Ronaldo’s Record–Breaking Transfer from Manchester United to Real Madrid In the summer of 2009, Cristiano Ronaldo made history with his record–breaking transfer from Manchester United to Real Madrid. The move made Ronaldo the world’s most expensive player at the time, costing Madrid a whopping £80 million. The transfer broke records in a number of ways. It was the highest fee ever paid for a football player, surpassing the previous record set by Zinedine Zidane when he moved from Juventus to Real Madrid for £46 million. It was also the largest sum ever paid by a Spanish club for a player, and the highest transfer fee ever paid by a club outside of England. The move was viewed as a statement of intent from Real Madrid, who were determined to make the Spanish giants a superpower in European football again. The transfer did indeed pay off, with Ronaldo helping Los Blancos to a record–breaking haul of trophies over the next decade, including four Champions League titles. Ronaldo himself also enjoyed personal success during his nine–year spell in Madrid. He scored a staggering 451 goals in 438 appearances and won numerous individual awards, including four Ballon d’Ors. The record–breaking transfer of Ronaldo to Madrid in 2009 changed the face of football forever and continues to have an impact to this day.
Ronaldo’s Five Ballon d’Or Awards and Other Accolades
Ballon d’Or Awards
1. 2008
2. 2013
3. 2014
4. 2016
5. 2017
Other Accolades
1. UEFA Best Player in Europe Award: 2014, 2016, 2017
2. UEFA Club Footballer of the Year: 2007–08
3. UEFA Champions League Top Scorer: 2007–08, 2012–13, 2013–14, and 2014–15
4. FIFA Club World Cup Silver Ball: 2016
5. FIFA Club World Cup Top Scorer: 2016
6. FIFA World Cup Silver Ball: 2018
7. UEFA European Championship Silver Boot: 2016
8. UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament: 2008, 2012, 2016
9. FIFA FIFPro World XI: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
10. FIFA World Cup Dream Team: 2018
- 11. Premier League Golden Boot: 2007–08, 2010–11
12. FA Cup Winner: 2004
13. Premier League Player of the Season: 2006–07, 2007–08
14. UEFA Nations League Golden Boot: 2018–19
15. FIFA World Player of the Year: 2008