This Day In History: Ronaldo's Professional Debut

It's hard to imagine soccer without Cristiano Ronaldo, who has dominated professional soccer for over two decades. But before he became a household name, he had to start somewhere. On this day in 2002, Ronaldo made his professional debut for Sporting Lisbon at the age of 17. Today, we celebrate this milestone and take a look back at the game that started it all.

Ronaldo's debut game was a Champions League qualifier against Inter Milan on August 14, 2002, exactly 21 years ago. The young player was brought on as a substitute in the second half at the 58th minute mark. The 17-year old Ronaldo made a positive impact in a game that ended up finishing as a 0-0 draw. While not the most eventful game of his career, it illustrated Ronaldo's flair and unmatched confidence. It is fitting that his professional debut came in the Champions League, a competition that he would later dominate, earning him the nickname "Mr. Champions League."

After that debut game, Ronaldo became a regular player for Sporting Lisbon, scoring his first hat-trick in a game against FC Pacos de Ferreira later that year. His performances on the field quickly caught the attention of other European clubs, and in 2003 he signed with Manchester United for a record transfer fee at the time.

During his six years at Manchester United, Ronaldo became a superstar. He won three Premier League titles and a Champions League trophy with the club, and earned his first Ballon d'Or award in 2008. That year, he also helped lead Portugal to the quarterfinals of the European Championships, cementing his status as one of the world's best players.

In 2009, Ronaldo signed with Real Madrid for another record transfer fee, cementing his legacy as one of the most expensive players in soccer history. During his time with Real Madrid, he continued to break records and win accolades, including four Ballon d'Or awards, four Champions League titles, and two La Liga titles. His strength and speed were unparalleled, as each shot was powerful yet purposeful, his play overpowering yet graceful. He also became the club's all-time leading scorer, with an incredible 450 goals in 438 matches, a reign over Europe that hasn't been matched since. 

Ronaldo's legacy extends well beyond his club achievements. He has also led Portugal to unprecedented success on the international stage. In 2016, he helped his team win the European Championship, scoring three goals and leading his team to victory in the final against France. This was their only major international trophy in their history, and was in large part due to Ronaldo's brilliance. Although he was injured in the final, he still coached his team from the sidelines, a competitor no matter what. 

Ronaldo's professional debut may have been a small event in the grand scheme of things, but it marked the beginning of a legendary career that has spanned over two decades. From Sporting Lisbon to Manchester United to Real Madrid and Juventus, Ronaldo has left an indelible mark on the sport of soccer. He is known for his incredible skill, his work ethic, and his unrelenting drive to be the best. As we celebrate his professional debut today, we can look back on Ronaldo's career with admiration and appreciation for all he has accomplished, both on and off the field.