[CR7] Cristiano Ronaldo
On 26 June 2009, Real Madrid confirmed that Ronaldo would join the club on 1 July 2009 from Manchester United for £80 million (€93.9 million) becoming the most expensive footballer in history, after agreeing terms and signing a six-year contract. Ronaldo’s contract is worth €11 million per year[and it has a Career in Soccer €1 billion buy-out clause. He was presented to the world media as a Real Madrid player on 6 July, where he was handed the number 9 jersey.The shirt was presented to him by Madrid legend Alfredo Di Stéfano. Ronaldo was welcomed by between 80,000 and 85,000 fans at his presentation at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, surpassing Diego Maradona’s record of 75,000 fans when he was presented in Italy, after he was transferred from Barcelona to Napoli in 1984.The event was broadcasted live on the Spanish and Portuguese public TV stations, RTVE and RTP respectively. Ronaldo taking a free kick with Real Madrid against Borussia Dortmund at Signal Iduna Park. Ronaldo made his Madrid debut on 21 July in a 1–0 win over Shamrock Rovers. His first goal came one week later with a penalty in Madrid’s 4–2 win over LDU Quito. On 29 August, Ronaldo capped his La Liga debut with a goal, scoring Real’s second from the penalty spot in a 3–2 home win against Deportivo La Coruña.
Many experts have testified to Cristiano Ronaldo’s skills and impact as the best modern-day footballer (alongside Lionel Messi), described as a fast, tricky, strong, skillful winger and striker who will take on any defender with his dribbling and pace; he hits his free kicks with power and pace, and is able to beat defenders off the dribble and cross the ball. He is able to score with his head and both feet. He is also an accurate set piece and penalty kick taker. Ronaldo said: “I didn’t have any particular idols as a child. My ambition was to play for my national team because that’s where the footballers I mostly followed played. I’m sure I used to do stuff I no longer do due to age or experience.” Ronaldo cited his Brazilian namesake, Ronaldo, as one of his footballing heroes. Ronaldo once stated his desire to carve his name in history alongside footballing legends such as Pele and Diego Maradona.