Ronaldo at 38: A Look Back at 38 Reasons Why He’s the Best Player of All Time

Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the greatest footballers of all time, celebrated his 38th birthday on February 5, 2023. Over the past two decades, the Portuguese forward has established himself as one of the most successful and influential players in the history of the sport.

Ronaldo’s record-breaking exploits have earned him numerous individual awards, including five Ballon d’Or trophies and four European Golden Shoe awards. He has also won numerous titles with his club teams, including two English Premier League titles with Manchester United, four Champions League titles with Real Madrid, and two Serie A titles with Juventus.

One of the most impressive aspects of Ronaldo’s game is his goal-scoring ability. He is the all-time leading scorer for Real Madrid, the UEFA Champions League, and the Portuguese national team. He is also the only player to have scored over 100 goals in the Champions League, and holds the record for the most hat-tricks in the competition.

Ronaldo’s impact on the sport extends beyond his impressive statistics. He has inspired countless young players around the world with his work ethic and dedication to the sport. His incredible athleticism, dribbling skills, and finishing ability have set the standard for modern footballers.

Another key aspect of Ronaldo’s success is his versatility. He is equally effective playing on either wing or as a central striker, and has consistently shown his ability to adapt to new challenges and systems. He has been a key player for some of the greatest club teams in recent history, including Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus.

Ronaldo’s longevity is also a testament to his exceptional talent and dedication to his craft. Despite reaching the age of 38, he continues to perform at a high level, scoring goals and helping his team win games. He remains one of the most feared forwards in the world and continues to inspire fans and players alike.

Here are 38 reasons why Cristiano Ronaldo is considered one of the best football players of all time:

1. Five-time Ballon d’Or winner
2. Four European Golden Shoe awards
3. All-time leading scorer for Real Madrid and the UEFA Champions League
4. Most goals scored in a single season for Real Madrid and the UEFA Champions League
5. Most goals scored in European international competitions
6. Only player to score more than 100 goals in the UEFA Champions League
7. Only player to score in every single Champions League game in a single season
8. Most hat-tricks in the UEFA Champions League
9. Only player to score a hat-trick in three different Champions League seasons
10. Most goals scored in the UEFA European Championship
11. Most goals scored in the UEFA Nations League
12. Most goals scored in a single European international tournament
13. Most goals scored for the Portuguese national team
14. Only player to score in three European international tournaments
15. Most goals scored in international club competitions
16. Most goals scored in a calendar year for club and country combined
17. Most goals scored in a calendar year for a top European club
18. Most goals scored in a calendar year for a national team
19. Most goals scored in a single club season in Europe’s top five leagues
20. Most goals scored in a single club season in Spain’s La Liga
21. Most goals scored in a single club season in Italy’s Serie A
22. Most hat-tricks in Spain’s La Liga
23. Most hat-tricks in Italy’s Serie A
24. Most goals scored in a single match in Spain’s La Liga
25. Most goals scored in a single match in Italy’s Serie A
26. Most goals scored in a single match for Real Madrid
27. Most goals scored in a single match for Manchester United
28. Most goals scored in a single match for Juventus
29. Most goals scored in a single match for the Portuguese national team
30. Most goals scored in a single calendar year for Real Madrid
31. Most goals scored in a single calendar year for Manchester United
32. Most goals scored in a single calendar year for Juventus
33. Most goals scored in a single calendar year for the Portuguese national team
34. Most goals scored in the Spanish Super Cup
35. Most goals scored in the Italian Super Cup
36. Most goals scored in the UEFA Super Cup
37. Most goals scored in the Club World Cup
38. Most goals scored in the international club tournaments combined.