Early Life and Humble Beginnings: Cristiano Ronaldo was born on February 5, 1985 in Funchal, Madeira, Portugal. Growing up in a working class family, his passion for football was evident from an early age. He began playing for local team Andorinha and at the age of 12, he caught the eye of scouts from Sporting Lisbon. Sporting Lisbon and Professional Debut: Ronaldo joined the youth academy of Sporting Lisbon, where he honed his skills. At the age of 17, in 2002, he made his professional debut for the senior team of Sporting Lisbon. His impressive performances attracted the attention of several top European clubs.