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Chelsea
Chelsea FC.svg
Full name Chelsea Football Club
Nickname(s) The Blues, The Pensioners
Founded 10 March 1905; 108 years ago[1]
Ground Stamford Bridge,
Fulham, London
- Capacity 41,837[2]
Owner Roman Abramovich
Chairman Bruce Buck
Manager José Mourinho
League Premier League
2012–13 Premier League, 3rd
Website Club home page

Home colours

Away colours

Third colours
Current season
Chelsea Football Club /ˈtʃɛlsiː/ is an English football club based in Fulham, London. Founded in 1905, they play in the English Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Their home is the 41,837-seat[2] Stamford Bridge stadium, where they have played since their establishment.
Chelsea had their first major success in 1955, when they won the league championship, and won various cup competitions during the 1960s, 1970s, 1990s and 2000s. The club has enjoyed its greatest period of success in the past two decades, winning 15 recent major trophies since 1997.[3] Domestically, Chelsea have won four league titles, seven FA Cups, four League Cups and four FA Community Shields, while in continental competitions they have won two UEFA Cup Winners' Cups, one UEFA Super Cup, one UEFA Europa League and one UEFA Champions League. Chelsea are the only London club to win the UEFA Champions League,[4] one of four clubs, and the only British club, to have won all three main UEFA club competitions, and also the first club to hold two major European titles simultaneously.[5][6]
Chelsea's regular kit colours are royal blue shirts and shorts with white socks. The club's crest has been changed several times in attempts to re-brand the club and modernise its image. The current crest, featuring a ceremonial lion rampant regardant holding a staff, is a modification of the one introduced in the early 1950s.[7] The club has sustained the fifth highest average all-time attendance in English football.[8] Their average home gate for the 2012–13 season was 41,462, the sixth highest in the Premier League.[9] Since July 2003, Chelsea have been owned by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich.[10] In April 2013 it was ranked by Forbes Magazine as the seventh most valuable football club in the world, at £588 million ($901 million), an increase of 18% from the previous year.[11][12]
Contents [hide]
1 History
2 Stadium
3 Crest and colours
3.1 Crest
3.2 Colours
4 Support
4.1 Rivalries
5 Records
6 Ownership and finances
7 Chelsea Ladies
8 Popular culture
9 Players
9.1 First team squad
9.2 Out on loan
9.3 Reserves and Academy
9.3.1 Out on loan
10 Player of the Year
11 Notable managers
12 Coaching staff
13 Management
14 Honours
14.1 Domestic
14.1.1 Leagues
14.1.2 Cups
14.2 European
15 Notes
16 Footnotes
17 References
18 External links
History

Main article: History of Chelsea F.C.

The first Chelsea team in September 1905
In 1904 Gus Mears acquired the Stamford Bridge athletics stadium with the aim of turning it into a football ground. An offer to lease it to nearby Fulham was turned down, so Mears opted to found his own club to use the stadium. As there was already a team named Fulham in the borough, the name of the adjacent borough of Chelsea was chosen for the new club; names like Kensington FC, Stamford Bridge FC and London FC were also considered.[13] Chelsea were founded on 10 March 1905 at The Rising Sun pub (now The Butcher's Hook),[1] opposite the present-day main entrance to the ground on Fulham Road, and were elected to the Football League shortly afterwards.
The club won promotion to the First Division in their second season, and yo-yoed between the First and Second Divisions in their early years. They reached the 1915 FA Cup Final, where they lost to Sheffield United at Old Trafford, and finished 3rd in the First Division in 1920, the club's best league campaign to that point.[14] Chelsea attracted large crowds[15] and had a reputation for signing big-name players,[16] but success continued to elude the club in the inter-war years. Former Arsenal and England centre-forward Ted Drake became manager in 1952 and proceeded to modernise the club. He removed the club's Chelsea pensioner crest, improved the youth set-up and training regime, rebuilt the side with shrewd signings from the lower divisions and amateur leagues, and led Chelsea to their first major trophy success – the League championship – in 1954–55. The following season saw UEFA create the European Champions' Cup, but after objections from The Football League and the FA Chelsea were persuaded to withdraw from the competition before it started.[17] Chelsea failed to build on this success, and spent the remainder of the 1950s in mid-table. Drake was dismissed in 1961 and replaced by player-coach Tommy Docherty.

Chart showing the progress of Chelsea's league finishes from 1905 to 1906 season to 2007–08 season
Docherty built a new team around the group of talented young players emerging from the club's youth set-up and Chelsea challenged for honours throughout the 1960s, enduring several near-misses. They were on course for a treble of League, FA Cup and League Cup going into the final stages of the 1964–65 season, winning the League Cup but faltering late on in the other two.[18] In three seasons the side were beaten in three major semi-finals and were FA Cup runners-up. Under Docherty's successor, Dave Sexton, Chelsea won the FA Cup in 1970, beating Leeds United 2–1 in a final replay. Chelsea took their first European honour, a UEFA Cup Winners' Cup triumph, the following year, with another replayed win, this time over Real Madrid in Athens.
The late 1970s through to the 1980s was a turbulent period for Chelsea. An ambitious redevelopment of Stamford Bridge threatened the financial stability of the club,[19] star players were sold and the team were relegated. Further problems were caused by a notorious hooligan element among the support, which was to plague the club throughout the decade.[20] In 1982, Chelsea were, at the nadir of their fortunes, acquired by Ken Bates for the nominal sum of £1, although by now the Stamford Bridge freehold had been sold to property developers, meaning the club faced losing their home.[21] On the pitch, the team had fared little better, coming close to relegation to the Third Division for the first time, but in 1983 manager John Neal put together an impressive new team for minimal outlay. Chelsea won the Second Division title in 1983–84 and established themselves in the top division, before being relegated again in 1988. The club bounced back immediately by winning the Second Division championship in 1988–89.

Chelsea players celebrate their first UEFA Champions League title
After a long-running legal battle, Bates reunited the stadium freehold with the club in 1992 by doing a deal with the banks of the property developers, who had been bankrupted by a market crash.[22] Chelsea's form in the new Premier League was unconvincing, although they did reach the 1994 FA Cup Final with Glenn Hoddle. It was not until the appointment of Ruud Gullit as player-manager in 1996 that their fortunes changed. He added several top international players to the side, as the club won the FA Cup in 1997 and established themselves as one of England's top sides again. Gullit was replaced by Gianluca Vialli, who led the team to victory in the League Cup Final, the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup Final and the UEFA Super Cup in 1998, the FA Cup in 2000 and their first appearance in the UEFA Champions League. Vialli was sacked in favour of Claudio Ranieri, who guided Chelsea to the 2002 FA Cup Final and Champions League qualification in 2002–03.
In June 2003, Bates sold Chelsea to Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich for £140 million.[10] Over £100 million was spent on new players, but Ranieri was unable to deliver any trophies,[23] and was replaced by José Mourinho.[24] Under Mourinho, Chelsea became the fifth English team to win back-to-back league championships since the Second World War (2004–05 and 2005–06),[25] in addition to winning an FA Cup (2007) and two League Cups (2005 and 2007). Mourinho was replaced by Avram Grant,[26] who led the club to their first UEFA Champions League final, which they lost on penalties to Manchester United. In 2009, Guus Hiddink guided Chelsea to another FA Cup success,[27] and in 2009–10, his successor Carlo Ancelotti led them to their first league and FA Cup "Double", becoming the first English top-flight club to score 100 league goals in a season since 1963.[28] In 2012 caretaker manager Roberto Di Matteo led Chelsea to their seventh FA Cup,[29] and their first UEFA Champions League title, beating Bayern Munich 4–3 on penalties,[30] the first London club to win the trophy.[30] A year later Chelsea won the UEFA Europa League,[31] becoming the first club to hold two major European titles simultaneously and one of four clubs, and the only British club, to have won all three of UEFA's major club competitions.[32]
Stadium

Main article: Stamford Bridge (stadium)
Stamford Bridge
The Bridge
Stamford Bridge - West Stand.jpg
Location Fulham Road,
Fulham
London,
England,
SW6 1HS
Opened 28 April 1877[33]
Renovated 1904–1905, 1990s
Owner Chelsea Pitch Owners plc
Operator Chelsea F.C.
Architect Archibald Leitch (1887)
Capacity 41,837-seat[2]
Field dimensions 103 x 67 metres (112.6 x 73.3 yards)[2]
Tenants
London Athletics Club (1877–1904)
Chelsea F.C. (1905–present)
Chelsea have only ever had one home ground, Stamford Bridge, where they have played since foundation. It was officially opened on 28 April 1877 and for the first 28 years of its existence it was used almost exclusively by the London Athletics Club as an arena for athletics meetings and not at all for football. In 1904 the ground was acquired by businessman Gus Mears and his brother Joseph, who had also purchased nearby land (formerly a large market garden) with the aim of staging football matches on the now 12.5 acre (51,000 m²) site.[33] Stamford Bridge was designed for the Mears family by the noted football architect Archibald Leitch, who had also designed Ibrox, Celtic Park and Hampden Park.[34] Most football clubs were founded first, and then sought grounds in which to play, but Chelsea were founded for Stamford Bridge.
Starting with an open bowl-like design and one covered terrace, Stamford Bridge had an original capacity of around 100,000.[33] The early 1930s saw the construction of a terrace on the southern part of the ground with a roof that covered around one fifth of the stand. It eventually became known as the "Shed End", the home of Chelsea's most loyal and vocal supporters, particularly during the 1960s, 70s and 80s. The exact origins of the name are unclear, but the fact that the roof looked like a corrugated iron shed roof played a part.[33]
In the early 1970s the club's owners announced a modernisation of Stamford Bridge with plans for a state-of-the-art 50,000 all-seater stadium.[33] Work began on the East Stand in 1972 but the project was beset with problems and was never completed; the cost brought the club close to bankruptcy, culminating in the freehold being sold to property developers. Following a long legal battle, it was not until the mid-1990s that Chelsea's future at the stadium was secured and renovation work resumed.[33] The north, west and southern parts of the ground were converted into all-seater stands and moved closer to the pitch, a process completed by 2001.
When Stamford Bridge was redeveloped in the Ken Bates era many additional features were added to the complex including two hotels, apartments, bars, restaurants, the Chelsea Megastore, and an interactive visitor attraction called Chelsea World of Sport. The intention was that these facilities would provide extra revenue to support the football side of the business, but they were less successful than hoped and before the Abramovich takeover in 2003 the debt taken on to finance them was a major burden on the club. Soon after the takeover a decision was taken to drop the "Chelsea Village" brand and refocus on Chelsea as a football club. However, the stadium is sometimes still referred to as part of "Chelsea Village" or "The Village".

Chelsea vs. West Bromwich Albion at Stamford Bridge on 23 September 1905; Chelsea won 1–0.
The Stamford Bridge freehold, the pitch, the turnstiles and Chelsea's naming rights are now owned by Chelsea Pitch Owners, a non-profit organisation in which fans are the shareholders. The CPO was created to ensure the stadium could never again be sold to developers. As a condition for using the Chelsea FC name, the club has to play its first team matches at Stamford Bridge, which means that if the club moves to a new stadium, they may have to change their name.[35] Chelsea's training ground is located in Cobham, Surrey. Chelsea moved to Cobham in 2004. Their previous training ground in Harlington was taken over by QPR in 2005.[36] The new training facilities in Cobham were completed in 2007.[37]
Stamford Bridge has been used for a variety of other sporting events since 1905. It hosted the FA Cup Final from 1920 to 1922,[38] has held ten FA Cup semi-finals (most recently in 1978), ten FA Charity Shield matches (the last in 1970), and three England international matches, the last in 1932; it was also the venue for an unofficial Victory International in 1946.[39]

View from the West Stand of Stamford Bridge during a Champions League game, 2008
In October 1905 it hosted a rugby union match between the All Blacks and Middlesex,[40] and in 1914 hosted a baseball match between the touring New York Giants and the Chicago White Sox.[41] It was the venue for a boxing match between world flyweight champion Jimmy Wilde and Joe Conn in 1918.[42] The running track was used for dirt track racing between 1928 and 1932,[43] greyhound racing from 1933 to 1968, and Midget car racing in 1948.[44] In 1980, Stamford Bridge hosted the first international floodlit cricket match in the UK, between Essex and the West Indies.[45] It was also the home stadium of the London Monarchs American Football team for the 1997 season.[46]
The current club ownership have stated that a larger stadium is necessary in order for Chelsea to stay competitive with rival clubs who have significantly larger stadia, such as Arsenal and Manchester United.[47] Owing to its location next to a main road and two railway lines, fans can only enter the ground via the Fulham Road exits, which places constraints on expansion due to health and safety regulations.[48] The club have consistently affirmed their desire to keep Chelsea at their current home,[49][50][51] but Chelsea have nonetheless been linked with a move to various nearby sites, including the Earls Court Exhibition Centre, Battersea Power Station and the Chelsea Barracks.[52] On 3 October 2011, Chelsea made a proposal to CPO shareholders to buy back the freehold to the land on which Stamford Bridge sits, stating that "buying back the freehold removes a potential hurdle should a suitable site become available in the future".[53] The proposal was voted down by CPO shareholders.[54] In May 2012, the club made a formal bid to purchase Battersea Power Station, with a view to developing the site into a 60,000 seater stadium,[55] but lost out to a Malaysian consortium.[56]
Crest and colours

Crest
Since the club's foundation, Chelsea have had four main crests, though all underwent minor variations. In 1905, Chelsea adopted as their first crest the image of a Chelsea pensioner, which contributed to the "pensioner" nickname, and remained for the next half-century, though it never appeared on the shirts. As part of Ted Drake's modernisation of the club from 1952 onwards, he insisted that the pensioner badge be removed from the match day programme to change the club's image and that a new crest be adopted.[57] As a stop-gap, a temporary emblem comprising simply the initials C.F.C. was adopted for one year. In 1953, Chelsea's crest was changed to an upright blue lion looking backwards and holding a staff, which was to endure for the next three decades. This crest was based on elements in the coat of arms of the Metropolitan Borough of Chelsea[58] with the "lion rampant regardant" taken from the arms of then club president Viscount Chelsea and the staff from the Abbots of Westminster, former Lords of the Manor of Chelsea. It also featured three red roses, to represent England, and two footballs. This was the first club badge to appear on shirts, since the policy of putting the crest on the shirts was only adopted in the early 1960s.[57]
In 1986, with Ken Bates now owner of the club, Chelsea's crest was changed again as part of another attempt to modernise and to capitalise on new marketing opportunities.[57] The new badge featured a more naturalistic non-heraldic lion, in white and not blue, standing over the C.F.C. initials. It lasted for the next 19 years, with some modifications such as the use of different colours, including red from 1987 to 1995, and yellow from 1995 until 1999, before the white returned.[59] With the new ownership of Roman Abramovich, and the club's centenary approaching, combined with demands from fans for the popular 1950s badge to be restored, it was decided that the crest should be changed again in 2005. The new crest was officially adopted for the start of the 2005–06 season and marked a return to the older design, used from 1953 to 1986, featuring a blue heraldic lion holding a staff. For the centenary season this was accompanied by the words '100 YEARS' and 'CENTENARY 2005–2006' on the top and bottom of the crest respectively.[7]

Chelsea's crest, 1905–52

Chelsea's crest, 1952–53

Chelsea's crest, 1953–86

Chelsea's crest, 1986–2005

Chelsea's crest, 2005–06,
which commemorated Chelsea's 100th anniversary, was used only in the 2005–06 season

Colours

Chelsea's first home colours, used from 1905 until c.1912.
Chelsea have always worn blue shirts, although they originally used the paler eton blue, which was taken from the racing colours of then club president, Earl Cadogan, and was worn with white shorts and dark blue or black socks.[60] The light blue shirts were replaced by a royal blue version in around 1912.[61] In the 1960s Chelsea manager Tommy Docherty changed the kit again, switching to blue shorts (which have remained ever since) and white socks, believing it made the club's colours more modern and distinctive, since no other major side used that combination; this kit was first worn during the 1964–65 season.[62] Since then Chelsea have always worn white socks with their home kit apart from a short spell from 1985 to 1992, when blue socks were reintroduced.
Chelsea's traditional away colours are all yellow or all white with blue trim, but, as with most teams, they have had some more unusual ones. The first away strip consisted of black and white stripes and for one game in the 1960s the team wore blue and black stripes, inspired by Inter Milan's kit, again at Docherty's behest.[63] Other memorable away kits include a mint green strip in the 1980s, a red and white checked one in the early 90s and a graphite and tangerine edition in the mid-1990s.[64]
Support

Chelsea fans at a match against Tottenham Hotspur, on 11 March 2006
Chelsea have the fifth highest average all-time attendance in English football[8] and regularly attract over 40,000 fans to Stamford Bridge; they were the sixth best-supported Premier League team in the 2012–13 season, with an average gate of 41,462.[9] Chelsea's traditional fanbase comes from all over the Greater London area including working-class parts such as Hammersmith and Battersea, wealthier areas like Chelsea and Kensington, and from the home counties. There are also numerous official supporters clubs in the United Kingdom and all over the world.[65] In 2012 Chelsea were ranked fourth worldwide in annual replica kit sales, with 910,000.[66] At matches, Chelsea fans sing chants such as "Carefree" (to the tune of Lord of the Dance, whose lyrics were probably written by supporter Mick Greenaway[67][68]), "Ten Men Went to Mow", "We All Follow the Chelsea" (to the tune of "Land of Hope and Glory"), "Zigga Zagga", and the celebratory "Celery", with the latter often resulting in fans ritually throwing celery. The vegetable was banned inside Stamford Bridge after an incident involving Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fàbregas at the 2007 League Cup Final.[69]

Mural at a Chelsea pub in Tashkent
During the 1970s and 1980s in particular, Chelsea supporters were associated with football hooliganism. The club's "football firm", originally known as the Chelsea Shed Boys, and subsequently as the Chelsea Headhunters, were nationally notorious for football violence, alongside hooligan firms from other clubs such as West Ham United's Inter City Firm and Millwall's Bushwackers, before, during and after matches.[70] The increase of hooligan incidents in the 1980s led chairman Ken Bates to propose erecting an electric fence to deter them from invading the pitch, a proposal that the Greater London Council rejected.[71] Since the 1990s there has been a marked decline in crowd trouble at matches, as a result of stricter policing, CCTV in grounds and the advent of all-seater stadia.[72] In 2007, the club launched the 'Back to the Shed' campaign to improve the atmosphere at home matches, with notable success. According to Home Office statistics, 126 Chelsea fans were arrested for football-related offences during the 2009–10 season, the third highest in the division, and 27 banning orders were issued, the fifth highest in the division.[73]
Rivalries
Main articles: West London derby, Arsenal F.C.–Chelsea F.C. rivalry, and Chelsea F.C.–Leeds United A.F.C. rivalry
Chelsea do not have a traditional rivalry on the scale of the Merseyside derby or the North London derby because their West London derbies with Fulham or Queens Park Rangers have not been as prominent over the years since the clubs have often been in different divisions. A 2004 survey by Planetfootball.com found that Chelsea fans consider their main rivalries to be with (in order): Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United.[74] Their rivalry with Tottenham Hotspur is said to have developed following the 1967 FA Cup Final, the first cup final held between two London clubs. Additionally, a strong rivalry with Leeds United dates back to several heated and controversial matches in the 1960s and 1970s, particularly the 1970 FA Cup Final.[75] More recently a rivalry with Liverpool has grown following repeated clashes in cup competitions.[76]
Records

For more details on this topic, see List of Chelsea F.C. records and statistics.

