He started out as a skinny winger with floppy hair, quick feet and outrageous skills, wowing the world at the age of 17 after moving to Manchester United. He developed at Real Madrid into perhaps the most famous athlete on the planet and one of soccer’s greatest ever goal-scorers — and is still going strong heading into his fifth decade.

The Portuguese may be coming to the end of his time as a footballer but his influence is only likely to grow from here

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have been at the center of soccer's GOAT debate for nearly two decades. Between them, they have 1,773 goals, nine Champions League titles and 13 Ballon d'Or awards.