Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro, a Portugese midfielder, is the world's most well-known and expensive soccer player.

In June 2009 Real Madrid of Spain paid Manchester United of England a record transfer fee of $131 million for the right to sign Ronaldo. The figure does not include the contract the club must now negotiate with Ronaldo, who had joined Manchester United from Sporting Club of Lisbon in 2003 for a now-paltry transfer fee of $24 million.

At Manchester United, one of the most storied clubs in English soccer and winner of three straight titles, Ronaldo was given the coveted No. 7 jersey. At United, it was the shirt worn by such legendary players as George Best, Eric Cantona and David Beckham. With his incredible skill, speed and flamboyant style, Ronaldo was loved and loathed during his time in England. But under the stern tutelage of the club's Scottish manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, Ronaldo matured and thrived.

In the 2007-8 English season, he scored 42 goals in all competitions as the club won the Premier League title and the European Champions League trophy.

In the 2008-9 season, as United again advanced to the Champions League final (losing to Barcelona of Spain, 2-0) Ronaldo played in 53 matches in all competitions and scored 26 goals.

But Ronaldo's ego was growing at United. His detractors cited his tendency to act alone, and to brood when substituted, traits that became potentially divisive. Critics believe he played for himself rather than the club the night United lost its Champions League crown to Barcelona.