Frank Lampard has made the most appearances and scored the most goals for Chelsea in the 21st century.
Chelsea's highest appearance-maker is ex-captain Ron Harris, who played in 795 first-class games for the club between 1961 and 1980.[77] This record is unlikely to be broken in the near future; Chelsea's current highest appearance-maker is Frank Lampard with 609.[78] The record for a Chelsea goalkeeper is held by Harris's contemporary, Peter Bonetti, who made 729 appearances (1959–79). With 95 caps (93 while at the club), Frank Lampard of England is Chelsea's most capped international player. Frank Lampard is Chelsea's all-time top goalscorer, with 204 goals in 609 games (2001–).[77] Seven other players have also scored over 100 goals for Chelsea: George Hilsdon (1906–12), George Mills (1929–39), Roy Bentley (1948–56), Jimmy Greaves (1957–61), Peter Osgood (1964–74 and 1978–79), Kerry Dixon (1983–92) and Didier Drogba (2004–12). Greaves holds the record for the most goals scored in one season (43 in 1960–61).[78]
Chelsea's biggest winning scoreline in a competitive match is 13–0, achieved against Jeunesse Hautcharage in the Cup Winners' Cup in 1971.[79] The club's biggest top-flight win was an 8–0 victory against Wigan Athletic in 2010, and matched in 2012 against Aston Villa.[80] Chelsea's biggest loss was an 8–1 reverse against Wolverhampton Wanderers in 1953.[81] Officially, Chelsea's highest home attendance is 82,905 for a First Division match against Arsenal on 12 October 1935. However, an estimated crowd of over 100,000 attended a friendly match against Soviet team Dynamo Moscow on 13 November 1945.[82][83] The modernisation of Stamford Bridge during the 1990s and the introduction of all-seater stands mean that neither record will be broken for the foreseeable future. The current legal capacity of Stamford Bridge is 41,837.[2]
Chelsea hold the English record for the highest ever points total for a league season (95), the fewest goals conceded during a league season (15), the highest number of Premier League victories in a season (29), the highest number of clean sheets overall in a Premier League season (25) (all set during the 2004–05 season),[84] and the most consecutive clean sheets from the start of a league season (6, set during the 2005–06 season).[85] The club's 21–0 aggregate victory over Jeunesse Hautcharage in the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup in 1971 remains a record in European competition.[86] Chelsea hold the record for the longest streak of unbeaten matches at home in the English top-flight, which lasted 86 matches from 20 March 2004 to 26 October 2008. They secured the record on 12 August 2007, beating the previous record of 63 matches unbeaten set by Liverpool between 1978 and 1980.[87][88] Chelsea's streak of eleven consecutive away league wins, set between 5 April 2008 and 6 December 2008, is also a record for the English top flight.[89] Their £50m purchase of Fernando Torres in January 2011 is a British record transfer fee.[90]
Chelsea, along with Arsenal, were the first club to play with shirt numbers, on 25 August 1928 in their match against Swansea Town.[91] They were the first English side to travel by aeroplane to a domestic away match, when they visited Newcastle United on 19 April 1957,[92] and the first First Division side to play a match on a Sunday, when they faced Stoke City on 27 January 1974. On 26 December 1999, Chelsea became the first British side to field an entirely foreign starting line-up (no British or Irish players) in a Premier League match against Southampton.[93] On 19 May 2007, they became the first team to win the FA Cup at the new Wembley Stadium, having also been the last to win it at the old Wembley.[94] At the end of the 2007–08 season, Chelsea became the highest ranked club under UEFA's five-year coefficient system, the first English club to do so in the 21st century.[95] On the final day of the 2009–10 season, Chelsea became the first team in Premier League history to score at least 100 goals in a single season.[28] In 2012, Chelsea became the first London based club to win the UEFA Champions League, after beating Bayern Munich in the final.[96][4] On winning the 2012–13 UEFA Europa League, Chelsea became the first English club to win all four European trophies.
Ownership and finances

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich
Chelsea Football Club was founded by Gus Mears in 1905. After his death in 1912, his descendents continued to own the club until 1982, when Ken Bates bought the club from Mears' great-nephew Brian Mears for £1. Bates bought a controlling stake in the club and floated Chelsea on the AIM stock exchange in March 1996.[97] In July 2003, Roman Abramovich purchased Bates' 29.5% stake in Chelsea Village plc for £60 million and over the following weeks bought out most of the remaining 12,000 shareholders at 35 pence per share, completing a £140 million takeover. Other shareholders at the time of the takeover included the Matthew Harding estate (21%), BSkyB (9.9%) and various anonymous offshore trusts.[98] After passing the 90% share threshold, Abramovich took the club back into private hands, delisting it from the AIM on 22 August 2003. He also took on responsibility for the club's debt of £80 million, quickly paying most of it.[99]
Thereafter, Abramovich changed the ownership name to Chelsea FC plc, whose ultimate parent company is Fordstam Limited, which is controlled by him.[100] Chelsea are additionally funded by Abramovich via interest free soft loans channelled through his holding company Fordstam Limited. The loans stood at £709 million in December 2009, when they were all converted to equity by Abramovich, leaving the club itself debt free,[101][102] although the debt remains with Fordstam.[103] Since 2008 the club has had no external debt.[104] In November 2012, Chelsea announced a profit of £1.4 million for the year ending 30 June 2012, the first time the club has made a profit under Abramovich's ownership.[105][106]
Chelsea has been described as a global brand; a 2012 report by Brand Finance ranked Chelsea fifth and valued the club's brand value at US $398 million – an increase of 27% from the previous year, also valuing it at US $10 million more than the sixth best brand, London rivals Arsenal – and gave the brand a strength rating of AA (very strong).[107][108] In 2012, Forbes magazine ranked Chelsea seventh in their list of the ten most valuable football clubs in the world, valuing the club's brand at £473 million ($761 million).[11][12] Chelsea are currently ranked sixth in the Deloitte Football Money League[109] with an annual commercial revenue of £225.6 million.[110]

The Sauber F1 Team, an official partner of the club, displaying the Chelsea FC crest
Chelsea's kit has been manufactured by Adidas since 2006, which is contracted to supply the club's kit from 2006 to 2018. The partnership was extended in October 2010 in a deal worth £160 million over eight years.[111] This deal was again extended in June 2013 in a deal worth £300 million over another ten years.[112][113] Previously, the kit was manufactured by Umbro (1968–81), Le Coq Sportif (1981–86), The Chelsea Collection (1986–87) and Umbro again (1987–2006). Chelsea's first shirt sponsor was Gulf Air, agreed during the 1983–84 season. The club were then sponsored by Grange Farms, Bai Lin Tea and Simod before a long-term deal was signed with Commodore International in 1989; Amiga, an off-shoot of Commodore, also appeared on the shirts. Chelsea were subsequently sponsored by Coors beer (1995–97), Autoglass (1997–2001) and Emirates Airline (2001–05). Chelsea's current shirt sponsor is Samsung who took over the sponsorship from their mobile division in 2007–08.[114] In 2012 Gazprom became the club's official Global Energy Partner on a three-year sponsorship deal.[115] The club also has a variety of other sponsors and partners, which include Delta Air Lines,[116] Sauber, Audi, Singha, EA Sports, Dolce & Gabbana[117] Barbados Tourism Authority, Atlas, AZIMUT Hotels, BNI, Vietinbank, Nitto Tire, Orico, Guangzhou R&F, Coca Cola, Grand Royal, Digicel, Lucozade Sport, and Viagogo.[118]
Chelsea Ladies

For more details on this topic, see Chelsea L.F.C..
Chelsea also operate a women's football team, Chelsea Ladies. It has been affiliated to the men's team since 2004,[119] and is part of the club's Community Development programme. They play their home games at Imperial Fields, the home ground of Isthmian League club Tooting & Mitcham United.[120] The club won the Surrey County Cup in 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010,[121] and were promoted to the Premier Division for the first time in 2005 as Southern Division champions. In the 2009–10 season, they finished 3rd in the Premier League, equalling their highest ever placing, and in 2010 were one of the eight founder members of the FA Women's Super League.[122] John Terry, the current captain of the Chelsea men's team, is President of Chelsea LFC.[123]
Popular culture

Chelsea parade through the streets of Fulham and Chelsea after winning their league and cup double, May 2010
In 1930, Chelsea featured in one of the earliest football films, The Great Game.[124] One-time Chelsea centre forward, Jack Cock, who by then was playing for Millwall, was the star of the film and several scenes were shot at Stamford Bridge, including the pitch, the boardroom, and the dressing rooms. It included guest appearances by then-Chelsea players Andrew Wilson, George Mills, and Sam Millington.[125] Owing to the notoriety of the Chelsea Headhunters, a football firm associated with the club, Chelsea have also featured in films about football hooliganism, including 2004's The Football Factory.[126] Chelsea also appear in the Hindi film Jhoom Barabar Jhoom.[127] In April 2011, Montenegrin comedy series Nijesmo mi od juče made an episode in which Chelsea plays against FK Sutjeska Nikšić for qualification of the UEFA Champions League.[128][129]
Up until the 1950s, the club had a long-running association with the music halls, with their underachievement often providing material for comedians such as George Robey.[130] It culminated in comedian Norman Long's release of a comic song in 1933, ironically titled "On the Day That Chelsea Went and Won the Cup", the lyrics of which describe a series of bizarre and improbable occurrences on the hypothetical day when Chelsea finally won a trophy.[16] The song "Blue is the Colour" was released as a single in the build-up to the 1972 League Cup Final, with all members of Chelsea's first team squad singing; it reached number five in the UK Singles Chart.[131] (The song was later adopted, as an anthem, by the Vancouver Whitecaps in Canada, after being changed to "White is the Colour".[132]) In the build-up to the 1997 FA Cup Final, the song "Blue Day", performed by Suggs and members of the Chelsea squad, reached number 22 in the UK charts.[133] Bryan Adams, a fan of Chelsea,[134] dedicated the song "We're Gonna Win" from the album 18 Til I Die to the club.[135]
Players

First team squad
As of 29 August 2013.[136]
Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
No. Position Player
1 Czech Republic GK Petr Čech (3rd captain)
2 Serbia DF Branislav Ivanović
3 England DF Ashley Cole
4 Brazil DF David Luiz
5 Ghana MF Michael Essien
7 Brazil MF Ramires
8 England MF Frank Lampard (vice-captain)
9 Spain FW Fernando Torres
10 Spain MF Juan Mata
11 Brazil MF Oscar
12 Nigeria MF John Obi Mikel
14 Germany FW André Schürrle
15 Belgium MF Kevin De Bruyne
16 Netherlands MF Marco van Ginkel
No. Position Player
17 Belgium MF Eden Hazard
19 Senegal FW Demba Ba
20 England MF Josh McEachran
22 Brazil MF Willian
23 Australia GK Mark Schwarzer
24 England DF Gary Cahill
26 England DF John Terry (captain)
28 Spain DF César Azpilicueta
29 Cameroon FW Samuel Eto'o
33 Czech Republic DF Tomáš Kalas
34 England DF Ryan Bertrand
40 Portugal GK Henrique Hilário
45 England DF Nathaniel Chalobah
46 England GK Jamal Blackman
For recent transfers, see 2013–14 Chelsea F.C. season.
Out on loan
Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
No. Position Player
6 Spain MF Oriol Romeu (at Valencia until 30 June 2014)
13 Nigeria FW Victor Moses (at Liverpool FC until 30 June 2014)
18 Belgium FW Romelu Lukaku (at Everton F.C. until 30 June 2014)
21 Germany MF Marko Marin (at Sevilla until 30 June 2014)
30 Brazil FW Lucas Piazón (at Vitesse until 30 June 2014)
No. Position Player
31 France MF Gaël Kakuta (at Vitesse until 30 June 2014)
38 Netherlands DF Patrick van Aanholt (at Vitesse until 30 June 2014)
— Belgium GK Thibaut Courtois (at Atlético Madrid until 30 June 2014)
— Ghana MF Christian Atsu (at Vitesse until 30 June 2014)
Reserves and Academy
Main article: Chelsea F.C. Reserves and Academy
Out on loan
Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
No. Position Player
27 England DF Sam Hutchinson (on loan to Vitesse until 30 June 2014)
32 Brazil DF Wallace (on loan to Inter Milan until 31 May 2014)
— England GK Sam Walker (on loan to Colchester United until 19 January 2014)
— Croatia GK Matej Delač (on loan to Vojvodina until 30 June 2014)
— England DF Todd Kane (on loan to Blackburn Rovers until 31 May 2014)
— Ghana DF Daniel Pappoe (on loan to Colchester United until 12 January 2014)
— Chile MF Cristián Cuevas (on loan to Vitesse until 30 June 2014)
No. Position Player
— Mexico MF Ulises Dávila (on loan to Córdoba CF until 30 June 2014)
— Belgium MF Thorgan Hazard (on loan to Zulte Waregem until 30 June 2014)
— England MF George Saville (on loan to Brentford F.C. until 5 January 2014)
— Slovakia FW Milan Lalkovič (on loan to Walsall until 4 January 2014)
— England FW Patrick Bamford (on loan to Milton Keynes Dons until 5 January 2014)
— Uruguay FW Jhon Pírez (on loan to CD Leganés until 30 June 2014)
— Croatia FW Stipe Perica (on loan to NAC Breda until 30 June 2014)
Player of the Year

[137]

Frank Lampard has been named Chelsea's Player of the Year a record three times
Year Winner
1967 England Peter Bonetti
1968 Scotland Charlie Cooke
1969 England David Webb
1970 England John Hollins
1971 England John Hollins
1972 England David Webb
1973 England Peter Osgood
1974 England Gary Locke
1975 Scotland Charlie Cooke
1976 England Ray Wilkins
1977 England Ray Wilkins
1978 England Micky Droy
1979 England Tommy Langley
1980 England Clive Walker
1981 Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Petar Borota
1982 England Mike Fillery
1983 Wales Joey Jones
1984 Scotland Pat Nevin
1985 Scotland David Speedie
1986 Wales Eddie Niedzwiecki
1987 Scotland Pat Nevin
1988 England Tony Dorigo
1989 England Graham Roberts

Year Winner
1990 Netherlands Ken Monkou
1991 Republic of Ireland Andy Townsend
1992 England Paul Elliott
1993 Jamaica Frank Sinclair
1994 Scotland Steve Clarke
1995 Norway Erland Johnsen
1996 Netherlands Ruud Gullit
1997 Wales Mark Hughes
1998 England Dennis Wise
1999 Italy Gianfranco Zola
2000 England Dennis Wise
2001 England John Terry
2002 Italy Carlo Cudicini
2003 Italy Gianfranco Zola
2004 England Frank Lampard
2005 England Frank Lampard
2006 England John Terry
2007 Ghana Michael Essien
2008 England Joe Cole
2009 England Frank Lampard
2010 Ivory Coast Didier Drogba
2011 Czech Republic Petr Čech
2012 Spain Juan Mata

Year Winner
2013 Spain Juan Mata
Notable managers

For more details on this topic, see List of Chelsea F.C. managers.
The following managers won at least one trophy when in charge of Chelsea:
Name Period Trophies
England Ted Drake 1952–1961 First Division Championship, Charity Shield
Scotland Tommy Docherty 1962–1967 League Cup
England Dave Sexton 1967–1974 FA Cup, UEFA Cup Winners' Cup
England John Neal 1981–1985 Second Division Championship
England John Hollins 1985–1988 Full Members Cup
England Bobby Campbell 1988–1991 Second Division Championship, Full Members Cup
Netherlands Ruud Gullit 1996–1998 FA Cup
Italy Gianluca Vialli 1998–2000 FA Cup, League Cup, Charity Shield, UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, UEFA Super Cup
Portugal José Mourinho 2004–2007
2013– 2 Premier Leagues, 2 League Cups, FA Cup, Community Shield
Netherlands Guus Hiddink 2009[nb 1] FA Cup
Italy Carlo Ancelotti 2009–2011 Premier League, FA Cup, Community Shield
Italy Roberto Di Matteo 2012[nb 2] FA Cup, UEFA Champions League
Spain Rafael Benítez 2012–2013[nb 3] UEFA Europa League
Coaching staff

José Mourinho, the current manager of Chelsea.
Position Staff
Manager Portugal José Mourinho
Assistant manager Vacant
Assistant first team coach Portugal Rui Faria
Assistant first team coach England Steve Holland
Assistant first team coach Portugal Silvino Louro
Assistant first team coach Portugal Jose Morais
Technical director Nigeria Michael Emenalo
Goalkeeper coach France Christophe Lollichon
First team fitness coach England Chris Jones
Senior opposition scout England Mick McGiven
Medical director Spain Paco Biosca
First team doctor Gibraltar Eva Carneiro
Reserve team manager England Dermot Drummy
Youth team manager England Adrian Viveash
Academy manager England Neil Bath
Match analyst England James Melbourne
Source: chelseafc.com
Management

[138]
Chelsea Ltd.
Owner: Roman Abramovich
Chelsea F.C. plc
Chairman: Bruce Buck
Directors: Ron Gourlay, Marina Granovskaia and Eugene Tenenbaum
Executive Board
Chief executive: Ron Gourlay
Finance and Operations Director: Chris Alexander
Club Secretary: David Barnard
Company secretary: Alan Shaw
Directors: Marina Granovskaia and Eugene Tenenbaum
Chelsea Football Club Board:
Bruce Buck
Eugene Tenenbaum
Ron Gourlay
David Barnard
Football operations director: Mike Forde
Technical director: Michael Emenalo
Life President:
Lord Attenborough
Honours

