Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a forward for Spanish club Real Madrid and serves as captain for Portugal. He has won several Ballon d'Or awards, including in 2008, 2013, 2014, and 2016. Ronaldo was born in Madeira, Portugal and grew up in poverty with his parents and siblings. He played for Manchester United and Real Madrid, becoming the most expensive teenager in English football history and setting a world record transfer fee to Madrid. Ronaldo's rivalry with Lionel Messi is considered one of the greatest in sports, as they are widely regarded as the two best players of their generation.