Cristiano Ronaldo is not only one of the greatest players of all time; he’s an icon. The Real Madrid star is one of the most recognisable figures in the world and is hugely popular all over the planet. Ronaldo is much more than just a great and famous footballer; he is a trendsetter, a cultural icon, a celebrity.
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Ronaldo is an open book: everyone seems to know everything about him. The Portugal international forward’s life and profession are scrutinised on a daily basis. The 32-year-old is followed by over 51 million people on social networking site Twitter – more than Oprah Winfrey and Donald Trump – but if you think that you know all about the former Manchester United star, then think again.
Below are five fascinating things about Ronaldo that you did not know.
Clean Living
Ronaldo is a teetotaller. The Portugal international forward does not drink alcohol after seeing his father battle with the problem. Ronaldo’s father died from liver disease cirrhosis following alcohol abuse. The former Manchester United ace does not smoke either, something that underachieving Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere should try to emulate.
What is even more astonishing is that Ronaldo does not have a single tattoo on his body. Given the fame that the 32-year-old has and his obvious attention to his appearance, it is a surprise that he is not a fan of the body art. The reason is very noble: he donates blood, and tattoos can affect a person’s eligibility to do so due to risks of cross-contamination and hepatitis.
Not a London Fan
London is one of the greatest cities in the world. Back in 2015, as many as 31.5 million people visited the capital. There are museums, galleries, restaurants, Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, Big Ben and so much more. Ronaldo, though, is not a fan of London.
In an interview with The Mirror back in July 2011, the Madrid star said: “If I went from Spain it would be to the Premier League – but not now. First we have to win the Champions League. If I went back to the Premier League it would have to be with a club in the North West. I don’t like London.” One wonders how many people who live in England would prefer Manchester to London.
Love for Bingo
Ronaldo is one of the richest people in the world. Sponsorships deals with Armani, Castrol and Tag Heuer among others combined with his salary from Madrid make him worth over £200 million, but he still plays bingo. While most of us play it for a bit of fun, Ronaldo does – or at least did – to learn English.
Today, this sociability remains one of the key aspects of bingo: even away from the bingo hall, online operators offer live chat capabilities so that users can engage with their fellow players. Some bingo sites, such as Fabulous Bingo, also feature live “chat hosts”, who moderate discussions and promote player interaction. For someone such as Ronaldo who has a busy lifestyle and is recognisable anywhere, perhaps online bingo is one of the most convenient ways to have some fun.
Expelled From School
Getting expelled from school is not something that one would boast about, but now that Ronaldo is successful, rich and famous, he can open up about it. The Portuguese star was popular as a kid, but he was not interested in academia and was expelled from school for throwing a chair at a teacher? Why did he do that? As Ronaldo said, it was because the teacher disrespected him.
Heart Problem
Ronaldo is one of the fittest sportspersons in the world; he is a human specimen. Even Terminator star and former Governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger cannot hide his admiration of the Portuguese, stating that he “has a fantastic physique and great abs”.
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However, when he was only 15 years of age, things did not look that rosy. Ronaldo was diagnosed with racing heart disease – his heart beat was more than normal even when he was resting. The treatment went well, and Ronaldo was back playing in a few days. Now he is a superstar; one of the greatest.