Domestic
Leagues
First Division/Premier League[139]
(4): 1954–55, 2004–05, 2005–06, 2009–10
Second Division[139]
(2): 1983–84, 1988–89
Cups
FA Cup
(7): 1969–70, 1996–97, 1999–2000, 2006–07, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2011–12
Football League Cup
(4): 1964–65, 1997–98, 2004–05, 2006–07
FA Community Shield[140]
(4): 1955, 2000, 2005, 2009
Full Members Cup
(2): 1985–86, 1989–90
European
UEFA Champions League
(1): 2011–12
UEFA Europa League
(1): 2012–13
UEFA Cup Winners' Cup
(2): 1970–71, 1997–98
UEFA Super Cup
(1): 1998
Notes

^ Includes Caretaker manager
^ Won as Interim first team coach
^ Includes Interim manager
Footnotes

^ a b "Team History – Introduction". Chelsea F.C. official website. Retrieved 11 May 2011.
^ a b c d e "Club Information". Chelsea F.C. official website. Retrieved 23 February 2012.
^ "Trophy Cabinet". Chelsea F.C. official website. Retrieved 20 May 2012.
^ a b "Chelsea win breaks London duck". Union of European Football Associations. 20 May 2012. Retrieved 20 May 2012.
^ "Chelsea wins Europa on Ivanovic header". ESPNFC. 16 May 2013.
^ "Chelsea join illustrious trio". Uefa.com. Retrieved 17 May 2013.
^ a b "Chelsea centenary crest unveiled". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 12 November 2004. Retrieved 2 January 2007.
^ a b "All Time League Attendance Records". Retrieved 2 July 2012.
^ a b "Home attendance". Soccerstats.com. Retrieved 19 June 2013.
^ a b "Russian businessman buys Chelsea". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 2 July 2003. Retrieved 11 February 2007.
^ a b Schwartz, Peter J. (18 April 2012). "Manchester United Again The World's Most Valuable Soccer Team". Forbes Magazine. Retrieved 5 May 2012.
^ a b "Manchester United still the world's richest football club – Forbes". BBC News (British Broadcasting Corporation). 19 April 2012. Retrieved 5 May 2012.
^ Glanvill (2006). Chelsea FC: The Official Biography. p. 55.
^ "Team History – 1905–29". Chelsea F.C. official website. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
^ "Between the Wars – Big Names and Big Crowds". Chelsea F.C. official website. Archived from the original on 2012-06-30. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
^ a b Brian Glanville (10 January 2004). "Little sign of change for Chelsea and their impossible dreams". The Times (UK). Retrieved 15 March 2009. (registration required)
^ Brian Glanville (27 April 2005). "The great Chelsea surrender". The Times (UK). Retrieved 29 December 2006.
^ Glanvill, Rick (2006). Chelsea FC: The Official Biography – The Definitive Story of the First 100 Years. Headline Book Publishing Ltd. p. 196. ISBN 978-0-7553-1466-9.
^ Glanvill (2006). Chelsea FC: The Official Biography. pp. 84–87.
^ Glanvill (2006). Chelsea FC: The Official Biography. pp. 143–157.
^ Glanvill (2006). Chelsea FC: The Official Biography. pp. 89–90.
^ Glanvill (2006). Chelsea FC: The Official Biography. pp. 90–91.
^ "Chelsea sack Ranieri". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 1 June 2004. Retrieved 20 May 2012.
^ "Chelsea appoint Mourinho". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 2 June 2004. Retrieved 20 May 2012.
^ Matt Barlow (12 March 2006). "Terry Eyes Back-to-Back Titles". Sporting Life. Retrieved 22 January 2007.
^ "Chelsea name Grant as new manager". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 20 September 2007. Retrieved 21 September 2007.
^ "Chelsea 2–1 Everton". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 30 May 2009. Retrieved 1 June 2009.
^ a b "Chelsea 8–0 Wigan". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 9 May 2010. Retrieved 16 May 2010.
^ McNulty, Phil (5 May 2012). "Chelsea 2–1 Liverpool". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). Retrieved 20 May 2012.
^ a b McNulty, Phil (19 May 2012). "Bayern Munich 1–1 Chelsea (aet, 4–3 pens)". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). Retrieved 20 May 2012.
^ "Benfica 1-2 Chelsea". BBC (BBC Sport). 15 May 2013. Retrieved 15 May 2013.
^ "Chelsea claim last-gasp Europa League triumph". AFP (AFP). 15 May 2013. Retrieved 03 August 2013.
^ a b c d e f "Stadium History – Introduction". Chelsea F.C. official website. Retrieved 20 May 2012.
^ Glanvill (2006). Chelsea FC: The Official Biography. pp. 69–71.
^ Glanvill (2006). Chelsea FC: The Official Biography. pp. 91–92.
^ Veysey, Wayne (24 May 2005). "QPR take over Chelsea training ground". Evening Standard. Retrieved 24 June 2009.
^ "Chelsea's new training ground for the future". BBC London (British Broadcasting Corporation). 5 July 2007. Retrieved 24 June 2009.
^ "Cup Final Statistics". The Football Association. Retrieved 18 February 2011.
^ "England's Matches: Unofficial". Englandfootballonline. Retrieved 18 February 2011.
^ "All Blacks". Rugbyfootballhistory.com. Retrieved 18 February 2011.
^ "Countdown to SABR Day 2011". BaseballGB.co.uk. Retrieved 18 February 2011.
^ "Jimmy Wilde: The Original Explosive Thin Man". Cyberboxingzone.com. Retrieved 18 February 2011.
^ "Stamford Bridge Speedway". guskuhn.net. Retrieved 18 February 2011.
^ "U.S. Invades England 1948". speedcarworld.com. Retrieved 19 February 2011.
^ "Twenty20 before Twenty20". spincricket.com. Retrieved 18 February 2011.
^ "London Monarchs". Britballnow.co.uk. Retrieved 19 February 2011.
^ "Chelsea chief: We will drop out of Europe's elite without new stadium". BBC. 25 April 2012. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
^ Glanvill (2006). Chelsea FC: The Official Biography. p. 76.
^ "Kenyon confirms Blues will stay at Stamford Bridge". RTÉ Sport. 12 April 2006. Retrieved 1 January 2007.
^ "Observer Stadium Story Denied". Chelsea F.C. official website. 9 November 2008. Retrieved 19 March 2011.
^ "Chelsea deny they're to ditch Stamford Bridge for 60,000 stadium at Earls Court". Daily Mail (UK). 10 November 2010. Retrieved 19 March 2011.
^ "Chelsea plan Bridge redevelopment". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 20 January 2006. Retrieved 1 January 2007.
^ "Chelsea FC Proposal To Chelsea Pitch Owners". Chelsea F.C. official website. Retrieved 3 October 2011.
^ "Chelsea FC lose fan vote on stadium". BBC. 27 October 2011. Retrieved 11 March 2012.
^ "Chelsea bid to buy Battersea power station in £1bn stadium plan". The Guardian (UK). 4 May 2012. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
^ "Chelsea's Battersea hopes end as Malaysian consortium completes deal". The Guardian (UK). 5 July 2012. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
^ a b c "Club Badges". Chelsea F.C. official website. Retrieved 24 January 2012.
^ "Chelsea Metropolitan Borough Council". Civic Heraldry of England and Wales. Retrieved 21 January 2007.
^ Moor, Dave. "Historical Kits – Chelsea". Historical Kits. Retrieved 28 September 2011.
^ "Chelsea – Historical Football Kits". Historical Kits. Retrieved 26 June 2012.
^ Glanvill, Rick (2006). Chelsea Football Club: The Official History in Pictures. ISBN 0-7553-1467-0. p. 212
^ Mears, Brian (2002). Chelsea: Football Under the Blue Flag. Mainstream Sport. p. 42. ISBN 1-84018-658-5.
^ The "Inter Milan" kit was worn for an FA Cup semi-final against Sheffield Wednesday, on 23 April 1966. Reference: Mears (2002), p. 58
^ "Kits". Chelsea F.C. official website. Retrieved 1 January 2007.
^ "Supporters Clubs Map". Chelsea F.C. official website. Retrieved 21 February 2011.
^ "EXCLUSIVE: Manchester United and Real Madrid top global shirt sale charts". Sporting Intelligence. 8 October 2012. Retrieved 8 October 2012.
^ Glanvill (2006). Chelsea FC: The Official Biography. p. 150.
^ ""Carefree" audio sample". Fanchants.com. Retrieved 3 September 2011.
^ Scott Murray (17 April 2002). "Fans sent spinning after tossing salad". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 January 2007.
^ "Making a new start". BBC News. 2 May 2002. Retrieved 21 January 2007.
^ "Bates: Chelsea's driving force". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 2 July 2003. Retrieved 21 January 2007.
^ "Soccer hooliganism: Made in England, but big abroad". BBC News. 2 June 1998. Retrieved 1 January 2007.
^ "Statistics on football-related arrests and banning orders" (PDF). Home Office. November 2010. Retrieved 14 May 2011.
^ "Football Rivalries: The Complete Results". Planetfootball.com. Retrieved 2 January 2007.
^ Glanvill (2006). Chelsea FC: The Official Biography. pp. 321–325.
^ "Six very modern football rivalries". TalkSport. 19 May 2011. Retrieved 23 May 2011.
^ a b For the appearance and goalscoring records of all Chelsea players, see Glanvill (2006). Chelsea FC: The Official Biography. pp. 399–410.
^ a b "soccerbase.com". Retrieved 13 December 2009.
^ "Words on Winning: 21–0". Chelsea F.C. official website. Retrieved 15 January 2012.
^ "Chelsea v Wigan match report". Chelsea F.C. official website. Retrieved 15 January 2012.
^ "Chelsea F.C.". Union of European Football Associations. Retrieved 15 January 2012.
^ "Team History – 1940s". Chelsea F.C. official website. Retrieved 20 May 2012.
^ Viner, Brian (29 October 2005). "Brian Viner: Diamond days of side who brought touch of glamour to post-war Britain". The Independent (Independent Print Limited). Retrieved 20 May 2012.
^ "Mourinho proud of battling finish". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation accessdate=29 August 2010). 13 May 2005.
^ "Charlton 0–2 Chelsea". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 17 September 2005. Retrieved 12 November 2007.
^ "Cup Winners' Cup Trivia". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 21 January 2007.
^ "Chelsea 3–2 Birmingham". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 12 August 2007. Retrieved 9 October 2007.
^ "Chelsea 0–1 Liverpool". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 26 October 2008. Retrieved 26 October 2008.
^ "Chelsea in eleven heaven". Premier League. 8 December 2008. Archived from the original on 19 December 2008. Retrieved 18 January 2009.
^ "Torres makes record move from Liverpool to Chelsea". BBC. 31 January 2011. Retrieved 12 March 2012.
^ "Shirt Numbers". England Football Online. Retrieved 1 October 2006.
^ Glanvill (2006). Chelsea FC: The Official Biography. p. 96.
^ Bradley, Mark (27 December 1999). "Southampton 1 Chelsea 2". Sporting Life. Retrieved 27 January 2007.
^ Mitchell, Kevin (20 May 2007). "Something old, new and Blue". The Observer. Retrieved 14 July 2011.
^ Kassies, Bert. "UEFA Team Ranking 2008". UEFA European Cup Football: Results and Qualification. Retrieved 2 June 2008.
^ "Chelsea etch new name on trophy". Union of European Football Associations. 19 May 2012. Retrieved 20 May 2012.
^ "UK Football Clubs on the UK Stock Markets". Football Economy. Retrieved 26 June 2012.
^ "Chelsea tycoon to clear club's debt". The Telegraph. 7 February 2003. Retrieved 27 June 2012.
^ "Chelsea tycoon to clear club's debt". BBC. 28 July 2003. Retrieved 26 June 2012.
^ "Club Information". Chelseafc.com. Retrieved 26 June 2012.
^ "Roman Abramovich turns £340m of debt into equity as Chelsea loss falls". The Guardian. 30 December 2009. Retrieved 27 June 2012.
^ "Statement on Club Finance". Chelseafc.com. Retrieved 27 June 2012.
^ "Roman Abramovich still owed £726m under complex Chelsea structure". The Guardian. 19 May 2010. Retrieved 27 June 2012.
^ "Chelsea and United debts at record £1.5bn". The Guardian. 20 May 2008. Retrieved 27 June 2012.
^ "CHELSEA FC ANNOUNCES ANNUAL PROFIT". Chelsea F.C. 9 November 2012. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
^ "Chelsea FC record first Abramovich-era profit". BBC. 9 November 2012. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
^ "Top 20 most Valuable Football Club Brands" (PDF). Brand Finance. May 2012. Retrieved 26 June 2012.
^ "Top 30 Football Club Brands" (PDF). Brand Finance. September 2011. Retrieved 4 October 2011.
^ "Chelsea – Deloitte Football Money League 2012". Deloitte. Retrieved 26 June 2010.
^ "Fan power Football Money League". Deloitte. Retrieved 26 June 2012.
^ "Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti puts his faith in elder statesman Didier Drogba". The Telegraph. 22 October 2010. Retrieved 27 June 2012.
^ "Chelsea agree whopping £300m kit deal with sportswear giants adidas". Daily mail. 22 June 2013. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
^ "CHELSEA AND ADIDAS ANNOUNCE EXTENSION OF GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP". Chelsea FC. 22 June 2013. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
^ Ashling O'Connor (2 May 2005). "Clubs to cash in on mobile advertising". The Times (UK). Retrieved 21 January 2010.
^ "Sponsors & Partners – GAZPROM". Chelsea F.C. official website.
^ Delta and Chelsea Football Club Strike Sponsorship Deal – Yahoo! Finance
^ "Dolce & Gabbana and Chelsea Football Club". Telegraph. 27 July 2010.
^ "Sponsors and Partners". Chelsea F.C. official website. Retrieved 18 June 2013.
^ "Chelsea Moving on Up". FemaleSoccer.net. Retrieved 20 February 2011.
^ "About the Ladies". Chelsea F.C. official website. Retrieved 20 February 2011.
^ "Womens Cup". surreyfa.com. Retrieved 20 February 2011.
^ "Eight teams successful in Women's Super League bid". London: fcbusiness.co.uk. 24 March 2010. Retrieved 20 February 2011.
^ Leighton, Tony (18 October 2009). "John Terry digs deep to rescue Chelsea Ladies after funding cuts". The Guardian (UK). Retrieved 20 February 2011.
^ "The Great Game". IMDb. Retrieved 1 October 2007.
^ Glanvill (2006). Chelsea FC: The Official Biography. pp. 120–121.
^ Steve Hawkes (10 May 2004). "Football firms hit the film circuit". BBC Sport. Retrieved 25 January 2007.
^ "Chelsea teams up with Yash Raj Films". DNA India. 25 September 2006. Retrieved 1 January 2007.
^ Nijesmo mi od Juce – Novosti – Epizode – Chelsea u "gledajte onlajn" sekciji Retrieved 27 April 2011
^ YouTube – Chelsea – Nijesmo mi od juče
^ Scott Murray (30 September 2002). "Di Canio has last laugh at Chelsea comedy store". The Guardian. Retrieved 14 July 2011.
^ "Blue Is The Colour". Chart Stats. Retrieved 21 January 2007.
^ "Caps' 'Proclaim' season opener". Vancouver Courier. Archived from the original on 3 January 2008. Retrieved 21 January 2007.
^ "Blue Day". Chart Stats. Retrieved 21 January 2007.
^ "The soul of Chelsea in 50 moments". Times Online. 29 November 2007.
^ "Countdown to the Champions League Final in Moscow". The Sun. 2 May 2008.
^ "First Team Squad List". Chelsea F.C. Retrieved 15 August 2013.
^ "Player of the Year". Chelsea F.C. official website. Retrieved 23 May 2011.
^ Fifield, Dominic (14 June 2013). "Chelsea give formal role to Abramovich aide Marina Granovskaia". Daily Mail. Retrieved 15 June 2013.
^ a b Upon its formation in 1992, the Premier League became the top tier of English football; the First and Second Divisions then became the second and third tiers, respectively. The First Division is now known as the Football League Championship and the Second Division is now known as Football League One.
^ The trophy was known as the Charity Shield until 2002, and as the Community Shield ever since.
References

Batty, Clive (2004). Kings of the King's Road: The Great Chelsea Team of the 60s and 70s. Vision Sports Publishing Ltd. ISBN 0-9546428-1-3.
Batty, Clive (2005). A Serious Case of the Blues: Chelsea in the 80s. Vision Sports Publishing Ltd. ISBN 1-905326-02-5.
Glanvill, Rick (2006). Chelsea FC: The Official Biography – The Definitive Story of the First 100 Years. Headline Book Publishing Ltd. ISBN 0-7553-1466-2.
Hadgraft, Rob (2004). Chelsea: Champions of England 1954–55. Desert Island Books Limited. ISBN 1-874287-77-5.
Harris, Harry (2005). Chelsea's Century. Blake Publishing. ISBN 1-84454-110-X.
Ingledew, John (2006). And Now Are You Going to Believe Us: Twenty-five Years Behind the Scenes at Chelsea FC. John Blake Publishing Ltd. ISBN 1-84454-247-5.
Matthews, Tony (2005). Who's Who of Chelsea. Mainstream Publishing. ISBN 1-84596-010-6.
Mears, Brian (2004). Chelsea: A 100-year History. Mainstream Sport. ISBN 1-84018-823-5.
Mears, Brian (2002). Chelsea: Football Under the Blue Flag. Mainstream Sport. ISBN 1-84018-658-5.
External links

