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Forbes magazine regularly lists Ronaldo as one of the top three highest-earning athletes every year and estimates that he made more than $800 million in the 2010s alone. With his dizzying array of skills, clubs are willing to pay handsomely to have him wear their colors, and fans willingly shell out their hard-earned cash to buy Ronaldo gear and to watch him live. On the pitch, Ronaldo rarely disappoints. His sublime ball control skills often leave defenders grasping at air as he goes by them. His creativity when he gains space inside the box leaves goalkeepers helpless, able only to guess where the ball is going when it comes off either foot. Fans of Real Madrid can attest to his wizardry. Ronaldo played nine seasons for the Spanish club in La Liga, the top tier of soccer in Spain and one of the best leagues in the world. This was his longest tenure with any club in his career, and he was at the peak of his considerable skills during those years with Los Blancos. More than half of Ronaldo’s career goals came while playing with Madrid. His massive individual accomplishments drove tremendous team success. This has been the case wherever Ronaldo has played. Aside from a short 25-match stint at Porto to start his senior career, every club Ronaldo has played for has won a league championship, at minimum. Collectively, between Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus, Ronaldo’s teams have won seven league titles. At the height of his powers with Madrid, Ronaldo blossomed as a playmaker as well, creating opportunities for his teammates while continuing to fill the net himself. He was voted the best player in the world four times while there. As he enters his late thirties, his game may evolve yet again, as different skills and tactics may be required for Ronaldo to add to his legacy of greatness.

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World Class Footballers: Cristiano Ronaldo