Cristiano Ronaldo has blossomed from a spindly youngster with a heart problem into one of the game’s greatest ever players. Join us as we review the accomplishments of this world superstar.

Ronaldo became United’s first-ever Portuguese player when he joined from Sporting Clube on a $24m transfer. How different things might have been if the two other teams vying for his services – Arsenal and Barcelona – had been able to seal the deal.

Ronaldo would score the winning goal in Manchester United’s 3-0 win over Millwall in the FA Cup final, leading him to his first piece of silverware with the Red Devils.

Ronaldo’s forty yard screamer to knock Porto out of the Champions League was one of the highlights of the entire tournament, earning him the first ever Puskas Award for greatest goal of the year.

Ronaldo broke the 20-goal barrier with United for the first time this season, leading the Manchester giants to the title for their first honors since the previous season’s League Cup.

Ronaldo became the captain of the national team in 2007, four years after he earned his first cap but at the still young age of 22. Carlos Queiroz would hand him the armband for good in 2008 at the European Championships.

Ronaldo’s 42-goal season with United helped lead the Red Devils to the Premier League title and Champions League glory, and it was apparent that he was the world player of the year. He collected his first and to date, only, Ballon D’Or in 2008.

Cristiano Ronaldo climbed European heights for the first time by collecting the European Cup in 2008 with Manchester United. Ronaldo led the Red Devils to the trophy as the competition’s leading goalscorer and would go on to be named the Champions League’s best player that season.

Interest from Real Madrid soon meant a big money move for Ronaldo from the Spanish giants, taking him for a record $128m transfer fee, making him the most costly football player ever. Ronaldo would instantly invigorate Real, but to would take some time for him to get them past arch-rivals Barcelona…

It wasn’t until 2011 that Ronaldo was able to lead Madrid to glory, taking their first Cup in 18 long years, and finally putting Barcelona to the sword. Ronaldo scored the game winner in a cathartic final that laid the stage for glories to come.

At long last, Ronaldo would taste La Liga glory when he and Jose Mourinho managed to put Barcelona in the rear view mirror and lift the crown. Real, one of the biggest teams in the world, had finally bested what is arguably the greatest club side ever assembled, over a grueling season.