Table of contents
Cristiano Ronaldo's Struggle and 'McDonald's Girl' Envy
Cristiano Ronaldo（Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro, known as Cairo, is one of the most outstanding players in contemporary soccer history. His history of struggle begins withMadeira IslandThe legendary journey from his impoverished childhood to global soccer superstar has been full of challenges and splendor. He has not only won five Ballon d'Ors and five Champions Leagues with his amazing talent and perseverance, but also became the first male player to score 900 goals in 2024, and as of August 2025, he has already scored more than 938 goals in his career, and 138 goals in international matches, which is a record number of goals. Behind his achievements, however, is a touching story: 22 years ago, three McDonald's Girls gave him a free burger at a time when he was at his lowest ebb, a gesture he will remember for the rest of his life. This article traces Ronaldo's struggle, chronologically organizing his life and career milestones, and focusing on his quest for the McDonald's Girls, while graphically illustrating key events.
In an interview with ITV presenter Piers Morgan in 2019, Ronaldo gave a moving reminder of his time as a youth trainee at Sporting Lisbon. At the age of 12, he and his teammates used to knock on the back door of a McDonald's restaurant in Lisbon late at night, asking for free burgers. An employee named Edna and two other female coworkers used to give the young players free burgers with leftovers. Ronaldo said in an interview that these small acts of kindness meant a lot to him at a time when he was struggling financially, and that he always hoped to find them and invite them to dinner to show his appreciation.
The story gained a lot of attention after the interview aired. A few days later, a married mother named Paula Leca came forward to say that she was one of the McDonald's employees who gave Ronaldo the burger. She recalled:
"They would show up at the door of the restaurant and when we had extra burgers, the manager would allow us to give them to these kids. One of the boys was Cristiano Ronaldo, who was probably the shyest. It happened almost every night."
Paula also mentioned that she told her son about the incident, but he didn't believe her at first, thinking that "Mom gave Ronaldo a burger" sounded like a fantasy. Her husband, on the other hand, knew about it because he sometimes picked her up from work late at night and saw the young players in person. Paula says that if Ronaldo did ask her to dinner, she would gladly accept.
This heartwarming reminiscence not only shows the humble side of Ronaldo, but also gives the public a sense of his gratitude for the past.
Childhood and Early Struggles (1985-2002): From Poverty to Hope
1985-1997: A Poor Childhood and the Enlightenment of Soccer
Cristiano Ronaldo was born on February 5, 1985 in Funchal, Madeira, Portugal, the oldest of four children. His father, José Dinis Aveiro, is an Earthquakes equipment manager with a long history of alcoholism, and his mother, Maria Dolores, is a cook and cleaner who struggles to make ends meet. The Ronaldos lived in a tin-roofed shack and struggled to make ends meet. As a child, he skipped school to play soccer and even missed meals, but he honed his skills as a soccer player.
During this period, Ronaldo faced multiple challenges: poverty, his father's alcoholism, his mother's hard work, and his own health problems. 15 years old, he was diagnosed with an arrhythmia that required a potentially life-threatening laser surgery. The surgery was successful and allowed him to pursue his soccer dreams. Being poor," he later recalled, "made me want to succeed more. This hunger drove him to excel in street soccer.
In 1992, at the age of seven, Ronaldo joined his father's Andorinha amateur team and began training formally, in 1995 he moved to the Nacional where he became captain after just one year and showed leadership qualities, and in 1997, at the age of twelve, he left home to go to Lisbon on a three-day trial with Sporting CP for £1,500. In 1997, at the age of 12, he attended a three-day trial at Sporting CP in Lisbon and signed a £1,500 contract to leave his home town for Lisbon. This was the first major change in his life, but it brought with it loneliness and homesickness, and he even considered giving up. However, the encouragement of his mother and his own perseverance kept him going.
1997-2002: The Grace of McDonald's Girls
During his youth training at Sporting Lisbon, Ronaldo's financial situation remained difficult. He and his teammates were often hungry after training, but had no money to buy food. At the age of 12, he used to beg for a free burger at a McDonald's in Lisbon. Three young female sales clerks - Edna and two other unnamed "McDonald's girls" - were kind enough to sneak him and his teammates leftover burgers. The warmth stuck with Ronaldo. We were hungry," he recalled years later, "and I'll always be grateful for their kindness. The experience became one of the warmest memories of his childhood, and planted the seeds of his search for these benefactors.
Lisbon Athletics Period (2002-2003): Career Beginnings
Ronaldo made his debut for the Sporting Lisbon first team in 2002 at the age of 17. He showed his speed and skill when he came on as a substitute in the UEFA Champions League qualifying match against Internacional Milan on August 14, and made his debut in the Portuguese Superliga against Braga on September 29, before scoring twice against Moreirense on October 7 to help the team to a 3-0 win and reach the milestone of the first goal of his professional career.
In the 2002-2003 season, he scored 5 goals in 25 games, attracting the attention of the European giants, and on August 6, 2003, in a friendly match between Athletic Lisbon and Manchester United, he put in an impressive performance, helping the team to a 3-1 victory. United coach Alex Ferguson immediately decided to sign him. This was the year he went from local team to the international stage, laying the foundations for a future star.
