Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro rose from poverty in Portugal to become one of the wealthiest men to ever play football. His father, a poor gardener who drank too much, and his mother, who waited tables and other odd jobs to provide care for four children, recognized his talent early and pulled him from school at a young age so he could devote his boundless energy to the game he loved. Wearing the number seven worn by David Beckham, Ronaldo's speed, footwork, and skills as a forward and a winger have forged him one of the sport's most respected players of all time.