Ronaldo emerged from Sporting CP before joining Manchester United in 2003. At United he developed from a wide attacker into one of the leading goalscorers in world football, winning major English and European honours. His 2009 move to Real Madrid opened the most prolific club phase of his career, including repeated Champions League success and a long-running scoring rivalry with Lionel Messi. He later played for Juventus and returned to Manchester United before continuing his career outside Europe.

At international level Ronaldo became the central figure of Portugal's modern era. His European club record is especially significant: UEFA lists him as the all-time leading scorer in the Champions League, with 140 goals in the competition, and as a five-time winner. Footballopedia uses his page as a junction between Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, Portugal, the Champions League, the Premier League, La Liga and Serie A, allowing his career to connect multiple major competition and club graphs.