Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the most exciting footballers of his generation. Starring at youth level on his home island of Maderia, his spirit and natural flair took him into the Sporting Lisbon first team, attracting the interest of Manchester United, who bought him in the summer of 2003. His dazzling footwork, showmanship and eye for goal not only inspired United to two Premiership titles, but he was United's only player to score in normal time in the 2008 Champions League final, which the Reds won to put the finishing touches to a remarkable double-winning season. His incredible top-scoring season was further rewarded by becoming the FIFA World Player of the Year - and the first player based in the UK to win the award.