Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the most exciting footballers of his generation. Few players have embarked on the type of football journey that he has undertaken in his short but spectacular career. Starring at youth level on his home island of Madeira and earning a big move to Sporting Lisbon aged just 12, he left a small town for a big city and was forced to adapt to a completely different life, miles away from his family. His spirit and natural flair took him into the Sporting first team, attracting the interest of Manchester United, who bought him in the summer of 2003. Incredibly, he arrived at Old Trafford with just one season of first team football under his belt. Coming in for praise and criticism alike from English football fans of all hues, he won over the United fans with his array of tricks, he played an important part in the FA Cup Final win in 2004 and helped engineer the Carling Cup triumph in 2006 as well as inspiring Portugal to a place in the final of Euro 2004. Off the field he had found himself in the glare of the British media as a high-profile footballer dealing with all that status and wealth brings. And he shone for Portugal in the 2006 World Cup, only to provoke the wrath of English supporters with his involvement in the Rooney incident and his famous wink. With the whole of England baying for his blood, it would take a man of real courage and talent to bounce back. Ronaldo did just that, and in fine style. The following season marked the emergence of Ronaldo as a consistent match -winner as his dazzling footwork, excellent attitude and eye for goal inspired United to the Premiership title - the finest achievement of his career to date. His efforts were rewarded as he scooped the PFA Player of the Year and PFA Young Player of the Year double. And he is till only 22, love him or hate him - this book tells the story of a player who always provokes a reaction, and lifts the lid on his colourful life to date.

Specialising in football, Tom Oldfield is a sportswriter for several national newspapers and has reported from many of the top competitions in the last half decade.