Cristiano Ronaldo Changed The Team He Supported When He Turned Professional

Cristiano Ronaldo changed the team he supported when he started playing professionally.

Born in the island of Madeira, Ronaldo actually grew up as a supporter of Benfica.

The Eagles are the most successful club in Portuguese football and won the European Cup back to back in 1961 and 1962 during the Eusebio glory days.

While Ronaldo was playing locally for Andorinha and Nacional, Benfica were still very much his team.

But then he ended up controversially changing allegiances to the other giants in Lisbon - Sporting - after signing for the club as a youngster.

He played 31 times in the Sporting first-team and there's been talk about the club renaming the stadium after him in the future such is his legacy there.

Image: PA

"When I was very young, I supported Benfica but, as soon as I moved to Sporting, they were my team," Ronaldo told United Review back in 2004.

"I spent seven years there and I'm grateful to the club for everything they did for me, so that's who I support."

In the same interview, Ronaldo did also say he watched United games on TV and "dreamed of playing" at Old Trafford.

'CR7' made his name at United under Sir Alex Ferguson, well and truly developing into a world star in his six seasons in English football.

He scored 118 goals and won three Premier League titles, as well as the first of five Ballon d'Ors he would go on to claim in his illustrious career.

Now aged 36, Ronaldo has returned to United for a second stint and has been handed the No.7 shirt once again.

Image: PA

"This is why I'm here," Ronaldo told United's official website when asked about repeating history with silverware.

"I'm not here for a vacation [...] Before was good, winning important things and I wore the shirt before many years ago.

"But I'm here to win again. I'm capable, me and my teammates. I'm ready to go. It's a good chance for me, for the supporters, for the club, to get one step ahead.

"I think I will be a huge thing in the next three or four years."

The Portuguese superstar is in line to make his second debut against Newcastle on Saturday.

Topics: Manchester United, Sporting CP, Benfica, Portugal, Cristiano Ronaldo

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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