Why is Ronaldo called C7? The Story Behind Football‘s Most Famous Nickname - 33rd Square (2024)

Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro is one of the most recognized and influential athletes on the planet. The Portuguese striker is simply known as "CR7" to millions of adoring football fans. But how did Ronaldo become so closely tied to the number 7 jersey over the course of his illustrious career? As a football statistics expert, I‘ll provide an in-depth look at the meaning behind the CR7 nickname and brand that has made Ronaldo a household name.

CR7: Blending Name and Number for a Catchy Nickname

Ronaldo‘s CR7 moniker is a fusion of his initials and squad number. The "C" is for Cristiano, his first name, while the "R" represents his famous surname Ronaldo. The 7 of course refers to the jersey number he wears for club and country. This blend of name and number created a short, catchy nickname that encapsulates Ronaldo‘s identity.

Unlike "King Leo" Messi or "Mr. Champions League" Ramos, CR7 immediately tells you who it refers to without ambiguity. It‘s marketing brilliance in its simplicity and memorability. No wonder it has been embraced by fans and media worldwide.

The Significance of the Number 7 Shirt in Football

In the beautiful game, the #7 jersey holds a mythical status shared only by a few other numbers like 10 or 9. It is traditionally worn by right-sided wingers and second strikers – attackers who beat defenders with flair and score goals aplenty.

As the table above shows, some of football‘s greatest showmen and talents have donned the iconic #7, entwining it with exceptional ability, leadership, and champion mentality.

Wearing number 7 signals Ronaldo‘s confidence that he deserves to be ranked among these legends who played the beautiful game the right way.

Ronaldo‘s Close Association with Number 7 at Club Level

Ronaldo‘s relationship with the number 7 shirt began early in his career and gained significance over time:

• Sporting CP (2002-03) – Assigned #28 in his first senior season, an uncommon number for an attacker.

• Manchester United (2003-2009) – Iconic #7 shirt passed down from legends like George Best, Bryan Robson, and David Beckham. Generated star power and pressure to live up to the giants of the past.

  See Also

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• Real Madrid (2009-2018) – Unavailable #7 belonged to captain Raul in Ronaldo‘s first season. Wearing #9 put CR7 out of his comfort zone initially. Inherited the #7 from 2010-2018 after Raul‘s departure, cementing his place among Real‘s historic #7s.

Based on accounts in Ronaldo‘s autobiographies, wearing number 7 gave him a heightened sense of playing with history on his back and fueled his motivation to meet lofty expectations.

Ronaldo‘s stats wearing the #7 dwarf his output in other numbers:

The goalscoring disparity shows how the #7 empowered Ronaldo‘s peak performance.

The Story Behind Ronaldo‘s "Siu" Goal Celebration

Ronaldo‘s famous goal celebration has its own backstory directly tied to the CR7 brand. Upon scoring, Ronaldo leaps, spins 180 degrees in mid-air, and lands shouting "Siu!" This cry of "Siu" comes from the Portuguese word "sim," meaning "yes!" It is an expression of joy, relief, and triumph after hitting the back of the net.

Fans now chant "Siu" themselves whenever Ronaldo scores and imitate his signature mid-air pirouette. This "Siu" celebration encapsulates the showmanship, talent, and larger-than-life persona associated with CR7. The CR7 logo has integrated the iconic "Siu" into designs.

For Ronaldo, "Siu" accompanies his biggest moments and has become part of his identity. He even got "Siu" trademarked in 2021 to protect this key part of his brand.

The Unmistakable CR7 Brand Building a Business Empire

Beyond football, CR7 represents a multimillion dollar international brand rooted in Ronaldo‘s athletic success and charisma. The CR7 image rights company founded in 2013 manages use of Ronaldo‘s name, nickname, and persona in lucrative endorsem*nt deals and partnerships.

Major sponsors include Nike, Armani, TAG Heuer, Herbalife, and American Tourister who leverage Ronaldo‘s elite sportsmanship with his stylish playboy image. CR7 also encompasses a successful fashion line, hotels, gyms, and museums capitalizing on the star power Ronaldo brings.

Forbes estimates earnings from the CR7 brand empire account for 40% of Ronaldo‘s total yearly income, proof of its exponential business growth. CR7 turned Ronaldo‘s on-field greatness into enduring financial success.

The Ronaldo-Messi GOAT Debate Rages On

Any conversation about the Greatest of All Time inevitably comes down to Ronaldo versus Messi. Their stats and records make them near equals:

• Ronaldo: 5 Ballon d‘Ors, 1 Euros, 5 Champions Leagues

• Messi: 7 Ballon d‘Ors, 1 Copa America, 4 Champions Leagues

Both have styles of play that dazzle fans with outrageous skill moves and stunning goals. I see Messi as a magically gifted natural talent, while Ronaldo‘s dedication, work ethic and commitment set him apart.

The fact Ronaldo competes so closely with Messi despite lacking natural talent speaks volumes about his mentality. And wearing the iconic #7 jersey adds to Ronaldo‘s mystique and legend in the GOAT debate.

For me, Ronaldo‘s collection of historic moments, like his hat trick against Spain at the World Cup and Euro 2016 triumph with Portugal, tip the scales in his favor. In iconic #7 moments, Ronaldo stands above the rest.

Conclusion – CR7 Is Ronaldo‘s Calling Card to the World

In summary, the CR7 nickname encapsulates the Ronaldo brand that billions idolize. The fusion of Ronaldo‘s initials with football‘s mythical #7 jersey forever intertwines his career with the legends of the past. CR7 signals Ronaldo‘s flair, goalscoring brilliance, championships and records that stack up against the greats. Off the pitch, CR7 represents a business empire profiting from his athletic success and charm. For me, the #7 elevates Ronaldo‘s aura to GOAT status. Whenever I see CR7, I‘m reminded of his magical talents that transformed football forever.

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