hart

April 27, 2020

  • English
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They are the sporting superstars, recognised by millions and followed by fans all over the world.

But the greats of the game all had to start somewhere.

They were younger and showing signs of talent, but who could have imagined the success that was going to come their way?

From the young Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo about to sign for Manchester United, teenage tennis player Andy Murray, to another future Wimbledon champion doing her homework before play.

Above is a gallery of future stars and what they went on to achieve. To see the next up and coming talent, swipe the picture.

Lionel MessiCristiano RonaldoAndy MurrayWimbledon 2026