From Reagan to Records: The Untold Story Behind Cristiano Ronaldo’s Name

For many fans, Cristiano Ronaldo is synonymous with football greatness a global icon whose name echoes across stadiums and screens. But few know the unusual story behind that very name.
Born in Madeira, Portugal, the football star was christened Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro. His father, José Dinis Aveiro, a devoted football fan and admirer of American politics, named him after Ronald Reagan, the former Hollywood actor who went on to become the 40th President of the United States.
This personal touch adds a cinematic twist to Ronaldo’s already movie-like life. From humble beginnings to becoming one of the richest and most decorated athletes in history, his journey has played out like a blockbuster filled with record-breaking transfers, World Cup goals, and cultural immortality.
Today, Ronaldo’s legacy is not only preserved on the pitch but also in his CR7 Museum in Madeira.
There, fans can walk through his glittering career, marvel at his Ballon d’Or trophies, and soak in the story of a boy whose name inspired by an American president became a brand known across the world.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s life may read like fiction, but every chapter proves why he remains one of the most extraordinary figures in modern sport.