Manchester United (2003-2009): From Rising Star to World Class
2003-2006: Adaptation and Growth
On August 12, 2003, Ronaldo made a record teenage transfer to Manchester United for £12.24 million, taking over the No. 7 shirt from David Beckham, making his Premier League debut against Bolton on August 16 to a standing ovation, and scoring his first goal in a 3-0 win over Portsmouth on November 1. He helped United to their first trophy of the 2003-2004 season, winning the FA Cup (3-0 against Millwall, May 22), and his first trophy, the FA Cup, with a 3-2 win over Milwaukee. In the 2003-2004 season, he helped Manchester United win the FA Cup (3-0 over Millwall on May 22), winning his first trophy.
He scored nine goals in the 2004-2005 season, but was criticized for his fancy style of play, which made adapting to the intensity of the Premier League a challenge, and was devastated by the death of his father in September 2005 due to a kidney disease, but he turned his grief into motivation. He won the League Cup in the 2005-2006 season (4-0 against Wigan), and made a name for himself at the World Cup in 2006, despite being booed by English fans for the "blinking incident" (Rooney's red card). Rooney's red card controversy) was booed by English fans.
2006-2009: Peak and Glory
In the 2006-2007 season, Ronaldo scored 23 goals to help Manchester United win the Premier League and was named PFA Player of the Year. 2007-2008 was a breakout season, as he scored 42 goals to win the Premier League Golden Boot and the European Golden Boot, and helped United win both the Premier League and the Champions League (with a penalty shootout win over Chelsea on May 21). 2008 was the year he was honored with the Ballon d'Or and the FIFA Mr. World Player of the Year, making him the first United winner of the Golden Ball since 1968. In 2008, he won the Ballon d'Or and the FIFA World Footballer of the Year, making him Manchester United's first Ballon d'Or winner since 1968, and in the 2008-2009 season, he scored 26 goals to win his third Premier League and League Cup, but lost the Champions League final to Barcelona.
At Manchester United, he scored 118 goals in 292 appearances, winning 3 Premier League matches and 1 Champions League match, transforming him into a highly effective goal scorer. Challenges included injuries, transfer rumors and public pressure, but he responded with discipline and hard work.
The Real Madrid Period (2009-2018): Making History
2009-2013: Adaptation and Breakthrough
In July 2009, Ronaldo moved to Real Madrid for a world-record £80 million (€94 million), greeted by 80,000 fans, and scored on his debut against Deportivo La Coruna on August 29. 33 goals were scored in the 2009-2010 season, and 53 goals in the 2010-2011 season, winning the Copa del Rey, the Pizzeria Prize for 40 goals in the league, and the European Golden Boot. 2011-2012 season, he scored 60 goals to help Real Madrid win the La Liga Championship (100 points in the league). In the 2011-2012 season, he scored 60 goals to help Real Madrid win the La Liga Championship (100 points in the league), and 55 goals in the 2012-2013 season to win the Spanish Super Cup and reach the 200-goal milestone for Real Madrid.
2013-2018: The Peak of Legend
In the 2013-2014 season, when he was under contract until 2018, he scored 51 goals to help Real Madrid win its 10th Champions League (La Décima) and a record 17 goals in the Champions League, winning the 2013 Ballon d'Or. In the 2014-2015 season, he scored 61 goals to win the UEFA Premier League and the Club World Cup, and 51 goals to win the Champions League and 16 goals in the Champions League in the 2015-2016 season, and 42 goals to win La Liga and the Champions League, reaching the milestone of 100 Champions League goals. In the 2016-2017 season, 42 goals, won La Liga and the Champions League, reached the milestone of 100 Champions League goals, won the 2016 and 2017 Ballon d'Or. In the 2017-2018 season, 44 goals, helped Real Madrid to three consecutive Champions Leagues, totaling 450 goals in 438 matches, and became Real Madrid's all-time leading goal scorer.
During this period, he won 4 Champions League, 2 La Liga and 4 Ballon d'Or awards, but faced knee injuries, a tax controversy (charged with tax evasion of 14.7 million euros in 2017 and later fined and suspended) and a rape charge (2009 incident, dropped in 2019).
Juventus period (2018-2021): challenging the new league
On July 10, 2018, Ronaldo moved to Juventus for €100 million. 28 goals in the 2018-2019 season, winning Serie A and the Serie A Premier League, and being named Serie A MVP. 37 goals in the 2019-2020 season, winning Serie A and reaching the 700-goal milestone. 36 goals in the 2020-2021 season, winning the Coppa Serie A, but being eliminated from the Champions League early on, and with the epidemic and pressure on the team posing a challenge. Total of 101 goals in 134 games.
Return to Manchester United and the Controversy (2021-2022)
In August 2021, Ronaldo returned to Manchester United, scoring 24 goals in his first season, but the team failed to win a title, and in November 2022, he was interviewed by Piers Morgan and criticized his coach, Ten Hags, and the club, leading to the termination of his contract. This was a low point in his career, but one that revealed his outspoken personality.
