Cristiano Ronaldo transfer history: Icon shattered world-record fee with Real Madrid move before signing most expensive contract ever

Cristiano Ronaldo is the world's most famous player and throughout his career has made a string of high-profile transfers. 

The Al Nassr superstar is the best goalscorer of all-time and his astonishing ability has meant he has been bought for an incredible amount of money over the years.

Not only have clubs paid unbelievable fees for the now 39-year-old but they have handed out some never-seen-before contracts to the icon. 

From Sporting to Manchester United, a world-record fee and the most-expensive contract ever, talkSPORT.com takes a look at Ronaldo’s transfer history…

“One of the most exciting young players I have ever seen.” 

That is what Sir Alex Ferguson said after signing an 18-year-old Ronaldo from Sporting Lisbon for just over £12m. 

It was after Man United played the Portuguese side that Ferguson and the squad instantly knew they wanted to bring in the forward. 

Speaking about the deal, the iconic Red Devils boss explained: «He is an extremely talented footballer, a two-footed attacker who can play anywhere up front — right, left or through the middle. 

»After we played Sporting last week, the lads in the dressing room talked about him constantly, and on the plane back from the game they urged me to sign him. That's how highly they rated him.”

Chelsea were also interested but it was United who managed to get the deal done and the rest is history…

After six years in Manchester, Ronaldo’s stock had majorly risen and he was widely considered one of the best players in the world. 

He had picked up a Ballon d’Or, and with it came interest fromReal Madrid. 

The Spanish giants agreed a then world-record fee of £80million to sign the Portugal international in what was a groundbreaking move at the time. 

He became the most