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This article is about the Portuguese footballer. For the Brazilian footballer, see Ronaldo. For other people named Ronaldo, see Ronaldo (name).
"CR7" redirects here. For other uses, see CR7 (disambiguation).
Page semi-protected
This name uses Portuguese naming customs. The first or maternal family name is dos Santos and the second or paternal family name is Aveiro.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo - Croatia vs. Portugal, 10th June 2013.jpg
Cristiano Ronaldo playing for Portugal in 2013
Personal information
Full name Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro
Date of birth 5 February 1985 (age 28)
Place of birth Funchal, Madeira, Portugal
Height 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)[1]
Playing position Forward
Club information
Current club Real Madrid
Number 7
Youth career
1993–1995 Andorinha
1995–1997 Nacional
1997–2002 Sporting CP
Senior career*
Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
2002–2003 Sporting CP 25 (3)
2003–2009 Manchester United 196 (84)
2009– Real Madrid 138 (147)
National team‡
2001–2002 Portugal U17 9 (6)
2002–2003 Portugal U20 5 (3)
2003 Portugal U21 6 (1)
2004 Portugal U23 3 (1)
2003– Portugal 106 (43)
Honours[show]
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 11:10, 1 September 2013 (UTC).
† Appearances (Goals).
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 22:28, 6 September 2013 (UTC)
Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro,[2] OIH, (born 5 February 1985),[3] commonly known as Cristiano Ronaldo, is a Portuguese footballer who plays as a forward for Spanish La Liga club Real Madrid and who serves as captain of the Portuguese national team. He became the most expensive footballer in history after moving from Manchester United to Real Madrid in a transfer worth £80 million (€94 million/$131.6 million), a record that would later be broken by Gareth Bale, who joined Real Madrid in 2013 for £85 million (€100 million).[4] In addition, Ronaldo's contract with Real Madrid, under the terms of which he is paid €12 million per year, makes him one of the highest-paid footballers in the world,[5] and his buyout clause is valued at €1 billion as per his contract.[6]
Ronaldo began his career as a youth player for Andorinha, where he played for two years, before moving to C.D. Nacional. In 1997, he made a move to Portuguese giants Sporting Clube de Portugal. Ronaldo caught the attention of Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson, who signed him for £12.24 million (€15 million) in 2003. The following season, Ronaldo won his first club honour, the FA Cup.
Ronaldo was the first player playing in England to win all four main PFA and FWA awards, doing so in 2007. In 2008, Ronaldo won the Ballon d'Or.[7] He placed second in the Ballon d'Or in 2007, 2009, 2011 and 2012. He was awarded the European Golden Shoe in both 2008 and 2011. In 2008, he won three of the four main PFA and FWA trophies and was named the FIFPro Player of the Year, World Soccer Player of the Year, Onze d'Or, and the FIFA World Player of the Year.[8][9][10] In 2007 and 2008, Ronaldo was named FWA Footballer of the Year. Ronaldo was the inaugural winner of the FIFA Puskás Award for the Goal of the Year in 2009.
Ronaldo is considered as one of the best footballers in the world. He holds numerous former and current scoring records, including records for most goals scored in a season for Real Madrid, most goals scored per minute in La Liga, first top European league player to reach 40 goals in a single season in two consecutive years, fastest Real Madrid player to reach one hundred league goals, and the first player ever to score against every team in a single season in La Liga.[11] In January 2013, Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 300th club goal.[12][13]
Ronaldo is a Portuguese international and made his debut against Kazakhstan in August 2003. He has since participated in five major tournaments; UEFA Euro 2004, the 2006 FIFA World Cup, UEFA Euro 2008, the 2010 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2012. He scored his first international goal in the opening game of the Euro 2004 against Greece, in addition to helping Portugal reach the final. He took over the captaincy of the side in July 2008 and went on to captain Portugal to the semi-finals at the Euro 2012 and finished the competition as the joint best scorer with three goals. On 16 October 2012, Ronaldo won his 100th cap against Northern Ireland, making him the third highest capped player for Portugal and became the third youngest European to reach a century of international appearances.[14]
Contents [hide]
1 Early life
2 Club career
2.1 Early career
2.2 Sporting Clube de Portugal
2.3 Manchester United
2.3.1 2003–2006
2.3.2 2006–2009
2.4 Real Madrid
2.4.1 2009–10 season
2.4.2 2010–11 season
2.4.3 2011–12 season
2.4.4 2012–13 season
2.4.5 2013–14 season
3 International career
3.1 Euro 2004
3.2 2006 World Cup
3.2.1 Post-World Cup
3.3 Euro 2008
3.4 2010 World Cup
3.5 Euro 2012
3.6 2014 World Cup cycle
4 Style of play
5 Outside football
5.1 Personal life
5.2 Philanthropy
5.3 Wealth
5.4 Sponsorships
5.5 Media
6 Career statistics
6.1 Club
6.2 International
6.2.1 International goals
7 Honours
7.1 Club
7.2 International
7.3 Individual
7.3.1 Orders
7.4 Records
7.4.1 Europe
7.4.2 Spain
7.4.3 Portugal
7.4.4 Real Madrid
8 References
9 External links
Early life

Ronaldo was born in Santo António, a neighbourhood of Funchal, Madeira, the youngest child of Maria Dolores dos Santos Aveiro, a cook, and José Dinis Aveiro, a municipal gardener.[15] His second given name "Ronaldo" was chosen after then-U.S. president Ronald Reagan, who was his father's favourite actor. He has one older brother, Hugo, and two older sisters, Elma and Liliana Cátia.[3] His great-grandmother Isabel da Piedade was from Cape Verde.[16] The family was staunchly Catholic and lived in poverty. Ronaldo had no toys and shared a room with his brother and sisters.[17] He was popular in school, but not interested in it. Ronaldo was expelled after he threw a chair at his teacher because she made fun of his Madeiran accent. His mother decided he should then focus entirely on football. Ronaldo, age 14, decided to do so.[18]
Club career

Early career
At the age of eight, Ronaldo played for amateur team Andorinha, where his father was the kit man. In 1995, Ronaldo signed with local club Nacional, and, after a title-winning campaign, he went on a three-day trial with Sporting CP, who subsequently signed him for an undisclosed sum.[19]
Sporting Clube de Portugal
Ronaldo joined Sporting's other youth players who trained at the Academia Sporting, the club's football academy, in Alcochete. He became the only player ever to play for Sporting's under-16, under-17, under-18, B-team, and the first team, all within one season.[20] He scored two goals in his league debut on 7 October 2002, which Sporting CP won 3–0 against Moreirense, while featuring for Portugal in the 2002 European Under-17 Championship.[21]
At the age of 15 Ronaldo was diagnosed with a racing heart, a condition that might have forced him to give up playing football. The Sporting staff were made aware of the condition and Ronaldo's mother gave her authorisation for him to go into hospital. While there, he had an operation in which a laser was used to cauterise the area of his heart that was causing the problem. The surgery took place in the morning and Ronaldo was discharged from hospital by the end of the afternoon; he resumed training only a few days later.[22]
In November 2002, Ronaldo was invited to Arsenal's training ground, London Colney to meet manager Arsène Wenger and his coaching staff.[23] Wenger, who was interested in signing the midfielder had arranged to meet Ronaldo's representatives, Formation (who suggested the player originally to Gérard Houllier, then Liverpool's manager) in the subsequent months to discuss a transfer arrangement.[24] However he came to the attention of Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson in the summer of 2003, when Sporting defeated United 3–1 in the inauguration of the Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon. Ronaldo's performance impressed the Manchester United players, who urged Ferguson to sign him.[25] Ronaldo was offered to Barcelona for less than the €15 million Manchester United paid, but the Catalan club could not afford him at the time as the club had already spent its budget on other players.[26]
On April 2013, Ronaldo was honoured by Sporting as the club announced that the player had become their 100,000th member.[27]
Manchester United
2003–2006

Ronaldo playing against Chelsea in April 2006.
Ronaldo became Manchester United's first-ever Portuguese player when he signed for €15 million[28] (£12.24 million) after the 2002–03 season.[29] He requested the number 28 (his number at Sporting), as he did not want the pressure of living up to the expectation linked to the number 7 shirt, which had previously been worn by players such as George Best, Bryan Robson, Eric Cantona, and David Beckham. "After I joined, the manager asked me what number I'd like. I said 28. But Ferguson said 'No, you're going to have No. 7,' and the famous shirt was an extra source of motivation. I was forced to live up to such an honour."[30]
Ronaldo made his team debut as a 60th-minute substitute in a 4–0 home victory over Bolton Wanderers. He scored his first goal for Manchester United with a free kick in a 3–0 win over Portsmouth on 1 November 2003. Ronaldo ended his first season in English football by scoring the opening goal in United's 3–0 FA Cup final victory over Millwall.[31]
He scored United's 1000th Premier League goal on 29 October 2005 in a 4–1 loss to Middlesbrough.[32] He scored ten goals in all competitions, and fans voted him to his first FIFPro Special Young Player of the Year award in 2005.
He was sent off in the Manchester derby at the City of Manchester Stadium on 14 January 2006 (a game which United lost 3–1) for kicking City's former United player Andrew Cole.[33]
Ronaldo won his second trophy in English football in the 2005–06 season, scoring the third goal in Manchester United's 4–0 Football League Cup final victory over Wigan Athletic.[34]
2006–2009

Ronaldo with United during their 2006–2007 season.
The 2006–2007 season proved to be the breakout year for Ronaldo, as he broke the 20 goal barrier for the first time and picked up his first league title with Manchester United. An important factor in this success was his one-to-one training by Rene Meulensteen. Meulenstein coached him in moves to make himself more unpredictable. He also helped him to work better with his team-mates, calling for the ball and scoring more 'ugly' goals instead of waiting for the special occasion when he could score the 'beautiful' goals for which he was already famous.[35]
In November and December 2006, Ronaldo received consecutive Barclays Player of the Month honours, becoming only the third player in Premier League history to do so after Dennis Bergkamp in 1997 and Robbie Fowler in 1996.[36][37] He scored his 50th Manchester United goal against city rivals Manchester City on 5 May 2007 as United claimed their first Premier League title in four years, and he was voted into his second consecutive FIFPro Special Young Player of the Year award at the end of the year.
Despite rumours circulating in March 2007 that Real Madrid were willing to pay an unprecedented €80 million (£54 million) for Ronaldo,[38] he signed a five-year, £120,000-a-week (£31 million total) extension with United on 13 April, making him the highest-paid player in team history.[39][40]
Ronaldo amassed a host of personal awards for the season. He won the PFA Players' Player of the Year and PFA Young Player of the Year awards, joining Andy Gray (in 1977) as the only players to receive this honour.[41] In April, he completed the treble by winning the PFA Fans' Player of the Year. He also won the PFA Fans' Player of the Year and the FWA Footballer of the Year, becoming the first player to win all four main PFA and FWA awards. Ronaldo was also one of eight Manchester United players named in the 2006–07 PFA Premier League Team of the Year.

Ronaldo (left) and Carlos Tévez prior to a Champions League match.
Ronaldo's 2007–08 season began with a red card for a headbutt on Portsmouth player Richard Hughes during United's second match of the season, for which he was punished with a three-match ban.[42] Ronaldo said he had "learned a lot" from the experience and would not let players "provoke" him in the future.[43] After scoring the only goal in a Champions League away match against Sporting, Ronaldo also scored the injury-time winner in the return fixture as Manchester United topped their Champions League group.[44]
He finished as the runner-up to Kaká for the 2007 Ballon d'Or,[45] and was third in the running for the FIFA World Player of the Year award, behind Kaká and Lionel Messi.[46]
Ronaldo scored his first hat trick for Manchester United in a 6–0 win against Newcastle United at Old Trafford on 12 January 2008, bringing Manchester United up to the top of the Premier League table.[47] He scored his twenty-third league goal of the season in a 2–0 win against Reading, equalling his entire total for the 2006–07 season.[48] During a 1–1 Champions League first knockout round draw against Lyon on 20 February, an unidentified Lyon supporter continuously aimed a green laser at Ronaldo and United teammate Nani, prompting an investigation by UEFA.[49] One month later, Lyon were fined CHF5,000 (£2,427) for the incident.[50]
On 19 March 2008, Ronaldo captained United for the first time in his career in a home win over Bolton, scoring both goals in the 2–0 victory.[51] The second of the goals was his 33rd of the campaign, which set a new club single-season scoring record by a midfielder and thus topped George Best's forty-year-old total of 32 goals in the 1967–68 season.[52] Ronaldo scored another brace in a 4–0 win over Aston Villa on 29 March, which at the time gave him 35 goals in 37 domestic and European matches as both a starter and substitute. Ronaldo's scoring streak was rewarded with his becoming the first winger to win the 2007–08 European Golden Shoe, finishing eight points ahead of Mallorca's Dani Güiza.[53]

In the 2007–08 Champions League final on 21 May against league rivals Chelsea, Ronaldo scored the opening goal after 26 minutes, which was negated by a Chelsea equaliser in the 45th minute as the match ended 1–1 after extra time. His misfire in the penalty shoot-out put Chelsea in position to win the trophy, but John Terry shot wide right after slipping on the pitch surface, and Manchester United emerged victorious 6–5 on penalties. Ronaldo was named the UEFA Fans' Man of the Match,[54] and wrapped up the campaign with a career-high 42 goals in all competitions, falling four short of Denis Law's team-record mark of 46 in the 1963–64 season. In the Champions League he was also named best forward and player of the tournament and was the competition's top goalscorer.

Ronaldo and Manchester United against Albert Riera and rivals Liverpool.
On 5 June 2008, Sky Sports reported that Ronaldo had expressed an interest in moving to Real Madrid if they offered him the same amount of money the team had allegedly promised him earlier in the year.[55] Manchester United filed a tampering complaint with FIFA on 9 June over Madrid's alleged pursuit of Ronaldo, but FIFA declined to take any action.[56][57] Speculation that a transfer would happen continued until 6 August, when Ronaldo confirmed that he would stay at United for at least another year.[58]
Ronaldo underwent ankle surgery at the Academic Medical Center in Amsterdam on 7 July.[59] He returned to action on 17 September in United's goalless UEFA Champions League group stage draw with Villarreal as a substitute for Park Ji-Sung,[60] and scored his first goal of the season in a 3–1 League Cup third round win over Middlesbrough on 24 September.
In a 5–0 win over Stoke City on 15 November 2008, Ronaldo scored his 100th and 101st goals in all competitions for Manchester United, both from free kicks.[61] The goals also meant that Ronaldo had now scored against each of the other 19 teams in the Premier League at the time.[62] On 2 December, Ronaldo became Manchester United's first Ballon d'Or recipient since George Best in 1968. He finished with 446 points, 165 ahead of runner-up Lionel Messi.[63] He was awarded the Silver Ball after finishing with two goals as United won the Club World Cup on 19 December.[64]
On 8 January 2009, Ronaldo was uninjured in a single-car accident in which he wrote off his Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano in a tunnel along the A538 near Manchester Airport. A breathalyser test he gave to police officers at the scene was negative, and he attended training later that morning.[65] Four days later, he became the first Premier League player ever to be named the FIFA World Player of the Year, in addition to being the first Portuguese player to win the award since Luís Figo in 2001.[66]
Ronaldo scored his first Champions League goal of the season, and first since the final against Chelsea, in a 2–0 victory over Internazionale that sent United into the quarter-finals.[67] In the second leg against Porto, Ronaldo scored a 40-yard game-winning goal as United advanced to the semi-finals. For this goal Ronaldo holds the distinction of being the first player to win the FIFA Puskás Award, in 2009, an honour handed by FIFA to the best goal of the year.[68] He later called it the best goal he had ever scored.[69][70] Ronaldo participated in his second consecutive Champions League final, but made little impact in United's 2–0 loss to Barcelona. He finished with 53 appearances in all competitions, which was four higher than the previous year, but scored sixteen fewer goals (26) than his career-best total of 42 from the previous season.
On 11 June, Manchester United accepted an unconditional offer of £80 million from Real Madrid for Ronaldo after it was revealed that he again had expressed his desire to leave the club.[71] It was confirmed by a representative of the Glazer family that the sale was fully condoned by Ferguson.[72] When Ronaldo had eventually completed his transfer to Real, he expressed his gratitude towards Ferguson for helping him develop as a player, saying, "He's been my father in sport, one of the most important factors and most influential in my career."[73]
Real Madrid
2009–10 season

Ronaldo and Real Madrid against Diego Forlán and city rivals Atlético Madrid.
On 26 June 2009, Real Madrid confirmed that Ronaldo would join the club on 1 July 2009 from Manchester United for £80 million (€94 million) becoming the most expensive footballer in history,[74] after agreeing terms and signing a six-year contract.[75] Ronaldo's contract is worth €11 million per year[5] and it has a €1 billion buy-out clause.[76] He was presented to the world media as a Real Madrid player on 6 July,[77] where he was handed the number 9 jersey.[78] The shirt was presented to him by Madrid legend Alfredo Di Stéfano.[79] Ronaldo was welcomed by between 80,000 and 85,000 fans at his presentation at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, surpassing Diego Maradona's record of 75,000 fans when he was presented in Italy, after he was transferred from Barcelona to Napoli in 1984.[80][81] The event was broadcasted live on the Spanish and Portuguese public TV stations, RTVE and RTP respectively.[82][83]
Ronaldo made his Madrid debut on 21 July in a 1–0 win over Shamrock Rovers. His first goal came one week later with a penalty in Madrid's 4–2 win over LDU Quito.[84] On 29 August, Ronaldo capped his La Liga debut with a goal, scoring Real's second from the penalty spot in a 3–2 home win against Deportivo La Coruña.[85] On 15 September, Ronaldo scored two free-kicks in a 5–2 away victory over Zürich, his first Champions League goals for Real.[86] He broke a Madrid club record when he scored in a league match against Villarreal and thus became the first ever player to score in his first four La Liga appearances.[87]

Ronaldo taking a free kick for Real Madrid against Borussia Dortmund at Signal Iduna Park.
An ankle injury suffered on 10 October, while Ronaldo was on international duty with Portugal against Hungary, kept him out until 25 November, which in turn caused him to miss both of Madrid's Champions League group stage matches against Milan.[citation needed] Ronaldo made his first post-injury start in a 1–0 El Clásico defeat to Barcelona on 29 November. On 6 December, he was sent off for the first time in his Madrid career during Real's 4–2 victory against Almería, a match which also saw him miss a penalty. He was carded first for removing his shirt during a goal celebration, then for kicking out at an opponent three minutes later.[88]
Ronaldo was second in the 2009 FIFA World Player of the Year award and also second in the 2009 Ballon d'Or award. On 5 May 2010, Ronaldo scored his first Real Madrid hat-trick in an away game against Mallorca. Ronaldo and Gonzalo Higuaín scored 53 league goals during the course of the season and became Real's highest scoring league duo in their history.[89] Ronaldo ended his first season at Real Madrid by ending at second place in the 2009–10 La Liga with 96 points, reaching Round of 16 in the 2009–10 UEFA Champions League, and the Round of 32 in the 2009–10 Copa del Rey.
2010–11 season
With the departure of Raúl during the summer of 2010, Ronaldo was handed the number 7 jersey for Real Madrid.[90] On 23 October 2010, Ronaldo scored four goals against Racing de Santander,[91] the most goals he has ever scored in a single match.[92] This completed a goalscoring run of six consecutive matches (three in La Liga, one in the Champions League, and two for Portugal) in which Ronaldo scored in each match, totalling 11 goals, which is the most Ronaldo has scored in a single month. Before Real Madrid's 5–0 defeat by Barcelona at the Camp Nou, Ronaldo scored his second La Liga hat-trick of the season in a 5–1 win over Athletic Bilbao.[93] His final match of the calendar year saw him score a hat-trick in a 8–0 trashing of Levante in the Copa del Rey.[94]

Ronaldo during a friendly game against Peñarol before the beginning of the season.
Ronaldo began the 2011 with a very promising outlook, especially after Real Madrid acknowledged he had broken numerous goalscoring records, previously settled and held by classic players such as Alfredo Di Stéfano, Hugo Sánchez, and Manuel Alday.[95][96] Ronaldo began his scoring spree by scoring two vital goals in a tight 3–2 victory away to Getafe.[97] He then consolidated his massive performances by scoring a hat-trick and assisting Kaká to score his first league goal after his return from injury, in a 4–2 victory over Villarreal on 9 January. On 3 March 2011, Ronaldo scored a hat-trick in a 7–0 trashing of Málaga, but was affected by a muscle injury at the end of the match, which forced him to spend 10 days on the sidelines.