The Al Nasr Period (2023-Present): Continuing the Legacy
On December 30, 2022, Ronaldo signed with Al Nasr for $200 million per year until June 2025. scored 35 league goals in the 2023 season, reaching the 900-goal milestone on September 5, 2024. scored 32 goals and 10 assists in 38 matches in 2025 through June. renewed his contract for two more years in June 2024 for $468 million per year. He has stated that he plans to retire in 2-3 years or play in the 2026 World Cup.
National team career (2003-present)
Ronaldo made his national team debut on August 20, 2003, finished second at Euro 2004 and fourth at World Cup 2006, won Euro 2016 and inspired his teammates in the final despite being injured, scored a hat-trick at World Cup 2018, scored a record 138 goals at Euro 2024, and in 2025 led Portugal to the national league.
Looking for "McDonald's Girls" (2019-2025)
In September 2019, Ronaldo made his first public reference to the 'McDonald's Girls' in an interview with Piers Morgan, stating that he wished to find the three women who helped him back in the day, particularly a woman named Edna, in order to repay their kindness. I used to go to McDonald's when I was 12 years old and ask for a burger, and they would always give us leftovers, and I would love to have them over for dinner," he recalled. He made an appeal through the media to find the three benefactors.
The story quickly spread and touched fans around the world. According to reports such as ETtoday, Ronaldo's childhood poverty contrasted sharply with the kindness, highlighting his gratitude. As of August 2025, public information does not confirm whether he found Edna or the other two women, but the story has become one of the warmest chapters in his struggle, showing that he never forgot the kindness he showed at the beginning.
Key Milestones Chart
| years | milestone |
|---|---|
| 1985-1997 | Born in Madeira, joins Andorinia and the national team, undergoes arrhythmia surgery, signs with Sporting Lisbon, meets "McDonald's Girl". |
| 2002-2003 | Five goals on his debut for Sporting Lisbon and a move to Manchester United. |
| 2003-2009 | He scored 118 goals for Manchester United, won 3 Premier League and 1 Champions League, and was awarded the Ballon d'Or in 2008. |
| 2009-2018 | Real Madrid scores 450 goals, wins 4 Champions Leagues, 2 La Ligas, 4 Ballon d'Ors and seeks 'McDonald's Girl' for 2019. |
| 2018-2021 | Juve scored 101 goals, won Serie A twice and reached the 700 goal milestone. |
| 2021-2022 | Returned to Manchester United, scored 24 goals and left the team due to an interview dispute. |
| 2023-2025 | Al Nasr, who reached the 900-goal and 935-goal milestones, renewed his contract and plans to retire. |
Timeline: Ronaldo's Critical Life Stages
| years | Age | event |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | 0 years old. | Cristiano Ronaldo was born in Funchal, Madeira, Portugal, the youngest child in his family, and grew up in an ordinary family of modest means. |
| 1992 | Seven years old. | He joined the local amateur soccer team, Andorinha, and began to show his talent for soccer. |
| 1997 | 12 years old. | Joined Sporting CP's youth camp in Lisbon, Portugal, and left his hometown to start his professional soccer career. |
| 2002 | Seventeen. | Made his debut for the Lisbon Athletic first team and officially started his professional career. |
| 2003 | 18 years old. | He became the first Portuguese player in Manchester United's history when he moved to the Premier League for £12.2 million. |
| 2008 | Twenty-three. | He won his first Ballon d'Or, became the world's best player and helped Manchester United win the Champions League. |
| 2009 | Twenty-four. | He moved to Real Madrid for £80 million, the highest transfer fee in world football at the time. |
| 2013-2017 | – | He won the Ballon d'Or for the fifth consecutive year, making him one of the most frequent winners of the award in history. |
| 2018 | 33 years old. | Transferred to Juventus in Serie A and continues to perform at a high level in the top flight. |
| 2019 | 34 years old. | In an ITV interview, he reminisced about his childhood, mentioning his experience of asking McDonald's staff for a free burger during his youth training at Athletic Lisbon. |
| 2021 | 36 years old. | Returned to Manchester United and went on to set a record for goals in the Premier League. |
| 2022 | 37 years old. | Transferred to Riyadh Victory in Saudi Arabia to start a new chapter in his professional career. |
| 2025 | 40 years old. | He is still active in the professional game and continues to challenge himself as a long-lasting legend in the soccer world. |
Summarize
Cristiano Ronaldo's struggle is an example of how to go from poverty to legend. From a tin shack on the island of Madeira to the world stage, with talent, discipline and perseverance, he has broken countless records and become one of the greatest players in the history of soccer. 22 years ago, the kindness of the "McDonald's girl" became a touch of warmth in the midst of his poverty-stricken childhood, and it also demonstrated his unforgettable qualities. Although the story of his search for his benefactor has yet to reach a definitive conclusion, it is the heart of gratitude that gives his legend its human face. His story is an inspiration to the world, proving that no matter how low the starting point is, as long as one persists, one's dreams can eventually come true.
Further reading:
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