Cristiano Ronaldo: curiosities reveal the origin of the name, school expulsion and heart surgery before the records

Arriving in the United States with the Portuguese team, Cristiano Ronaldo is preparing for a historic milestone: his sixth participation in the World Cup, to be achieved this Wednesday, in a match against DR Congo. However, the journey of the iconic CR7 goes beyond the fields, goals and trophies, being full of surprising and little-known facts that shaped the athlete.

The Mix Vale portal has compiled seven episodes from the life of the Portuguese star that precede and accompany his successful career, showing lesser-known sides of his personality and history.

Presidential tribute in choosing the name

The Portuguese star’s full name is Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro, a direct tribute to the former president of the United States, Ronald Reagan. The choice of “Ronaldo” came from his father, José Dinis Aveiro, a great admirer of the American leader.

The Cristiano patriarch’s admiration was not limited to politics, but extended to Reagan’s acting career, who starred in more than 50 films between the 1930s and 1960s. The birth of the future star occurred on February 5, 1985, a period in which Reagan began his second term as president.

Later, the CR7 nickname was consolidated when the player started to wear the number 7 shirt at Manchester United, becoming his trademark.

Incident of indiscipline in adolescence

At 14, Ronaldo faced expulsion from school after throwing a chair at a teacher. Coming from Madeira Island, he had moved to Lisbon to join Sporting’s youth teams, a crucial moment of adaptation.

According to reports from the player himself, he was often the target of teasing by colleagues and teachers due to his Madeiran accent. The teacher in question would have publicly humiliated him, which would have provoked CR7’s reaction. This episode, although one of indiscipline, can be seen as one of the first signs of Cristiano’s resilience and strong personality, who would learn to transform challenges into fuel for his journey.

Overcoming heart surgery at a young age

When he was just 15 years old, Ronaldo’s dream of pursuing football was almost interrupted by a health problem: tachycardia, a condition that causes a heartbeat above normal. The athlete underwent a procedure called catheter ablation and was able to return to the field in a short time.

Despite the quick recovery, the star’s family experienced moments of great apprehension, fearing that the heart issue could definitively compromise CR7’s career. The need for such a young intervention, however, is often pointed out by analysts as a factor that intensified his already remarkable discipline and extreme care for his body, characteristics that became pillars of his longevity in high-performance sport.

Beginning of the selection under the command of Felipão

Cristiano Ronaldo’s first call-up to the Portuguese national team came in 2003, at the hands of Brazilian coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, who had won the fifth world championship with Brazil the previous year. The star made his debut on August 20 of that year, coming on at half-time in the 1-0 victory over Kazakhstan.

Coach Felipão was the first to believe in Ronaldo’s potential on the national team stage, and 23 years later, the player reaches the 2026 World Cup as the record holder for appearances for Portugal.

Routine of multiple daily naps

According to a report published by the newspaper “The Sun”, Cristiano Ronaldo maintains an unusual sleep routine, taking up to six naps throughout the day and guaranteeing eight hours of sleep at night. For the player, this methodology accelerates muscle recovery and maximizes the benefit of intense training.

An option for not having tattoos

Unlike most of the big names in world football, Cristiano Ronaldo stands out for not having tattoos. The reason for this choice is linked to a social cause: the attacker is a frequent blood donor, and the absence of tattoos eliminates the need for waiting periods to make new donations.

Financial pioneering in global football

Recognized for his unwavering focus on the pitch and meticulous attention to his fitness, Cristiano Ronaldo has also demonstrated great success in the world of finance and as a businessman. He became the first football player in history to surpass the US$1 billion mark in earnings throughout his career while still active, according to data from Forbes, in 2020.

His income includes salaries received at clubs, awards, large advertising contracts, sponsorships, licensing of his CR7 brand, as well as investments and other ventures. Before him, only individual athletes, such as Tiger Woods (golf) and Floyd Mayweather Jr. (boxing), had reached this level.