In his adolescence, Cristiano Ronaldo had frizzy hair and an awkward smile… a world apart from the 38-year-old present and five Golden Balls proprietors.

Ronaldo’s childhood visage differed significantly from his current appearance at 38 years of age

Let’s take a look at the “rare and hard to find” childhood photographs of the Portuguese team captain.

The first football registration certificate for Ronaldo

Ronaldo was born into a poor household on the Portuguese island of Madeira. His parents enrolled him at the local club Futebol Andorinha at the age of seven, before he tried his fortunes with Desportivo National.

When Ronaldo was practicing football at his native club Madeira

Even though his family is impoverished, Ronaldo has always known how to dress fashionably.

When he was small, Ronald believed he would become a fisherman, like many other children born in coastal communities. “I never thought I would have a day like today,” the 36-year-old once admitted football had transformed his life and provided him with everything.

Ronaldo was born to caterer Maria Dolores dos Santos and former military doctor Jose Dinis Aveiro.

Ronaldo is the youngest of four siblings in his household. His parents once contemplated not having him out of desperation.

Ronaldo would sometimes taunt Maria by saying, “If she decided to stop having children, who would take care of her now?”

Ronaldo as a young boy, alongside his mother.

Maria once contemplated not giving birth to Ronaldo while she was pregnant.

Ronaldo was also immersed in community activities during his youth.

In 1997, when Ronaldo was 12 years old, he tried out for the renowned Sporting Lisbon team for three days. The Portuguese giants later recruited him for £1,500. During this period, he stayed with Miguel Paixao, and the two have remained lifelong friends.

Ronaldo joined Sporting Lisbon at the age of 12 after a three-day trial that was effective.

Ronaldo resides in Lisbon, away from his family, in order to pursue his ambition of becoming a professional footballer.

Ronaldo outperformed his contemporaries by a wide margin before joining Manchester United at the age of 18.

As a child, Ronaldo enjoyed street racing with automobiles.