This title explores the life of Cristiano Ronaldo, from his early days playing soccer to his triumphs at the highest level. The title also features informative sidebars, fun facts and quotes, a glossary, and further resources. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. SportsZone is an imprint of Abdo Publishing, a division of ABDO.

Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the biggest names in all of sports and one of the most iconic figures in international soccer. This biography covers the hardships that Ronaldo faced as a child, and how he overcame them to become the face of the powerhouse soccer club Real Madrid and the Portuguese national team.

Even though he was born with an otherworldly athletic gift, Cristiano Ronaldo’s early life was anything but easy. A poor kid from Portugal, he was expelled from school at age fourteen and then diagnosed with an abnormal heart condition. But through hard work and an intense desire to succeed, he soon blossomed into one of the greatest soccer players in the world. When he transferred to Real Madrid for a record-breaking salary, Ronaldo transformed himself into a worldwide celebrity, reinventing the ideal of an international sports icon. Sports fans will be inspired by this soccer superstar’s rags-to-riches story.

Even though he was born with an otherworldly athletic gift, Cristiano Ronaldo's early life was anything but easy. A poor kid from Portugal, he was expelled from school at age fourteen and then diagnosed with an abnormal heart condition. Through hard work and an intense desire to succeed, he soon blossomed into one of the greatest soccer players in the world. When he transferred to Real Madrid for a record-breaking salary, Ronaldo transformed himself into a worldwide celebrity, reinventing the ideal of an international sports icon. Sports fans will be inspired by this soccer superstar's rags-to-riches story.

Cristiano Ronaldo has been one of the most captivating stars in professional soccer since his 2003 debut with Manchester United. From leading Real Madrid to championship wins to starring for Portugal's national team, he has become one of the sport's greatest scorers. This captivating biography covers his impoverished childhood, his development as a superstar, and his many acts of charity. Readers will be inspired by the hard work and determination it took for him to become one of the greatest soccer players in the world.

The world’s most popular sport, soccer is a global and cultural phenomenon. The television audience for the 2010 World Cup included nearly half of the world’s population, with viewers in nearly every country. As a reflection of soccer’s significance, the sport impacts countless aspects of the world’s culture, from politics and religion to business and the arts. In The World through Soccer: The Cultural Impact of a Global Sport, Tamir Bar-On utilizes soccer to provide insights into worldwide politics, religion, ethics, marketing, business, leadership, philosophy, and the arts. Bar-On examines the ways in which soccer influences and reflects these aspects of society, and vice versa. Each chapter features representative players, providing specific examples of how soccer comments on and informs our lives. These players—selected from a wide array of eras, countries, and backgrounds—include Diego Maradona, Pelé, Hugo Sánchez, Cha Bum-Kun, Roger Milla, José Luis Chilavert, Zinedine Zidane, Paolo Maldini, Cristiano Ronaldo, Xavi, Neymar, Clint Dempsey, Mia Hamm, and many others. Employing a unique lens to view a variety of topics, The World through Soccer reveals the sport’s profound cultural impact. Combining philosophical, popular, and academic insights about our world, this book is aimed at both soccer fans and academics, offering readers a new perspective into a sport that affects millions.

Profiles the life and career of professional soccer player Cristiano Ronaldo.

This chapter discusses the story of European integration in what is known as the European Union. The decision in 1951 by six European nations to pool coal and steel production under a common authority—the European Coal and Steel Community—marked the beginning of European integration. French statesman and political visionary Robert Schuman proposed the coal and steel community in 1950. The chapter also highlights that the 28-member European Union, built around common policies and shared institutions, has proved robust to many challenges and has accommodated great change used by 18 countries. The European Union was also awarded the 2012 Nobel Peace Prize. The study shows that the 2008 global financial crisis laid bare fault lines, exposing tensions between EU members and stresses and gaps in institutions and policies that Europe’s political leaders are working hard to address. The IMF’s chief for Europe argues that what Europe needs is more integration, not less.

Brazilian soccer superstar Neymar personifies the benefits of working hard to achieve goals, in his case by scoring goals. His achievements on the field prove that passion and dedication to one's pursuits can lead to greatness. As captain of Brazil's team in the 2016 Summer Olympics, he helped Brazil win its first Olympic gold medal. In 2017, Neymar left FC Barcelona to play with Paris Saint-Germain. This biography details his love for the sport, but also outside influences such as his father, who instilled in him a passion for soccer that jump-started one of the most remarkable careers of any athlete in the world.

A GAME-CHANGING AND FASCINATING BOOK ON HOW TO USE WISDOM FROM AROUND THE WORLD TO CREATE A LASTING, POWERFUL SOCCER TEAM, BY ONE OF THE SPORT'S MOST ICONIC AND EFFECTIVE COACHES Jurgen Klinsmann, head coach of the U.S. men's national soccer team, has become a household name after the United States' unprecedentedly strong run at the 2014 World Cup. Klinsmann's reputation is that of a maverick, of an unconventional leader who isn't afraid to challenge traditional notions of coaching, and who will breathe new life into foundering programs through sometimes unpopular -but resoundingly successful -new tactics. In Soccer Without Borders, journalist Erik Kirschbaum lays out Klinsmann's vision for making the U.S. men's soccer team a dominant world power for the first time in its history. Featuring fascinating insights gleaned from Klinsmann's decades of dedicated study - both as a professional striker and as coach of the German national team - this book is an immersive and unparalleled road map for how to build a winning team in the most competitive professional sport on the globe, as well as an infectious tribute to "the most beautiful game" by one of its most adroit students.