We never know what we are destined to be. And Cristiano Ronaldo is no exception as beyond a phenomenal soccer player, he is a human after all. While today, the Portuguese superstar is reaping the fruits of his success as a maestro of the beautiful game, there was a time, before the ‘beginning of the 2000s,’ when the legendary figure himself never imagined becoming a star one day.

From cleaning the streets of Madeira to now being known not just as the greatest soccer player of all time but also as one of the most globally influential figures, CR7 truly changed his fortunes. However, was it something that Ronaldo ever imagined? In a recent interview with the WHOOP podcast, he shockingly disclosed, “I would be lying if I said yes. At first, I did not feel that way. Maybe then, at the beginning of the 2000s, I began to feel that everything would become different.” 

Perhaps it was the faith and belief that Ronaldo put in himself that led him to tread a soccer path. With time, talent and skill developed gradually which today led him to reach this stage. Notably, it all started for a young Cris at the Portuguese side, Andorinha Youth. Later joining Nacional Youth, he rose through the ranks to join Sporting CP, which years later opened his door to Manchester United. Rest was history as he further went on to achieve glory in Europe.

He spent the majority of his career with Real Madrid and later joined Juventus to seek a new challenge. A second spell with the Red Devils led him to join Al Nassr, where he currently plays. While Ronaldo wasn’t sure about pursuing a career as a professional soccer player, his mum always had confidence in her beloved son.

Dolores Aveiro always knew Cristiano Ronaldo was ‘born‘ with a special gift 

Dolores Aveiro once reminisced about Cristiano Ronaldo’s childhood, noting his early signs of greatness. In a conversation with Portuguese TV host Nuno Markl, his mother recalled a moment when a young Ronaldo declined a bicycle she offered him, asserting, “Oh mother, I’m no baby!” Instead, he showed more enthusiasm for a soccer ball. According to the 67-year-old, He preferred spending his time outside with the ball rather than indoors watching TV. 

She told how Ronaldo would leave the house in the morning and return only at night for dinner, adding, “He was born with that gift.” While insisting the role of mothers is to support their children to pursue their interests, Dolores added, “Mothers are the ones who have to set an example for their children. When I saw Ronaldo playing as a little boy, I realized he had a gift for that.” That’s the greatness of a mother that paved the path for Cristiano Ronaldo to turn out to be what he is today.