Ronaldo and Real Madrid against Gareth Bale and Tottenham in the UEFA Champions League.
In April he made another massive comeback from injury, sustaining a three-game scoring streak (including 2 goals in Champions League quarter-finals against Tottenham Hotspur), thus arriving to the first of a historical series of four El Clásico encounters two goals short of breaking his personal record of 42 goals in all competitions in a single season, achieved at Manchester United in the 2007–08 season.
During the second league edition of El Clásico, Ronaldo scored from the penalty spot and took his tally to 41 goals, also taking his scoring streak to four games. On 20 April, Ronaldo scored the winning goal against Barcelona in the 103rd minute of the Copa del Rey final.[98] This goal would later be chosen as both Ronaldo's and Real Madrid's best goal in the season by several fan polls, including those of Marca[99] and Real Madrid's website.[100] 7 May saw Real travel to the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán to take on Sevilla, where Ronaldo led the thrashing of the Andalusian side, scoring four goals in a 6–2 victory. These four goals took him to 46 for the season which surpassed his previous record of 42 in a season playing for Manchester United.[101] Three days later he reached 49 goals for the season, by scoring another hat-trick in a 4–0 home win against Getafe. On 15 May, after scoring two free-kick goals in a 3–1 win over Villarreal, he equalled the La Liga record with most goals in a season with 38, a record previously held by Telmo Zarra and Hugo Sánchez.
On 21 May, he scored two goals in the last league match of the season against Almería, taking his Pichichi total to 41, and La Liga total to 40, becoming the only player to score 40 goals in a La Liga season. By doing this, he won the European Golden Shoe award once again, becoming the first player to win the trophy in two different leagues. The sports newspaper Marca, who awards the Pichichi Trophy, included the goal scored on 18 September 2010 against Real Sociedad in Ronaldo's goal count, which had been officially attributed to Pepe.[102] Should this goal be granted to Ronaldo, his goal count in the Pichichi Trophy would tally 41 goals. Ronaldo also broke Zarra's record of most goals per minute, with a goal scored every 70.7 minutes. However, regardless of this goal polemic, Ronaldo's record-breaking figures became a source of major attention from public media, such as being included in the Sports Illustrated World XI,[103] rating him as one of the world's best footballers. Accounting for all competitions, Ronaldo ended the season with a total of 53 goals (not granting him the controversial goal from Pepe), having scored 25 goals with his right foot (excluding free-kicks and penalty-kicks) and 9 with his left foot.[104] Ronaldo ended his second season at Real Madrid by winning the 2011–12 Copa del Rey, reaching the semi-finals in the 2010–11 UEFA Champions League, and second place in the 2010–11 La Liga with 92 points.
2011–12 season
Real Madrid's pre-season began with a 4–1 victory over MLS team Los Angeles Galaxy,[105] with goals from Callejón, Joselu, Ronaldo, and Benzema.[106] Four days later Ronaldo scored a second half hat-trick in a 3–0 win against Guadalajara. Ronaldo's preseason performance was highly praised as world media kept hailing Ronaldo's extreme competitiveness and motivation, even during friendly matches. On 17 August 2011, Ronaldo scored his 100th goal with Real Madrid with a first-half equaliser against Barcelona in the second leg of the 2011 Spanish Supercup in the Camp Nou. On 27 August 2011, he opened the 2011–12 La Liga season with a hat-trick in a 6–0 win at Real Zaragoza.
In the first weeks of September, Ronaldo's physical performance was subject to scrutiny by world media, after Castrol released a television film named Ronaldo: Tested to the Limit where he was put to test in several fields, including mental and physical. Conclusions from the movie and doctors in the weeks following claimed that Ronaldo was one of the best athletes in the world, excelling in football and outstanding in almost every other category.[citation needed] On 24 September, Ronaldo scored a hat-trick (including two penalties) in Real Madrid's 6–2 win over Rayo Vallecano at the Santiago Bernabéu. This was his ninth La Liga hat-trick and tenth hat-trick for Real Madrid.

Ronaldo playing against Ajax during their group stage match in the UEFA Champions League.
On 27 September, Ronaldo scored Real's opening goal in a 3–0 victory over Ajax at the Santiago Bernabéu in the UEFA Champions League. On 22 October, after not scoring in his previous three games, Ronaldo scored his tenth La Liga hat-trick and eleventh in total for Real Madrid in a match away to Málaga, which Real Madrid won 4–0. His twelfth Real Madrid hat-trick followed on 6 November, in a 7–1 victory over Osasuna that ensured Madrid stayed top of the table heading into the international break.[107]
On 19 November 2011, Ronaldo scored Real's second goal in a 2–3 defeat of Valencia. On 26 November 2011, Ronaldo scored two penalties in a 4–1 defeat of Atlético Madrid in the El Derbi madrileño. On 3 December 2011, Ronaldo scored Madrid's second goal in a 0–3 defeat of Sporting de Gijón in La Liga. He was one of the three finalists for the 2011 FIFA Ballon d'Or. On 13 December 2011, Ronaldo scored the second goal against SD Ponferradina in the first leg of the Copa del Rey Round 4, the match ended in a 0–2 win. On 17 December 2011, Ronaldo scored his twelfth La Liga hat-trick and thirteenth overall in a 6–2 win away to Sevilla.
Ronaldo was third in the 2010–11 UEFA Best Player in Europe Award, behind Lionel Messi and Xavi, and second in the 2011 FIFA Ballon d'Or, behind Lionel Messi and ahead of Xavi. In Real Madrid's next game in La Liga at home to Granada Ronaldo scored the fifth goal in a 5–1 win. On 22 January 2012, Ronaldo scored two penalties in a 4–1 win over Athletic Bilbao, and on 28 January scored Real Madrid's second and winning goal in a 3–1 win against Zaragoza. Ronaldo also scored two goals against Barcelona in the Copa del Rey Quarter-finals, which Real lost 4–3 on aggregrate. On 12 February 2012, Ronaldo scored a hat-trick, his thirteenth in La Liga and fourteenth for Real Madrid, in a 4–2 home win over Levante. This win stretched Real Madrid's lead over second-placed Barcelona to 10 points.
On 24 March 2012, Ronaldo reached more than 100 goals in La Liga in just three seasons at Real Madrid when he scored the first of his two goals in the match against Real Sociedad, the second quickest La Liga player to reach that milestone in the league after Isidro Lángara, reaching the milestone in 92 matches and breaking the previous club record held by Puskás.[108] As of 24 March 2012, Ronaldo had averaged 1.01 goals per game in La Liga.

Ronaldo's boots on display at Santiago Bernabeu after the 2011–2012 season
On 11 April, Ronaldo scored a hat-trick against Atletico Madrid in a 1–4 win, as well as assisting the last goal. His hat-trick, one goal from a free kick, one from 30 yards on the left wing and one penalty, gave him 40 league goals in the season, making him the only player in La Liga history, or in any other major European league, to score 40 goals in two seasons, even doing so in consecutive seasons. Ronaldo officially broke his previous record of 40 goals in a La Liga season on 14 April, scoring in a 3–1 win against Sporting Gijón. On 25 April, in the second leg of the semi-finals in the 2011–12 UEFA Champions League against Bayern Munich, Ronaldo converted a penalty from a David Alaba handball and scored a second goal from a pass from Mesut Ozil. Extra time ended with the tie level at 3–3, and Real Madrid was eliminated in the shootout with Ronaldo's kick being saved by Manuel Neuer.[109]
On 13 May 2012, the last matchday, Ronaldo scored against Mallorca which made him the first player ever to score against every team in a single season in La Liga.[11] He finished the season with a total of 46 league goals and 60 goals in every competition, breaking the Real Madrid record he had set the previous season. Ronaldo ended his third season at Real Madrid by winning the 2011–12 La Liga with record 100 points, finishing as runner-up in the 2011 Supercopa de España, reaching the semi-finals in the 2011–12 UEFA Champions League, and the quarter-finals in the 2011–12 Copa del Rey. Ronaldo claimed that he believed that he had played better than Lionel Messi the 2011–12 season,[110] and on 13 June, he won the Trofeo Alfredo Di Stefano as the best La Liga player of the season.
2012–13 season

Ronaldo during a friendly game against A.C. Milan before the beginning of the season.
Ronaldo started the season by lifting the Supercopa de España with Real Madrid, scoring two goals in a 4–4 away goals aggregate win against Barcelona. The goal in the first leg made him the first Madrid player in the history of El Clásico to score for the fourth game in a row at the Camp Nou,[111] with the winning goal in the second leg, Ronaldo equalled the Real Madrid record of Iván Zamorano of scoring in five consecutive El Clásico matches.[112] AS reported that Manchester City president Sheikh Mansour had made a bid of 200 million euros for Ronaldo in the summer, but Real Madrid turned the bid down.[113] On 30 August, Ronaldo was second (tied with Lionel Messi) in the 2011–12 UEFA Best Player in Europe Award with 17 votes, behind winner Iniesta.[114]
On 2 September 2012, Ronaldo scored his first league goal of the season in a 3–0 win over Granada, which was also his 200th career goal in league matches played in England, Spain and Portugal. He added another goal, which was his 150th goal for Real Madrid in all competitions in 149 matches played. This goal made him the 10th highest scorer for Real Madrid in all competitions. Ronaldo was substituted at the 63rd minute by team mate Higuaín, due to a minor thigh injury.[115] Afterwards, Ronaldo claimed that he was unhappy with a "professional issue" after he refused to celebrate his 149th and 150th goals for the club.[116] Ronaldo's agent, Jorge Mendes, insisted that he always knew that Ronaldo was unhappy with life at Real Madrid.[117] Ronaldo dismissed the notion that his post-match declaration of "sadness" was related to a desire for a new and improved contract at the club.[118] Real Madrid president, Florentino Pérez, claimed that he did not want to leave the club and that he was unhappy for other reasons.[119] When Ronaldo returned to Real Madrid, after international duty, he stated he was focused on achieving further success with the club.[120] Real Madrid coach José Mourinho believed that UEFA's decision to elect Iniesta as the best player in Europe in 2011–12 could have been one of the reasons behind Ronaldo's unhappiness.[121][122]
On 18 September, Ronaldo scored his first Champions League goal of the season in a 3–2 victory over Manchester City.[123] On 30 September, Ronaldo scored a hat-trick (including two penalties), his first La Liga hat-trick of the season, in a 5–1 win over Deportivo de La Coruña.[124] On 4 October, Ronaldo scored his first career hat-trick in Champions League as he led Real Madrid to a 4–1 victory over Ajax.[125] Continuing his fine form, he hit a brace the following week against Barcelona in a 2–2 draw at Camp Nou, which made him the first and only player to score in 6 consecutive El Clásico's.[126] He followed this up with another goal in the following weekends against Borussia Dortmund in a 2–1 away loss and a brace in the 5–0 away win against Mallorca.[127][128]
On 11 November, Ronaldo started as a striker in a 2–1 away win over Levante, as both Benzema and Higuaín were injured.[129] He received an horrific elbow to the eye in the second minute in the match, but scored his twelfth La Liga goal to give Madrid the lead, before being substituted at half-time.[130][131] This eventually led to him missing the Portugal squad for the friendly game against Gabon.[132] On 21 November, he appeared in Madrid's 1–1 Champions League group stage draw with Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium. The match represented the first time that Ronaldo played in Manchester since leaving City's rival, Manchester United, for Madrid in 2009.[133] On 1 December, after not scoring in his previous three games, Ronaldo scored a goal from a free-kick and assisted Özil to score the second goal, in a 2–0 victory over Atlético Madrid.[134] Ronaldo continued to score his sixth Champions League goal in a 4–1 home win against Ajax on 4 December, once against Celta Vigo in the first leg of a Copa del Rey game on 12 December, and once again in a 2–2 draw with Espanyol on 16 December.
In December 2012, French giants Paris Saint-Germain declared interest in signing Ronaldo,[citation needed] however, Real Madrid announced the club will not sell Ronaldo and the club was working on an improved contract with a three-year extension, keeping him at the club until 2018.[135][136] In the same month, it was reported Ronaldo would reject the contract Madrid are preparing for him at the end of the season.[137] Ronaldo himself refused to discuss his long-term future at Real Madrid until he has helped the Spanish champions atone for their disappointing start to the season.[138][139] In April 2013, Florentino Pérez said Ronaldo's contract will be renewed,[140] and José Mourinho stated "when you have a player of his caliber, you must do everything within your power to hold on to him."[141] Thereafter, Ronaldo again reluctant to discuss his long-term future at Real Madrid.[142] In May 2013, Perez said he had no intention of selling Ronaldo, who would be offered a new deal to ensure he stays with Madrid.[143][144]
On 6 January, in Madrid's first match of 2013, Ronaldo scored a brace to lift 10-man Real Madrid to a 4–3 victory over Real Sociedad.[145] The match represented the first time that Ronaldo captained Real Madrid in an official match,[146][147] but received his fifth yellow card of the season and was suspended for the team's next league game at Osasuna serving a one-game ban. This was the first time Ronaldo was suspended for an accumulation of yellow cards, having only previously missed games when being given a straight red card.[148] On 7 January, he was second in the 2012 FIFA Ballon d'Or, for the fourth time behind Lionel Messi.[149] On 9 January, Ronaldo scored a hat-trick against Celta Vigo in the second leg of a Copa del Rey game.[150] On 14 January, Ronaldo insisted he want to complete his contract at Real Madrid – but admitted he does not know what the future holds for him beyond that.[151] Following a first leg victory over Valencia in the Copa del Rey on 15 January, he got into an argument with manager José Mourinho.[152][153]
On 27 January, Ronaldo scored a perfect hat-trick against Getafe in a 4–0 win, including his 300th club goal.[154] On 30 January, against Barcelona in the Copa del Rey, Ronaldo made his 500th club appearances. He was the first not Spanish to captain Real Madrid in a Clásico in the last 60 years.[155] On 2 February, Ronaldo scored the first own goal of his career to send Real Madrid to a shock 1–0 defeat at Granada.[156] Ronaldo than scored another hat-trick the next week against Sevilla, his 21st hat-trick of his career and his 17th in La Liga.[157]
Ronaldo faced his former club Manchester United for the first time on 13 February in the Champions League Round of 16 and scored the equaliser in a 1–1 draw at the Santiago Bernabéu.[158] On 26 February, Ronaldo scored twice against Barcelona in the second leg of the Copa del Rey semi-finals, making this the sixth consecutive trip to the Camp Nou in which he had scored.[159] Ronaldo then scored the winning goal in a 2–1 victory against Manchester United on 5 March, which was his return to Old Trafford for the first time since his world-record £80 million move to Real Madrid in 2009.[160] Thereafter, Ronaldo stated he was "sad" and had a "strange feeling" after his goal knocked Manchester United out of the Champions League.[161][162]
On 10 March, Ronaldo struck twice against Celta Vigo to send Real Madrid above city rivals Atlético into second place in La Liga.[163] The second goal, his 138 goal in La Liga, earned him a place in the top 25 goalscorers in the history of La Liga in just 127 games, recording an average of 1.08 goals per game, the highest of all the top 25 goalscorers.[164] On 16 March, Ronaldo scored the equaliser in a 5–2 victory against Mallorca, which was his 350 goal in his career.[164][165] On 3 April, Ronaldo scored the opening goal against Galatasaray in the first leg of the quarter-finals, which took Ronaldo ahead of Filippo Inzaghi to sixth in the Champions League goalscoring charts.[166] On 9 April, Ronaldo scored twice against Galatasaray to send Real Madrid to the semi-finals in the Champions League. With these goals, Ronaldo went ahead of Andriy Shevchenko to fifth in the Champions League goalscoring charts.[167] In April 2013, he was named by Marca as a member of the "Best foreign eleven in Real Madrid's history".[168]
Ronaldo picked up an injury to his leg thigh muscle while warming up for the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg on 24 April, where he scored an away goal in a 4–1 loss against Borussia Dortmund.[169] He was absent from Real Madrid's next game against Atlético Madrid,[170] but returned to action on 30 April for the 2–0 second leg victory against Dortmund (a 4–3 aggregate loss).[171] On 4 May, Ronaldo scored two headers against Real Valladolid in a 4–3 home win.[172] The English media reported that Manchester United chief executive David Gill was in Madrid to talk with Ronaldo's agent about Old Trafford return,[173] but other media outlets reported that United would struggle to re-sign him after the announcement of Alex Ferguson's retirement as manager of Manchester United.[174][175]
Ronaldo scored his 200th goal for Real Madrid on 8 May in a 6–2 win against Málaga. This figure made him sixth in the list of the club's all-time top scorers and the player that took fewest matches (197) to reach 200 goals.[176] On 17 May, Ronaldo headed the opening goal from a Mesut Özil corner in the 14th minute against Atletico Madrid in the eventual 2–1 Copa del Rey final loss, which was also his 111 goal (201 overall) in his 100th home appearance.[177] He was shown a straight red card in the 114th minute of extra time of the final for an altercation with Gabi.[178] He was charged for the accumulation of yellow cards and violent conduct by the RFEF, banned for the two games in the last 16 of the 2013–14 Copa del Rey.[179]
Accounting for all competitions, Ronaldo ended the season with a total of 53 goals, having scored 29 goals with his right foot (excluding free-kicks and penalty-kicks), 16 with his left foot and 8 with his head.[180] Ronaldo ended his fourth season at Real Madrid by reaching the final of the 2012–13 Copa del Rey, semi-finals in the 2012–13 UEFA Champions League for the third consecutive year, and second place in the 2012–13 La Liga with 85 points.
2013–14 season
Real Madrid's failure to win major silverware last season and reports of division in the dressing room had prompted speculation that Ronaldo, whose contract runs until June 2015, might be seeking a move away from the Spanish capital.[181][182][183][184] On 8 June 2013, Ronaldo moved to quell the speculation over his future by insisting that he would reach a deal to renew his contract with Real Madrid in the summer.[185] On 13 June 2013, Ronaldo flatly denied that any agreement had been struck in a brief message to his 58 million Facebook and 18.9 million Twitter followers.[186][187] On 3 July 2013, Ronaldo admitted that he was missing the English Premier League, but ruled out an imminent move back to Old Trafford.[188] On 5 August 2013, Ronaldo refused to confirm reports from Spain that he had agreed a new five-year contract with Real Madrid, before hinting that there would soon be an update on his situation.[189]
On 18 August 2013, Ronaldo made his 200th competitive appearance for Real Madrid in a 2–1 home win over Real Betis.[190] Ronaldo had not scored during the first two league games, but against Athletic Bilbao on 1 September 2013, he scored his first of the season in a 3–1 home victory.[191]
International career

