Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro is one of those stories. Not with crowns or kingdoms, but forged through talent, drive, and an unshakable will, he has conquered the world of football.

Cristiano Ronaldo turns 41 today. But he is far from a memory in a photo album. He is still scoring bicycle kicks, still inspiring awe. I remember 2008: I saw a red and black poster on my brother’s wall, a skinny player wearing a red, loose, full-sleeved jersey. That was my first memory of Ronaldo.

From then to now, his longevity speaks volumes. It is not just luck, but the product of a career defined by passion, adaptation, and an unyielding belief: “In my mind, I’m always the best,” as he says.

Born into poverty in Madeira, Ronaldo’s journey almost ended before it could begin. His family struggled, his father battled alcoholism, and he survived a serious heart condition as a teenager. Ronaldo’s rise was never assured.

By 17, he debuted for Sporting CP; by 18, Europe was watching. Arsenal, Liverpool, Barcelona, Arsène Wenger almost signed him. In fact, a parallel universe could have seen Ronaldo and Messi playing together in a Barça shirt.

Everything changed on 6 August 2003. Ronaldo dismantled Manchester United in a friendly, making John O’Shea’s life miserable, and convincing Sir Alex Ferguson.

In his early years at Man United, he was flashy, fearless. Too flashy, some thought. The talent was undeniable, but the polish was missing.

Then came the 2006 World Cup that turned him into football’s villain. Against England, Wayne Rooney was sent off after a foul and Ronaldo’s appeal. Cameras caught Ronaldo winking. English fans turned on him overnight.

Ferguson backed him, centred a team around him. Ronaldo had one choice: grow or fall.

Ronaldo chose obsession. He became ruthless. He played arguably the greatest season a Premier League player has ever played. He won the Ballon d’Or, the Champions League, and the Premier League all in the same season. In fact, no Premier League player has yet won the Ballon d’Or since him.

Ronaldo crafted himself into true greatness when he signed for Real Madrid. Real Madrid immortalised him. He scored more goals than matches played. He played under almost every top manager on the planet at the time. He delivered on every big stage. The iconic number seven became the signature of ambition.

Champions League nights. League runs. Different clubs. Different systems. Different positions. Different occasions. You name it. He was “The Box Office” across a career spanning more than two decades. Ronaldo broke all the records: most official goals in football history, most international goals, and most UEFA Champions League goals. Most goals in a single Champions League season, and those unforgettable clutch moments on big nights. Cristiano is the only player to score 100 goals for four different clubs, adding Juventus and Al Nassr to the list.

On the international stage, he put Portugal on the map and lifted their first major trophy, becoming more than a player. He became a symbol.

He has also inspired an entire generation of footballers. We have all seen that famous photo of young Mbappé surrounded by Ronaldo posters. From Vinícius to Kvaratskhelia, from Haaland to Rashford, his influence is unmatched among current football stars.

Ronaldo’s story became even more compelling when he went toe to toe with his arch-rival and arguably one of the greatest footballers of all time, Lionel Messi. Two different styles of players, two different upbringings. But they pushed each other. These are tales that come once in a lifetime, like Ali vs Frazier, Federer vs Nadal, and so few others. We are the luckiest to have watched them share the stage for almost 20 years. Although Lionel Messi’s trophy cabinet may be better and bigger, crowned by the ultimate glory of the World Cup, that remains the only omission from Ronaldo’s extensive honour roll. Can he still touch that golden badge in his final dance in 2026? Time will tell.

His story is also a reminder that greatness is not perfect. The theatrics. The ego. The way he demanded space, attention, control, and the downfalls. He was never the poetic hero football loves to romanticise. He is loud, self-aware, sometimes exhausting. Still having rifts at Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia. Villain for some, hero for many. The “SIUU” became football heritage. No matter how you describe him, Ronaldo is the first and last of his kind.

At 41, fatigue has yet to find him. Ronaldo is still at it, rediscovering himself every day. His career goal tally now stands at 961 and counting. Happy 41st birthday to one of the greatest to ever play the game.