Ronaldo - A Biography of a Boy Who Rose Out of Poverty

In October and November 2018, I read the biography of Cristiano Ronaldo. It was an amazing book which I really liked a lot and will keep it in my library as one of the most motivating books I've ever read. Please also note that the book is named Football Book of the Year at the Cross Sports Book Awards 2016. 

 I bought this book with some other books for my son

Although it was a paperback format book, I took notes from the book to my Evernote while reading and then collected them all in one content below.

The book has also another special importance for me. I purchased it from a book store when I was in Romania. So I went out with it a lot as I was away from my family. Here are some of my memories (photos) with the book.

 

I enjoyed it in Business Class flight as well

When I went out for dinner, the book was my mate

Just after the office hour, a quick break with some cheesecake and Ronaldo

From the book "Ronaldo" 

Only part of the truth is told. Whatever we think will be of interest. Or whatever we think will sell best. 

There is no art without obsession. 

If you don't put much in, you don't get much back. 

Everybody takes photographs of the Eiffel Tower, but the key lies in taking the one that nobody has seen before. 

If we were born to be poor, we will be... But be close to your children at the very least. 

Nobody considered it a limitation - it never is when everyone is in the same situation. 

The owner of the ball sets the rules. 

In a poor village, you have no choice but to have character. If you don't, they eat you up. Either you step on them or they step on you.

We didn't achieve it but our son can dream it. 

It is the one who puts it the most hours, perseverance and hard work who ends up achieving his goals in the end. 

Money used as a barometer of status and personal value, perhaps typical comments by a boy who rose out of poverty. 

He isn't the present, he is the future. 

It was a period of transformation. Some were visible and physical, while others were deep and internal. 

When there is passion, there is no place for reason. 

Good players must run, too, it is non-negotiable. 

I drink Red Bull while I buy my friends champagne at 1000 pound plus a bottle. It is no problem - I like my friends to be happy. 

It was a type of fight between alpha males. It ended as they all do: with the coach leaving. No matter how good he is, he can't get you fifty goals a season.

Football is a tool for self-improvement. Why football? Because it is what closest to him.  If his father had worked at a swimming club, maybe he'd be a world champion swimmer. The desire to better yourself and fight is intrinsic, football is circumstantial.