Ronaldo playing against Brazil in February 2007.
Ronaldo earned his first cap for Portugal in a 1–0 victory against Kazakhstan on 20 August 2003.[192]
Euro 2004
Ronaldo was called up for Euro 2004,[193] scoring his first international goal in a 2–1 group stage loss to eventual champions Greece[194] and scoring again in a 2–1 semi-final win over the Netherlands.[195] He was featured in the UEFA Euro All-Star Team of this competition, despite finishing with only two goals.[196] He also represented Portugal at the 2004 Summer Olympics.[197][198]
2006 World Cup
Ronaldo was the second-highest scorer in World Cup qualification in the European zone with seven goals,[196] and scored his first World Cup goal against Iran with a penalty kick.[199]
During a quarter-final match against England on 1 July 2006, Ronaldo's United teammate Wayne Rooney was sent off for stamping on Portugal defender Ricardo Carvalho. The English media speculated that Ronaldo had influenced referee Horacio Elizondo's decision by aggressively complaining, after which he was seen in replays winking at the Portuguese bench following Rooney's dismissal. After the match, Ronaldo insisted that Rooney was a friend and that he was not pushing for Rooney to be sent off.[200] On 4 July, Elizondo clarified that the red card was due to Rooney's infraction and not the fracas between Rooney and Ronaldo that followed.[201]
The angry reaction from the English press caused Ronaldo to consider leaving United,[202] and he allegedly told Spanish sports daily Marca that he wished to move to Real Madrid.[203] In response to the speculation, Ferguson sent Portuguese assistant manager Carlos Queiroz to speak to Ronaldo in attempt to change his mind, a sentiment that was shared by Rooney.[204][205] Ronaldo stayed, and signed his new five-year extension in April 2007.[206]
Ronaldo was booed during Portugal's semi-final defeat to France,[207] and missed out on the competition's Best Young Player award due to a negative e-mail campaign from England fans.[208] Though the online vote only affected the nomination process, FIFA's Technical Study Group awarded the honour to Germany's Lukas Podolski, citing Ronaldo's behaviour as a factor in the decision.[209]
Post-World Cup
One day after his 22nd birthday, Ronaldo captained Portugal for the first time in a friendly against Brazil on 6 February 2007.[210] This move was in honour of Portuguese Football Federation president Carlos Silva, who had died two days earlier. Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari explained, "Mr. Silva asked me to make [Ronaldo] captain as a gesture... [he] is too young to be captain, but Mr. Silva asked me, and now he is no longer with us."[211]

Ronaldo was made full-time captain of Portugal in 2008.
Euro 2008
Ronaldo scored eight goals in Portugal's UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying campaign,[212] behind Poland's Ebi Smolarek, but finished with only one goal in the tournament as Portugal were eliminated in the quarter-finals with a 2–3 loss against Germany.[213]
When Portugal's squad for the tournament was announced, Ronaldo was given the number 7 shirt previously worn by Luís Figo.[214] Ronaldo was named Man of the Match against the Czech Republic in Group A of the European championships.[215]
When Carlos Queiroz was named Portugal's new coach in July 2008,[216] he appointed Ronaldo as team captain.[217]
2010 World Cup
On 15 June 2010, in Portugal's opening World Cup match against Côte d'Ivoire, Ronaldo was tackled by right-back Guy Demel, which led to an argument and both being booked. The next day, Portugal contacted FIFA to suggest that Ronaldo's yellow card be rescinded since he was "pulled into" the confrontation after having already moved away from the spot where he was tackled, but the appeal was rejected.[218]
Ronaldo was named Man of the Match in all three of Portugal's Group G matches at the World Cup.[219][220][221] His only goal of the tournament came in Portugal's 7–0 group stage thrashing of North Korea on 21 June,[222] which marked his first international goal in 16 months.[223] Portugal were ultimately eliminated by Spain in the Round of 16.
Euro 2012
Ronaldo scored seven goals in Portugal's UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying campaign, including two strikes against Bosnia in the play-offs for the tournament, and finished behind Germany's Miroslav Klose and the Netherlands' Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (not including the play-offs round). Portugal were drawn in Group B with Netherlands, Denmark and Germany, which was widely referred to as the "group of death" of the tournament.[224] In an interview with Kicker Magazine, Ronaldo stated that "I will only be fully content with my career when I have lifted a trophy with Portugal."[225][226][227]

Ronaldo playing against Germany at Euro 2012.
After the opening 0–1 defeat against Germany, Cristiano Ronaldo was criticised for under performing, showing frustration at his and his team-mates' errors and for walking off into the changing-rooms straight after the match, rather than thanking the crowd with the team. Cristiano Ronaldo's team-mate, Nani, later defended him, stating that he had left the pitch as he needed to instantly be treated for a possible injury. He also stated that Ronaldo had been training well and contributing greatly to the team, also adding that he was under excessive pressure, as football is a team sport. Nani finally stated that he believed that Cristiano Ronaldo would soon silence his critics. Luís Figo, however, criticised Cristiano Ronaldo's behaviour, stating that it is the captain's responsibility to always defend the group, despite the result.[228]
During the match between Denmark and Portugal, the Denmark fans chanted Lionel Messi's name whenever Ronaldo was on the ball. Ronaldo squandered two gilt-edged one-on-one chances, and Ronaldo looked frustrated and tormented throughout.[229] Asked about the Messi chants, Ronaldo responded irritatedly: "You know where he was at this time last year? Do you know? He was being eliminated in the Copa America, in his own country. I think that's worse, no? And people say that he is the best player in the world. This sort of thing is normal for great players."[230]
In the final group match between Portugal and the Netherlands, Ronaldo scored two goals to secure a 2–1 victory for Portugal, allowing them to advance to the quarterfinals. He also struck the post twice in the match and was named Man of the Match.[231][232]
Cristiano Ronaldo was praised for his performance against the Czech Republic in the Quarterfinals. After he had twice hit the post, he finally darted in from behind his marker in the 79th minute and headed a cross from Joao Moutinho, sending Portugal into the semifinals with a 1–0 victory over the Czech Republic. After scoring the winning goal, he ran to the camera and was initially accused of chanting "Messi" mockingly, although upon further review, it was found that this was incorrect and that he had in fact simply stated "para ti" as he had dedicated the goal to his son.[233][234]
Ronaldo had several chances for Portugal in the semi-final against Spain, but he sent three shots over the bar.[235] Ronaldo had his best chance in the 90th minute but shot the ball high and wide.[236] The match ended with penalties, but Ronaldo did not take a penalty in the shootout. He had been slated to take the fifth one, but it never got that far.[237] The Portugal coach, Paulo Bento, knocked back criticism of Cristiano Ronaldo not being employed earlier in the shootout. "Well we had this plan and if it would have been 4–4 and he would have taken the last penalty we would talk in a different way," Bento said.[238][239]
Before and throughout the tournament, Ronaldo was particularly hailed by Diego Maradona who even declared Ronaldo as "the best player on the planet" and that "[Ronaldo] has shown his countrymen that he does deserve a monument in Lisbon."[240][241] Ronaldo was included in the UEFA Euro 2012 Team of the Tournament, the second time after 2004, and finished the competition as the joint best scorer with three goals, along with five other players, although Spain's Fernando Torres claimed the Golden Boot.
2014 World Cup cycle
On 17 October 2012, Ronaldo won his 100th cap for the Portugal national team in a World Cup qualification match against Northern Ireland at Porto's Estádio do Dragão. He became the third youngest European ever to reach that figure in the process, after Germany's Lukas Podolski and Estonia's Kristen Viikmäe.[242]
On 14 August 2013, Ronaldo scored his 40th goal for Portugal in a 1–1 friendly draw against the Netherlands.[243] On 6 September 2013, Ronaldo netted his first international hat-trick in a 15-minute spell in the second half at Windsor Park against Northern Ireland in a World Cup qualification match to become Portugal's second-highest scorer ahead of Eusébio.[244][245] With his goals against North Ireland, Ronaldo also established a personal record, since it was the first time that he scored in three consecutive matches with Portugal.[246]
Style of play

Ronaldo, playing for Portugal in 2012, has been compared to four-time FIFA/Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi.
Widely regarded as one of the two best players in the world and as one of the best players to ever play the game,[247][248] Cristiano Ronaldo plays an attacking role, most often playing as either a striker or as a winger,[249][250] and is known for his finishing, pace, dribbling, positioning and his passing and crossing ability.[251][252] He is able to play on either wing as well through the center of the pitch, making him a very versatile attacker.[253]
Tactically, Ronaldo plays a powerful attacking role, often drifting from the left wing into the centre when moving off the ball.[254] Ronaldo is known to be mentally sharp, with good vision, predicting certain plays, and also possesses very good reactions, balance and agility. Although right footed, he is also able to control the ball and cross and finish well with his left foot.[255][256]
Cristiano Ronaldo is known for his pace, skill, control and dribbling ability, as well as his flair in beating players during one on one situations. He is able to finish well both inside the area and from distance.[251][257] He is also an accurate set piece and penalty kick specialist.[258] Uniquely, his height, strength, jumping ability and heading technique have given him an edge in winning aerial challenges for balls, with the majority of his goals often being headers.[259]
Since his arrival at Manchester United, Ronaldo underwent a major body transformation, from a skinny boy to a muscled man. His well-built, muscular body type allows him to keep his balance when protecting the ball.[260] Both Manchester United's strength and conditioning coach Mike Clegg, and French legend Zinedine Zidane have praised Ronaldo's incredible work ethic and that he has been renowned for it.[260][261][262][263] Ronaldo said: "I didn't have any particular idols as a child. My ambition was to play for my national team because that's where the footballers I mostly followed played. I'm sure I used to do stuff I no longer do due to age or experience."[264] Ronaldo once stated his desire to carve his name in history alongside footballing legends such as Pelé and Diego Maradona,[265] and that he would rather be remembered as a role model than one of world football's best players.[266]
However, Ronaldo has at times been criticised for his performance in the national team, on which Maradona has commented: "As good as he is with Real Madrid, he often seems frustrated on the national level, as if he was surrounded by players who do little to assist him."[241] Ronaldo also has been criticised for his diving when tackled. For which José Mourinho has told: "Cristiano is a player who does not have the culture of the swimming pool, he has no culture of simulation, he is a British-trained player, Ferguson trained. In some cases, the simulators are given more protection, and those who are honest are often the losers. I'm not a hypocrite if I say that they (defenders) hit Cristiano very hard, and that the yellow cards do not arrive or are slow in coming."[267] However, Mourinho criticised that Ronaldo does not take criticism well.[268]
Ronaldo has been described as having an "arrogant image" on the field of play with Ronaldo stating that he has become a "victim", because of how he is portrayed in the media.[269] He is often seen moaning, gesticulating and scowling while trying to inspire his team to victory. Ronaldo has insisted that his competitive nature should not be mistaken for arrogance declaring "I was in the swimming pool with my girlfriend and sometimes we like to have a race. Sometimes you have to give her an opportunity to be happy but I win because I don't like to lose. It's simple like that."[269] Former Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, who coached Ronaldo between 2003 and 2008, admitted that people are "jealous" of him.[270]
Ronaldo's direct football style, skill and goalscoring ability have been his most noticeable traits throughout his career, and his overall talent has at times led him to be considered a player who stands out and who can be a match changer.[271]
Ronaldo's increasing reputation led the media to draw comparisons between him and FC Barcelona forward Lionel Messi,[272][273][274][275] which Ronaldo has commented on saying: "Some people say I'm better, other people say it's him, but at the end of the day, they're going to decide who is the best player. Sometimes it makes me tired. For him too because they compare us together all the time. You cannot compare a Ferrari with a Porsche because it's a different engine. You cannot compare them. He does the best things for Barcelona, I do the best things for Madrid. I think we push each other sometimes in the competition, this is why the competition is so high."[276] However, former great players have criticised the comparison, such as Brazilian legend Pelé and Portuguese international Luis Figo, who cited that they have different playing styles.[277][278] Though the comparison has been criticised, many former and current football players have cited Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as the world's finest players.[241][279][280][281][282] Former Brazilian star Roberto Carlos suggested that "...Ronaldo can do much more for Madrid than Messi can for Barcelona. Madrid really depend on Ronaldo to perform well, while Barcelona are so much more than Messi."[283] Former Chelsea star Didier Drogba even labelled the duo as "monsters" for revolutionising statistics for goals scored.[284] Ronaldo's former Real Madrid manager, José Mourinho, once stated: "If both Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo were born in different eras, they would have ruled the football scene and collected 10 FIFA Ballon d'Ors each."[285]
“ "Maturity brings many things. When I went to see them play against City, some of his decision-making in terms of passing was brilliant. One-touch passing, good crosses. In the six years we had him, you just saw his game grow all the time, and he was a fantastic player. Now you see the complete player. His decision-making, his maturity, his experience, plus all the great skills he has got, they all make him the complete player."[286] ”

— Alex Ferguson, Ronaldo's manager at Manchester United, in 2013
Outside football

Personal life

Ronaldo during his spell at Real Madrid.
Ronaldo's father, José Dinis Aveiro, died of an alcoholism-related liver condition at the age of 52 in September 2005 when Ronaldo was 20.[287] Ronaldo has said that he does not drink alcohol and he received libel damages over a Daily Mirror article that reported him drinking heavily in a nightclub while recovering from an injury in July 2008.[288]
In October 2005, a month after his father died, Ronaldo was arrested on suspicion of raping a woman in a London hotel and released on bail.[289] Ronaldo denied the allegations and charges were dropped by Scotland Yard in November 2005 due to "insufficient evidence". Ronaldo issued a statement saying: "I have always strongly maintained my innocence of any wrong-doing and I am glad that this matter is at an end so that I can concentrate on playing for Manchester United."[290]
Ronaldo announced that he had become a father on 3 July 2010. His official Facebook and Twitter pages reference the birth of his son and request privacy.[291] The child, named Cristiano[292] is in full custody of Ronaldo.[291]
Ronaldo has previously dated English models Alice Goodwin[293] and Gemma Atkinson, and since the start of 2010, he has been dating Russian model Irina Shayk.[294] He is a practising Roman Catholic.[295]
Philanthropy
Television footage of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami showed an eight-year-old boy survivor named Martunis wearing a No. 7 Portuguese football jersey who was stranded for 19 days after his family was killed. Following this, Ronaldo visited Aceh, Indonesia, to raise funds for rehabilitation and reconstruction.[296][297] After accepting undisclosed damages from a libel case against The Sun newspaper in 2008, Ronaldo donated the damages to a charity in Madeira.[298] In 2009, Ronaldo donated £100,000 to the hospital that saved his mother's life in Madeira following her battle with cancer, so that they could build a cancer centre in his native island Madeira.[299] In support of the victims of the 2010 Madeira flood, Ronaldo pledged to play in a charity match in Madeira between the Primeira Liga club FC Porto and players from Madeiran based clubs Marítimo and Nacional.[300]
In November 2011, Ronaldo donated a pair of his football boots to be auctioned by Real Madrid's 'Clasico' network. They were sold for £2050 with the proceeds going to fund schools in Gaza, Palestine.[301] In May 2012, Ronaldo and his agent, Jorge Mendes, decided to fund a pioneering treatment for a nine-year-old boy when it seemed that there was no hope left for the child, who has been battling cancer since before his second birthday.[302] In November 2012, Ronaldo sold the golden boot he had won in 2011 for €1.5 million and gave the money to fund schools for children in Gaza.[303] In January 2013, Ronaldo became Save the Children's new Global Artist Ambassador, in which he hopes to help fight child hunger and obesity.[304] In March 2013, Ronaldo agreed to be the ambassador for The Mangrove Care Forum in Indonesia. The forum aims to raise awareness to the Indonesian and international community of the importance of conserving biodiversity and ecosystem of mangroves in the South Bay of Benoa, Bali.[305]
Wealth
In March 2010, France Football ranked Ronaldo third in its list of the world's highest paid footballers, behind David Beckham and Lionel Messi, with £27 million (€29.2 million) in combined income from salaries, bonuses and off-field earnings.[306][307] His net wealth is estimated at $160 million.[308]
Sponsorships
Ronaldo has signed many sponsorships as his reputation rapidly grew from his time at Manchester United.[309] In October 2009, Ronaldo was named the new spokesmodel for Emporio Armani men's underwear and jeans.[310] In February 2010, he re-upped his endorsement contract with American sportswear company Nike until 2014.[311] He has also signed other sponsorships from Coca-Cola, Castrol, Konami, Banco Espirito Santo, Motorola, Jacob & Co., Herbalife and KFC.[312][313][314][315][316][317][318] All of his sponsorships have earned him a total of an estimated $21 million per year as of June 2013.[319] In June 2012, SportsPro rated Ronaldo as the 5th most marketable athlete in the world,[320] but he slipped to the eighth position in 2013.[321]
Media
Ronaldo's autobiography, titled Moments, was published in December 2007.[322] Along with one of his sisters, Ronaldo opened a fashion boutique under the name "CR7" (his initials and shirt number).[323] There are currently two CR7 shop locations, both of which are in Portugal; one in Lisbon and the other in Madeira.
On 9 June 2010, Madame Tussauds London unveiled Ronaldo's waxwork as part of the build-up to the World Cup. Ronaldo joined fellow footballers Steven Gerrard, Pelé and David Beckham at the event's venue.[324] Ronaldo is sponsored by the U.S. sportswear company Nike and features in their television advertisements.[325]
Ronaldo was featured on the front cover of the video games FIFA Street 2 and Pro Evolution Soccer 2008. In May 2011, Ronaldo was confirmed as the new face of FIFA's rival football series PES with his debut as a cover star of the series Pro Evolution Soccer 2012 and was also involved in promotional campaigns for the game.[326] In December 2011, Cristiano launched an iPhone game called Heads Up with Cristiano. The game is created by developer RockLive.[327] Ronaldo was then the face of Pro Evolution Soccer 2013, and was also involved in the motion capturing and the trailers.[328]
In August 2010, Ronaldo reached 10 million fans on Facebook and in doing so made history by becoming the first non-American personality ever to achieve that kind of success on the social networking site.[329] In October 2012, Ronaldo became the first sportsperson to reach 50 million followers on Facebook.[330] According to Forbes, Ronaldo had the 5th highest social rank in the world in 2012, bettered only by Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Justin Bieber, and Katy Perry.[331]
In September 2011, Castrol EDGE presented "Cristiano Ronaldo: Tested to the Limit", an award-winning documentary that showed Ronaldo undertaking a series of challenges while under scientific examination.[332] On 17 May 2012, Ronaldo and Castrol EDGE launched a live-streamed football challenge against fans through Facebook. #RonaldoLIVE was the world's first interactive football challenge streamed live through Facebook from a state-of-the-art testing facility in Madrid.[333]
In July 2012, Ronaldo was revealed by computer security company McAfee as the most "dangerous" footballer online in cyberspace. According to McAfee, fans on the internet searching out for "Cristiano Ronaldo", "Cristiano Ronaldo download", "Cristiano Ronaldo and photos" or "Cristiano Ronaldo and videos" might run the risks of online threats that could steal their personal information. Ronaldo gained highest percentage of overall risk of 6.2% followed by Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimović with 5%, and England captain Steven Gerrard with 4.5%.[334]
In December 2012, Ronaldo joined FIFA's '11 for Health' programme. The programme features together eleven top football stars to raise awareness amongst kids of how to steer clear of conditions including drug addiction, HIV, malaria and obesity. The organisation managed to persuade both Lionel Messi and Ronaldo to join forces for the initiative.[335][336]
Career statistics

