Cristiano Ronaldo

Ronaldo the new Beckham

After a pre-season friendly in August 2003 Manchester United's players were so impressed with Sporting Lisbon's 18-year-old winger they urged coach Alex Ferguson to sign him.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson (R) with Manchester United's striker Cristiano Ronaldo (L) at the training session at the Dragon stadium in Porto 24 February 2004. The training session is a day a head of the clash between FC Porto and Manchester United for the UEFA Champoins League first group, knock out round, first leg. AFP PHOTO Nicolas ASFOURI.

His name was Cristiano Ronaldo and his 22.2 million euros (20 million dollars) move to Old Trafford on a five year deal was an immediate hit with the public.

"It looks like the fans have a new hero," Ferguson said of the player to whom he gave the freshly departed David Beckham's number seven shirt.

Another week on and the most expensive teenager in British football history was called up to the senior Portugal squad, making his debut August 20, 2003 in a 1-0 win over Kazakhstan.

Thriving

Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo gets a shot past Rangers Steven Hughs in tonight's UEFA Champions League clash at Old Trafford, Manchester, United Kingdom 04 November 2003. AFP Photo by Paul Barker

Few are the men of his age playing in any top side but Cristiano Ronaldo reacted so well to the pressure at United he has earned praise from his teammates, coach and the media thanks to consistently brilliant performances.

He has also become one of the leaders in Portugal's talented squad, where he scores more frequently than with United.

Portugal's forward Ronaldo Cristiano (C) jubilates with his teammates after they won the final match of the International Under-21 soccer tournament against Italy, 21 June 2003 at the Mayol stadium in Toulon. Portugal won 3-1. AFP PHOTO GERARD JULIEN

He'll be just 21 when the finals kick off in Germany but Ronaldo is considered one the best, and certainly one of the most exciting, players in Europe today.

Ronaldo enjoyed just one season in the Portuguese top flight with Sporting, making some 25 appearances in the 2002-03 season.

Born on Madeira Island in February 1985 his father called him Ronaldo due to his respect for the former American President Reagan.

He was given a boost ahead of Euro 2004 when Manchester United won the FA Cup on a day when Ronaldo was so good the unforgiving English press hailed him as one of the brightest young talents in European football.

Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo (L) heads the ball past Dutch goalkeeper Edwin Van Der Sar to score the opening goal despite Dutch defender Giovanni Van Bronckhorst (C), 30 June 2004 during their European Nations Championship semi-final football match between Portugal and The Netherlands at the Estadio Jose de Alvalade in Lisbon. AFP PHOTO Hrvoje POLAN

Greece's defender Georgios Seitaridis vies with Portugal's forward Cristiano Ronaldo (R) 12 June 2004 at Dragao stadium in Porto, during their Euro 2004 group A football match at the European Nations championship in Portugal. AFP PHOTO Mladen ANTONOV

Continuing his brilliant form, he shone on the Euro stage helping to inspire Portugal to the final where they were beaten 1-0 by the surprising Greek team but his reputation grew with each of his six performances, two of which were crowned by goals.

The Olympics in Athens were less successful where Portugal suffered defeats against Iraq and Costa Rica, taking the exit door after the qualifying round.

United reached the final of the FA Cup again in 2005 but were beaten by arch rivals Arsenal.

He is now on the verge of his first World Cup campaign in Germany and will be a key component in Portugal's assault on a maiden World Cup triumph.