You don’t have to be a big soccer/football fan to know Cristiano Ronaldo. The 32 year old is one of the two best players in the world and has won 4 times the “Ballon d’Or” (Golden Ball) award. But, have you ever wondered why he was given the second name “Ronaldo”? Is there any connection with Brazilian Ronaldo “the phenomenon”?
Well, no, there is not but the story behind the name is bit more surprising.
Cristiano was the fourth child and an unplanned pregnancy for Maria Dolores dos Santos and Jose Dinis Aveiro. When he was born, his mother’s sister, who was working in an orphanage at the time, insisted that the boy should be named Cristiano. His parents agreed but, being a Portuguese, he needed to have a second name as well. (the article continues after the ad)
Because both of them (especially his father) were huge fans of the US actor and President, Ronald Reagan, they agreed to name him Ronaldo, the Portuguese equivalent of Ronald.
So there you go, Cristiano Ronaldo was named after Ronald Reagan!
If you like what you read, then you will definitely love this one: Diego Maradona Now Officially Has His Own Religion “Inglesia Maradoniana”
Photo: Paulding County Area Foundation
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