Club
As of 1 September 2013[337][338]
Club Season League1 Cup League Cup Europe Other2 Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Sporting CP 2002–03 25 3 3 2 – 3 0 0 0 31 5
Total 25 3 3 2 – 3 0 0 0 31 5
Manchester United 2003–04 29 4 5 2 1 0 5 0 0 0 40 6
2004–05 33 5 7 4 2 0 8 0 0 0 50 9
2005–06 33 9 2 0 4 2 8 1 – 47 12
2006–07 34 17 7 3 1 0 11 3 – 53 23
2007–08 34 31 3 3 0 0 11 8 1 0 49 42
2008–09 33 18 2 1 4 2 12 4 2 1 53 26
Total 196 84 26 13 12 4 55 16 3 1 292 118
Real Madrid 2009–10 29 26 0 0 – 6 7 – 35 33
2010–11 34 40 8 7 – 12 6 – 54 53
2011–12 38 46 5 3 – 10 10 2 1 55 60
2012–13 34 34 7 7 – 12 12 2 2 55 55
2013–14 3 1 0 0 – 0 0 – 3 1
Total 138 147 20 17 – 40 35 4 3 202 202
Career total 359 234 49 32 12 4 98 51 7 4 525 325
12010–11 season notice: Does not include one goal scored on 18 September 2010 against Real Sociedad. Marca, which awards the Pichichi Trophy, attribute it to Ronaldo while La Liga and UEFA attribute it to Pepe.[102]
2Includes other competitive competitions, including the Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira, FA Community Shield, UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup and Supercopa de España.
International

Ronaldo playing against Argentina in Geneva, Switzerland on 9 February 2011.
As of 14 August 2013.[339]
National team Year Apps Goals
Portugal 2003 2 0
2004 16 7
2005 10 2
2006 14 6
2007 10 5
2008 8 1
2009 7 1
2010 11 3
2011 9 7
2012 13 5
2013 6 6
Total 106 43
International goals
Scores and results list Portugal's goal tally first.
[show]Goal Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
Honours

Ronaldo with Lionel Messi before an international friendly between Portugal and Argentina in Geneva, Switzerland on 9 February 2011.
Club
Manchester United
Premier League (3): 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09
FA Cup (1): 2003–04; Runner-up (2): 2004–05, 2006–07
Football League Cup (2): 2005–06, 2008–09
FA Community Shield (1): 2007
UEFA Champions League (1): 2007–08; Runner-up (1): 2008–09
FIFA Club World Cup (1): 2008
Real Madrid
La Liga (1): 2011–12
Copa del Rey (1): 2010–11; Runner-up (1): 2012–13
Supercopa de España (1): 2012; Runner up (1): 2011
International
Portugal
FIFA World Cup:
Fourth place (1): 2006
UEFA European Championship:
Runner-up (1): 2004
Bronze (1): 2012
Individual
UEFA Euro Team of the Tournament (2): 2004, 2012
Bravo Award (1): 2004
FIFPro Special Young Player of the Year (2): 2004, 2005
PFA Young Player of the Year (1): 2006–07
Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year (3): 2003–04, 2006–07, 2007–08
PFA Players' Player of the Year (2): 2006–07, 2007–08
PFA Fans' Player of the Year (2): 2006–07, 2007–08
FWA Footballer of the Year (2): 2006–07, 2007–08
Barclays Player of the Year (2): 2006–07, 2007–08
Premier League Player of the Month (4): November 2006, December 2006, January 2008, March 2008
Premier League Golden Boot (1): 2007–08
UEFA Champions League Topscorer (2): 2007–08, 2012–13
UEFA Club Forward of the Year (1): 2007–08
UEFA Club Footballer of the Year (1): 2007–08
FIFA Club World Cup Silver Ball (1): 2008
UEFA Euro 2008 Man of the Match (1): Czech Republic vs Portugal
Ballon d'Or (1): 2008
FIFA World Player of the Year (1): 2008
FIFPro World Player of the Year (1): 2008
Onze d'Or (1): 2008
World Soccer Player of the Year (1): 2008
PFA Premier League Team of the Year (4): 2005–06, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09
FIFA Puskás Award (1): 2009
European Golden Shoe (2): 2007–08, 2010–11
UEFA Team of the Year (7): 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012
FIFA FIFPro World XI (6): 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012
Goal.com Player of the Year (2): 2008, 2012
FIFA World Cup 2010 Man of the Match (3): Côte d'Ivoire vs Portugal, Portugal vs Korea DPR, Portugal vs Brazil
La Liga top scorer (1): 2010–11
Copa del Rey top goalscorer (1): 2010–11
Trofeo Alfredo Di Stéfano (1): 2011–12
ESM Team of the Year (4): 2006–07, 2007–08, 2010–11, 2011–12
UEFA Euro 2012 Man of the Match (2): Portugal vs Netherlands, Czech Republic vs Portugal
Ibero-American Community Trophy (1): 2011[340]
Orders
PRT Order of Prince Henry - Officer BAR.png Officer of the Order of Infante Dom Henrique[341]
PRT Ordem de Nossa Senhora da Conceicao de Vila Vicosa Cavaleiro ribbon.svg Medal of Merit, Order of the Immaculate Conception of Vila Viçosa (House of Bragança)[342]
Records
(As of September 3, 2013)
Europe
The only player to have won the European Golden Shoe in two different leagues (English Premier League and Spanish La Liga)
First top European league player to reach 40 goals in a single season in two consecutive years
Most consecutive UEFA Champions League matches scored in: 6 matches (shared with Marouane Chamakh and Burak Yılmaz)
Spain
The first player to score against every team in a single season in La Liga
The first player ever to score in six consecutive Clásicos
Portugal
Portugal all-time top scorer in UEFA Euro matches (6 goals, held jointly with Nuno Gomes)
Real Madrid
Most goals scored in a season in all competitions for Real Madrid: 60 goals
Most goals scored in a single La Liga season for Real Madrid: 46 goals
Most goals scored in a single UEFA Champions League season for Real Madrid: 12 goals
Most hat-tricks in a single season for Real Madrid: 7 hat-tricks
Fastest Real Madrid player to reach one hundred league goals
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^ Isola, Frank (27 June 2012). "Euro 2012: Cristiano Ronaldo watches as Portugal falls to Spain in semis on penalty kicks". NY Daily News. Retrieved 3 July 2012.
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^ Agencies (28 June 2012). "Euro 2012: Cesc Fábregas says Spain's place in final is a 'miracle'". Guardian. Retrieved 3 July 2012.
^ "Euro 2012: Cristiano Ronaldo says coach told him to take fifth penalty". Guardian. 28 June 2012. Retrieved 3 July 2012.
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^ a b c Maradona: Ronaldo is Portugal's only threat. Gareth McKnight. Goal.com. 9 June 2012. Retrieved 9 June 2012.
^ "Centurion Ronaldo honoured by UEFA". UEFA. 17 October 2012. Retrieved 15 August 2013.
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^ http://www.goal.com/en/match/92488/n-ireland-vs-portugal/report
^ http://www.goal.com/en/news/468/internationals/2013/09/06/4243648/ronaldo-hat-trick-breaks-eusebio-record4
^ www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/Actualidad_Primer_Equipo/1330159676408/noticia/Noticia/Cristiano_Ronaldo_makes_a_‘hat-trick’_and_is_now_the_second_top_goal_scorer_in_history_for_the_P.htm
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^ Haugstad, Thore (17 October 2012). "Analysis: The evolution of Cristiano Ronaldo". Haugstadfootball.net. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
^ a b "Cristiano Ronaldo Bio, Stats, News". espn.com. Retrieved 26 February 2012.
^ "Cristiano Ronaldo, winger/forward – Best starting XI in Premier League history". Sports.ca.msn.com. 17 May 2013. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
^ "Why Cristiano Ronaldo is better than Lionel Messi!". Zeenews.india.com. 26 August 2012. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
^ "Cristiano Ronaldo: Why His All-Around Game Is Better Than Messi's". Bleacher Report. 21 August 2011. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
^ "Cristiano Ronaldo and the Three Ghosts of Football". Readingpop.wordpress.com. 14 June 2012. Retrieved 19 July 2012.
^ "Cristiano Ronaldo – The Genius worth following". Thefootballaddictblog.wordpress.com. Retrieved 19 July 2012.
^ 12:05 (13 February 2012). "The Mechanization of Cristiano Ronaldo: How his style of play has changed". O-Posts. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
^ "From Messi to Ronaldo – the world's best free-kick takers". Retrieved 4 November 2012.
^ Manchester United. "How did Cristiano Ronaldo score his incredible header against Manchester United?". Telegraph. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
^ a b "Cristiano Ronaldo Body Transformation". Goal Score Soccer. Retrieved 2013-09-02.
^ By Eurosport (5 March 2013). "How Ronaldo became the world’s best: the inside story". Uk.eurosport.yahoo.com. Retrieved 13 March 2013.
^ "Zidane: "No one should ever doubt about Cristiano Ronaldo's love for Real Madrid"". Ronaldo7.net. Retrieved 19 July 2012.
^ "Zidane: 'Phenomenal' Ronaldo 'at times even better than me'!". extrafootie.co.uk. 12 October 2009. Retrieved 14 July 2013.
^ "Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo: I didn't have any particular idols as a child". Live Soccer TV. 21 October 2011. Retrieved 14 June 2012.
^ "Ronaldo: I want to make 'history' like Pele & Maradona". Retrieved 4 November 2012.
^ "Cristiano Ronaldo would rather be remembered as a role model than one of world football’s best players". GiveMeFootball. Retrieved 22 December 2012.
^ "Jose Mourinho insists his Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo is an honest player". Dailymail.co.uk. 2 September 2010. Retrieved 14 June 2012.
^ Agencies. "José Mourinho says Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo is a know-it-all". Guardian. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
^ a b "Ronaldo admits perceived arrogance has cost him". CNN. 8 November 2012. Retrieved 23 November 2012.
^ Law, Matt (2012-04-18). "Luiz Felipe Scolari: 'Cristiano Ronaldo's problem is Lionel Messi'". Sports Mole. Retrieved 2013-09-02.
^ Purnell, Gareth (21 August 2009). "Manchester United will miss Ronaldo says Lampard". The Independent. Retrieved 22 December 2012.
^ "Messi is like Kryptonite to Cristiano Ronaldo's Superman: The story behind football's greatest modern rivalry". Goal.com. 20 April 2012. Retrieved 19 July 2012.
^ "Messi vs. Ronaldo: Ending the 'Greatest Footballer in the World' Debate". Bleacher Report. 17 May 2012. Retrieved 19 July 2012.
^ Craig Dobson (29 March 2012). "Cristiano Ronaldo: the world's second-best footballer?". The Yorker. Retrieved 19 July 2012.
^ "El Clasico Special: Five Reasons Why Cristiano Ronaldo Is Better Than Lionel Messi". Goal.com. 28 November 2010. Retrieved 11 June 2012.
^ "Cristiano Ronaldo— CNN.com". Edition.cnn.com. 29 May 2012. Retrieved 11 June 2012.
^ "Pelé: "We simply can't compare Messi and Ronaldo. They got different styles"". Ronaldo7.net. Retrieved 3 July 2012.
^ "It's not right to compare Barcelona's Lionel Messi & Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo – Luis Figo". Goal.com. Retrieved 3 July 2012.
^ "Brazilian legend joins great Messi v Ronaldo debate". GiveMeFootball. Retrieved 9 December 2012.
^ "Brazil legend Ronaldo: Messi will beat Cristiano to the Ballon d'Or". 7M Sports. Retrieved 9 December 2012.
^ "Iniesta: "Cristiano Ronaldo is a great player, one of the best in the World"". Ronaldo7.net. 21 October 2011. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
^ "Kaka: ‘Cristiano is the most complete player’". MTNFootball. Retrieved 23 July 2012.
^ "Cristiano Ronaldo more important for Real Madrid than Lionel Messi is for Barcelona – Roberto Carlos". Goal.com. 15 April 2011. Retrieved 30 August 2012.
^ "Drogba: Ronaldo and Messi have revolutionized goal scoring". Goal.com. 28 May 2013. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
^ "José Mourinho: "Cristiano Ronaldo deserves the FIFA Balon d'Or this season"". Ronaldo7.net. 13 May 2012. Retrieved 3 July 2012.
^ Press Association (9 January 2013). "Cristiano Ronaldo is the 'complete player', admits Sir Alex Ferguson". Guardian. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
^ "MANCHESTER UNITED BLOG: Death of his father helped Ronaldo shine". Dentough-manchesterunited.blogspot.com. 8 June 2007. Retrieved 2 April 2011.
^ "Ronaldo receives libel damages over drink story". USA Today. 9 November 2009. Retrieved 12 April 2010.
^ "Premiership footballer in rape inquiry". Guardian. Retrieved 7 September 2012.
^ "Ronaldo rape charges dropped". Telegraph. Retrieved 7 September 2012.
^ a b "Baby 'joy' for Cristiano Ronaldo". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 4 July 2010. Retrieved 4 July 2010.
^ "Cristiano Ronaldo Names Son Cristiano Jr". Popcrunch.com. 9 July 2010. Retrieved 3 August 2011.
^ Alice Goodwin da catedra sobre sexo on El Argentino (27 May 2010)
^ Cristiano Ronaldo's girlfriend Irina Shayk allows cameras behind the scenes in a video of her recent raunchy GQ shoot, Jody Thompson, Daily Mail, 24 September 2010. Retrieved 19 December 2010.
^ "Exclusive interview – The real Cristiano Ronaldo: My priorities are family, football and money, says Real Madrid star – News". MirrorFootball.co.uk. 2 July 2011. Retrieved 9 June 2013.
^ "Ronaldo raises funds for tsunami-hit Aceh". People's Daily. 13 June 2005. Retrieved 2 April 2011.
^ "Tsunami Survivors: New Life For A Decimated Football Club". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 9 January 2008. Retrieved 3 July 2012.
^ "Cristiano Ronaldo accepts Daily Telegraph libel payout". BBC News. 8 November 2010. Retrieved 6 July 2013.
^ "Ronaldo donates to Cancer-stricken mums saviors". cristianoronaldofan.net. 25 June 2012. Retrieved 25 June 2012.
^ "Ronaldo to play in charity match for Madeira". Reuters. 22 February 2010. Archived from the original on 22 February 2010. Retrieved 22 February 2010.
^ "Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo donates £2,000 to Palestinian children". goal.com 20 November 2011.
^ "Cristiano Ronaldo pays for treatment of boy with cancer". inside World Soccer. 20 June 2012.
^ "Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly donates €1.5mn to children in Gaza". Russia Today. 26 March 2013.
^ "Cristiano Ronaldo Kicks Off the New Year as Save the Children's New Global Artist Ambassador for Child Hunger and Nutrition". Save the Children. 27 March 2013.
^ "Cristiano Ronaldo named ambassador for Indonesian mangrove conservation". inside World Soccer. 11 March 2013.
^ Peck, Brooks (23 March 2010). "Davey Becks no longer the world's best paid footballer". sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved 9 January 2012.
^ "Messi tops rich list ahead of Beckham – Sports – Football – ibnlive". Ibnlive.in.com. 23 March 2012. Retrieved 14 June 2012.
^ "Highest-Paid Footballers 2012 – Richest Footballers " The Richest People in the World 2012". Therichest.org. Retrieved 3 July 2012.
^ Robert Booth. "From £175 to £80m in 14 years – but can Cristiano Ronaldo earn it like Beckham?". The Guardian. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
^ Pruitt, Allie. "New Cristiano Ronaldo, Megan Fox Armani Ads". Weekly World News. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
^ "Ronaldo offered $9 million Nike deal". Smh.com.au. 26 February 2010. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
^ "Ronaldo endorses lubricants giant – Sports Personal Endorsement news – Soccer". SportsPro Media. Retrieved 10 July 2013.
^ "Is Cristiano Ronaldo The World's Most Marketable Athlete?". Forbes. 7 November 2012. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
^ "Forbes: Top Soccer Earners". Soccer Training Info. 30 June 2009. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
^ "Cristiano Ronaldo is second highest earner in Forbs list". Cristianoronaldoportugal.com. 23 April 2010. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
^ "Cristiano Ronaldo Becomes New Face of Watch Brand Jacob & Co". Isportconnect.com. 19 April 2013. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
^ [1][dead link]
^ "Cristiano Ronaldo tucks into bucket of KFC in new advert". inside World Soccer. 17 May 2013.
^ "Cristiano Ronaldo". Forbes. 18 April 2012. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
^ "MS Dhoni, Mary Kom world's 16th, 38th most marketable athletes". The Times of India. 26 June 2012.
^ "Neymar tops list of most marketable athletes in the world". inside World Soccer. 14 May 2013.
^ "Moments". Chapters. 27 March 2009.
^ Pink, Stuart (27 March 2009). "Winker's dodgy clobber on sale". London: The Sun.
^ "Madame Tussauds London unveils Cristiano Ronaldo's waxwork". inside World Soccer. 10 June 2010. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
^ NikeFootball. "Nike Football: My Time Is Now (Subtitles Available)". YouTube. Retrieved 28 June 2012.
^ Parfitt, Ben (31 May 2012). "Ronaldo's PES 2012 cover revealed". Mcvuk.com. Retrieved 14 June 2012.
^ "How Mobile Games Are Sports Stars’ Newest Marketing Channel". Mashable.
^ Parfitt, Ben. "VIDEO: PES 2013 "sees the series returning to its roots"". Mcvuk.com. Retrieved 28 June 2012.
^ "Cristiano Ronaldo gains 10m Facebook fans's waxwork". inside World Soccer. 12 August 2010. Retrieved 12 August 2010.
^ "Ronaldo becomes first sportsman to get 50m Facebook 'likes'". http://ibnlive.in.com/. Retrieved 17 October 2012.
^ The World's Most Powerful Celebrities. Forbes. 16 May 2012. Retrieved 8 June 2012.
^ "Cristiano Ronaldo stars in Castrol ad funded film". inside World Soccer. 13 August 2011. Retrieved 14 June 2012.
^ "Castrol EDGE gives fans chance to challenge Cristiano Ronaldo on Facebook". inside World Soccer. 17 May 2012.
^ "Cristiano Ronaldo is cyberspace's most 'dangerous' footballer". inside World Soccer. 7 July 2012.
^ "Messi and Ronaldo join forces for FIFA's '11 for Health'". MARCA.com. 31 December 2012. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
^ "Football for Health". FIFA.com. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
^ "Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro". Real Madrid C.F. (in English). Retrieved 15 May 2013.
^ "Cristiano Ronaldo Bio, Stats, News – Football / Soccer – – ESPN Soccernet". ESPN Soccernet. Retrieved 15 May 2013.
^ "Cristiano Ronaldo". National Football Teams. Retrieved 18 June 2010.
^ "Cristiano Ronaldo: "I want to dedicate this award to all Real Madrid fans"". Realmadrid.com. 5 December 2012. Retrieved 9 December 2012.
^ "Cristiano Ronaldo". Joomag. Retrieved 27 November 2012.
^ "Selecção distinguida pelo Duque de Bragança" (in Portuguese). Cristiano Ronaldo News. 30 August 2006. Retrieved 30 August 2006.
External links

