Which club did Cristiano Ronaldo start his professional football career with?

Cristiano Ronaldo started his professional football career with Sporting CP in Portugal. He made his senior debut for the club in 2002.

Quick Scoop

• Club: Sporting CP.

• First senior appearance: 2002.

• Why it matters: that debut launched the career that later took him to Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, and Al Nassr.

Mini note

Ronaldo joined Sporting’s youth setup before breaking into the first team, so Sporting CP is the answer people usually mean when they ask where his professional career began.