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Cristiano Ronaldo at the Internet Movie Database

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Lionel Messi
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Messi)
This name uses Spanish naming customs; the first or paternal family name is Messi and the second or maternal family name is Cuccittini.
"Messi" redirects here. For the Cameroonian footballer, see Georges Parfait Mbida Messi.
Not to be confused with Massi (disambiguation), Messe (disambiguation), Messiah, or Messy (disambiguation).
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Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi Player of the Year 2011.jpg
Messi playing for Barcelona at the 2011 FIFA Club World Cup
Personal information
Full name Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini [1]
Date of birth 24 June 1987 (age 26)[2]
Place of birth Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina[2]
Height 1.69 m (5 ft 7 in)[2]
Playing position Forward
Club information
Current club Barcelona
Number 10
Youth career
1995–2000 Newell's Old Boys
2000–2003 Barcelona
Senior career*
Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
2003–2004 Barcelona C 10 (5)
2004–2005 Barcelona B 22 (6)
2004– Barcelona 248 (220)
National team‡
2004–2005 Argentina U20 18 (14)
2007–2008 Argentina U23 5 (2)
2005– Argentina 82 (35)
Honours[show]
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 18:03, 1 September 2013 (UTC).
† Appearances (Goals).
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 14 June 2013
Lionel Andrés "Leo" Messi Cuccittini (Spanish pronunciation: [ljoˈnel anˈdɾes ˈmesi]; born 24 June 1987) is an Argentine footballer who plays as a forward for La Liga club FC Barcelona and the Argentina national team. He serves as the captain of his country's national football team. By the age of 21, Messi had received Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year nominations. The following year, in 2009, he won his first Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year awards. He followed this up by winning the inaugural FIFA Ballon d'Or in 2010, and then again in 2011 & 2012. He also won the 2010–11 UEFA Best Player in Europe Award. At the age of 24, Messi became Barcelona's all-time top scorer in all official club competitions. At age 25, Messi became the youngest player to score 200 La Liga goals.
Widely recognised as the best player in the world and rated by many commentators, coaches, experts and players as the greatest footballer of all time, [3][4][5][6][7] [8][9][10][11][12] Messi is the first football player in history to win four FIFA/Ballon d'Or – all of which he won consecutively – as well as the first to win three European Golden Shoe awards. Messi has won six La Ligas, two Copas del Rey, five Supercopas de España, three UEFA Champions Leagues, two Super Cups and two Club World Cups. In March 2012, Messi made Champions League history by becoming the first player to score five goals in one match. He also matched José Altafini's record of 14 goals in a single Champions League season. Messi became the first player to top-score in four successive Champions League campaigns. Messi set the European record for most goals scored in a season during the 2011–12 season, with 73 goals. In the same season, he set the current goalscoring record in a single La Liga season, scoring 50 goals. On 16 February 2013, Messi scored his 300th Barcelona goal. On 30 March 2013, Messi scored in his 19th consecutive La Liga game, becoming the first footballer in history to net in consecutive matches against every team in a professional football league. Messi later extended his record scoring streak to 21 consecutive league matches. The run ultimately came to a halt in a match against Atlético Madrid in which he had to leave play due to a hamstring injury.
Messi helped Argentina win the 2005 FIFA U-20 World Cup, finishing as both the best player and the top scorer (with 6 goals). In 2006, he became the youngest Argentine to play in the FIFA World Cup and he won a runners-up medal at the Copa América tournament the following year, in which he was elected young player of the tournament. In 2008, he won his first international honour, an Olympic Gold Medal, with the Argentina Olympic football team. SportsPro has rated Lionel Messi as the second-most marketable athlete in the world. His playing style and stature have drawn comparisons to compatriot Diego Maradona, who himself declared Messi his "successor".[13]
Contents [hide]
1 Early life
2 Club career
2.1 Barcelona
2.1.1 2005–06 season
2.1.2 2006–07 season
2.1.3 2007–08 season
2.1.4 2008–09 season
2.1.5 2009–10 season
2.1.6 2010–11 season
2.1.7 2011–12 season
2.1.8 2012–13 season
2.1.9 2013–14 season
3 International career
3.1 2006 World Cup
3.2 2007 Copa América
3.3 2008 Summer Olympics
3.4 2010 World Cup qualification
3.5 2010 World Cup
3.6 2011 Copa América, 2014 World Cup qualification and friendlies
4 Style of play
5 Outside football
5.1 Personal life
5.2 Charity
5.3 Wealth
5.4 Salary
5.5 Media
5.6 Sponsorships
6 Career statistics
6.1 Club
6.1.1 Reserve teams
6.1.2 Senior team
6.2 International
6.2.1 International appearances
6.2.2 International goals
7 Honours
7.1 Barcelona
7.2 Argentina
7.3 Individual
7.4 Records
7.4.1 World
7.4.2 Europe
7.4.3 Argentina
7.4.4 Spain
7.4.5 Barcelona
8 References
9 External links
Early life

Messi was born in Rosario, Santa Fe Province, to parents Jorge Horácio Messi, a factory steel worker, and Celia María Cuccittini, a part-time cleaner.[14][15][16][17] His paternal family originates from the Italian city of Ancona, from which his ancestor, Angelo Messi, emigrated to Argentina in 1883.[18][19] He has two older brothers, Rodrigo and Matías, and a sister, María Sol.[20] At the age of five, Messi started playing football for Grandoli, a local club coached by his father Jorge.[21] In 1995, Messi switched to Newell's Old Boys who were based in his home city Rosario.[21] He became part of a local youth powerhouse that lost only one match in the next four years and became locally known as "The Machine of '87", from the year of their birth.[22]
At the age of 11, Messi was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency.[23] Local powerhouse River Plate showed interest in Messi's progress, but were not willing to pay for treatment for his condition, which cost $900 a month.[17] Carles Rexach, the sporting director of FC Barcelona, was made aware of his talent as Messi had relatives in Lleida in western Catalonia, and Messi and his father were able to arrange a trial with the team.[17] Rexach, with no other paper at hand, offered Messi a contract written on a paper napkin.[24][25] Barcelona offered to pay Messi's medical bills on the condition that he moved to Spain. Messi and his father duly moved to Barcelona, where Messi enrolled in the club's youth academy.[21][25]
Club career

Barcelona
Messi played in Barcelona's junior Infantil B and Cadete B & A teams from 2000 to 2003 (scoring 37 goals in 30 matches in Cadete A). He was nearly released from the club in 2003 because of financial constraints, but his youth coaches convinced management to keep him (Cesc Fabregas was released during this purge).[26] Season 2003–04 saw him on a record[27] five different teams: He started one match in Juvenil B (one goal) and got promoted to Juvenil A (14 matches, 21 goals). Later he debuted for FC Barcelona C team (Tercera División) on 29 November 2003 and for FC Barcelona B (Segunda División B) on 6 March 2004. He played for both teams during the season (ten matches, five goals and five matches, zero goals, respectively).[28][29][30] Even before these two debuts, Messi made his official debut for the first-team on 16 November 2003 aged 16 years and 145 days, in a friendly match against Porto.[31][32]
Less than a year after his start, Frank Rijkaard gave him his league debut against RCD Espanyol on 16 October 2004 (at 17 years and 114 days), becoming the third-youngest player ever to play for Barcelona and youngest club player who played in La Liga, which would be broken by Bojan Krkić in September 2007. When he scored his first senior goal for the club against Albacete Balompié on 1 May 2005, Messi was 17 years, ten months and seven days old, becoming the youngest to ever score in a La Liga game for Barcelona[33] until it was again broken by Bojan Krkić in 2007, scoring from a Messi assist.[34] Messi said about his ex-coach Rijkaard: "I'll never forget the fact that he launched my career, that he had confidence in me while I was only sixteen or seventeen."[35] During the season, Messi played also in Barcelona B (Segunda División B) scoring 6 goals in 17 matches.
2005–06 season
On 16 September, for the second time in three months, Barcelona announced an update to Messi's contract; this time it was improved to pay him as a first team member and extended until June 2014.[21] Messi obtained Spanish citizenship on 26 September 2005[36] and was finally able to make his debut in the season's Spanish First Division. Messi's first home outing in the Champions League came on 27 September against Italian club Udinese.[31] Fans at Barcelona's stadium, the Camp Nou, gave Messi a standing ovation upon his substitution, as his composure on the ball and passing combinations with Ronaldinho had paid dividends for Barcelona.[37]
Messi netted six goals in 17 league appearances, and scored one Champions League goal in six. His season ended prematurely on 7 March 2006, however, when he suffered a muscle tear in his right thigh during the second leg of the second round Champions League tie against Chelsea.[38] Rijkaard's Barcelona ended the season as champions of Spain and Europe.[39][40]
2006–07 season

Messi in a match against Rangers in 2007
In the 2006–07 season, Messi established himself as a regular first team player, scoring 14 times in 26 matches.[41] On 12 November, in the game against Real Zaragoza, Messi suffered a broken metatarsal, ruling him out for three months.[42][43] On 10 March, El Clásico saw Messi in top form, scoring a hat-trick to earn 10-man Barcelona a 3–3 draw, equalising three times, with the final equaliser coming in injury time.[44] In doing so he became the first player since Iván Zamorano (for Real Madrid in the 1994–95 season) to score a hat-trick in El Clásico.[45] Messi is also the youngest player ever to have scored in this fixture. Towards the end of the season he began finding the net more often; 11 of his 14 league goals for the season came from the last 13 games.[46]

Messi shortly before scoring a goal against Getafe
Messi also proved the "new Maradona" tag was not all hype, by nearly replicating Maradona's most famous goals in the space of the single season.[47] On 18 April 2007, he scored two goals during a Copa del Rey semi-final against Getafe CF, one of which was very similar to Maradona's famous goal against England at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, known as the Goal of the Century.[48] The world's sports press drew comparisons with Maradona, and the Spanish press labelled Messi as "Messidona".[49] He ran about the same distance, 62 metres (203 ft), beat the same number of players (six, including the goalkeeper), scored from a very similar position, and ran towards the corner flag just as Maradona did in Mexico 21 years before.[47] In a press conference after the game, Messi's team-mate Deco said: "It was the best goal I have ever seen in my life."[50] Against RCD Espanyol Messi also scored a goal which was remarkably similar to Maradona's 'Hand of God' goal against England in the World Cup quarter-finals. Messi launched himself at the ball and connected with his hand to guide the ball past the goalkeeper Carlos Kameni.[51] Despite protests by Espanyol players and replays showing it was clear handball, the goal stood.[51] During his time at FC Barcelona, manager Frank Rijkaard decided to move Messi from the left flank onto the right wing, initially against the player's wishes, allowing him to cut into the centre of the pitch and shoot or cross with his left foot.[52]
2007–08 season

Messi takes Barcelona to 2–0 against Sevilla at Camp Nou on 22 September 2007
On 27 February, Messi played in his 100th official match for Barcelona against Valencia CF.[53]
Messi was nominated for a FIFPro World XI Player Award under the category of Forward.[54] A poll conducted in the online edition of the Spanish newspaper Marca had him as the best player in the world with 77 percent of the vote.[55] Columnists from Barcelona-based newspapers El Mundo Deportivo and Sport stated that the Ballon d'Or should be given to Messi, a view supported by Franz Beckenbauer.[56] Football personalities such as Francesco Totti have declared that they consider Messi to be one of the current best footballers in the world.[57] Messi finished third in the 2007 Ballon d'Or, behind Kaká and Cristiano Ronaldo, and finished second in the 2007 FIFA World Player of the Year award, once again behind Kaká. He also came in third in the IFFHS World's Best Playmaker Award, once again behind Kaká and Andrea Pirlo.[58]
Messi was sidelined for six weeks following an injury on 4 March when he suffered a muscle tear in his left thigh during a Champions League match against Celtic FC. It was the fourth time in three seasons that Messi suffered this type of injury.[59] Messi scored 6 goals and provided 1 assist during the Champions League that season, as Barcelona were knocked out in the semi-finals, to the eventual winners Manchester United. When the season was over Messi had managed to score 16 goals and assisted 13 times in all competitions.
2008–09 season
Upon Ronaldinho's departure from the club, Messi inherited his number 10 jersey.[60] During this season he placed second in the 2008 FIFA World Player of the Year awards with 678 points and third in the 2008 IFFHS World's Best Playmaker Award for the second consecutive year.[61]

Messi in action against Manchester United in the 2009 UEFA Champions League Final
Messi scored his first hat-trick of 2009 in a Copa del Rey tie against Atlético Madrid which Barcelona won 3–1.[62] Messi scored another important double on 1 February 2009, coming on as a second half substitute to help Barcelona defeat Racing Santander 1–2 after being 1–0 down. The second of the two strikes was Barcelona's 5000th league goal.[63] On 8 April 2009, he scored twice against Bayern Munich in the Champions League, setting a personal record of eight goals in the competition.[64]
As Barcelona's season was drawing to a close, Messi scored twice (his 35th and 36th goals in all competitions) to cap a 6–2 win over Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu[65] in what was Real's heaviest defeat since 1930.[66] He won his first Copa del Rey on 13 May, scoring one goal and assisting another two, in a 4–1 victory over Athletic Bilbao.[67] He helped his team win the double by winning La Liga. On 27 May he helped Barcelona win the Champions League by scoring a second goal in the 70th minute giving Barcelona a two goal lead; he also became the top scorer in the Champions League, the youngest in the tournament's history, with nine goals.[68] Messi also won the UEFA Club Forward of the Year: and the UEFA Club Footballer of the Year rounding off a spectacular year in Europe.[69] This victory meant Barcelona had won the Copa del Rey, La Liga and Champions League in the one season,[70] and was the first time a Spanish club had ever won the treble.[71] Messi finished the season with 38 goals and 18 assists in all competitions.
2009–10 season
After winning the 2009 UEFA Super Cup, Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola asserted that Messi was probably the best player he had ever seen.[72] This would also be the season in which Guardiola would first move Messi from the position of right winger into his now iconic "false-9" role in the centre of the front line at Barcelona.[73] On 18 September, Messi signed a new contract with Barcelona, running until 2016 and with a buy-out clause of €250 million included, making Messi, then along with Zlatan Ibrahimović, the highest paid players in La Liga, with earnings of around €9.5 million yearly.[74][75]

Messi at the 2009 FIFA Club World Cup
Messi was named winner of the 2009 Ballon d'Or on 1 December 2009, beating runner-up Cristiano Ronaldo by largest ever margin of 473 to 233.[76][77][78] He also placed 2nd in the 2009 IFFHS World's Best Playmaker Award.[79] behind team mate Xavi Hernández.
On 19 December, Messi scored the winner in the final of the 2009 Club World Cup against Estudiantes in Abu Dhabi, giving the club their sixth title of the year.[80] Two days later, he was given the FIFA World Player of the Year award, beating Cristiano Ronaldo, Xavi, Kaká and Andrés Iniesta.[81] This was the first time he had won the award, and he became the first Argentinian to ever receive this honour.[82] On 10 January 2010, Messi scored his first hat-trick in 2010 and his first hat-trick of the season against CD Tenerife in the 0–5 victory,[83] and on 17 January he scored his 100th goal for the club in the 4–0 victory over Sevilla FC.[84]
Messi scored a hat-trick against Valencia CF in a 3–0 home win,[85] and finally he scored another hat-trick against Real Zaragoza in a 4–2 away win,[86] becoming the first Barcelona player to score back-to-back hat-tricks in La Liga.[87] He played his 200th official match for Barcelona against CA Osasuna on 24 March 2010.[88]
On 6 April 2010, for the first time in Messi's career he scored four goals in a single match, netting the lot in a 4–1 home win over Arsenal in the Champions League quarter-final second leg.[89][90] This also saw him overtake Rivaldo as Barcelona's all time greatest scorer in the competition.[91] In the final league match of the season against Valladolid, he scored two goals in the second half to tie Ronaldo's club record of 34 goals in a single league season, set in 1996–97,[92][93] and to finish four goals behind the all-time record held by Telmo Zarra.[94] He was named La Liga player of the year for the second year in a row on 3 June 2010.[95] He finished the season with 47 goals in all competitions, tying Ronaldo's record from the 1996–97 season, and he provided 11 assists.[96]
2010–11 season
On 21 August 2010, Messi scored a hat-trick in his first start of the season in a 4–0 victory over Sevilla FC in the Supercopa de España, helping Barcelona secure their first trophy of the season after a 1–3 first leg loss.[97]
On 19 September 2010, Messi suffered an ankle injury due to an ill-advised tackle by Atlético Madrid defender Tomáš Ujfaluši in the 92nd minute of their Round 3 match at the Vicente Calderón Stadium. At first sight it was feared that Messi suffered a broken ankle that could have kept the star player away from the pitch for a minimum of six months, but MRI performed the next day in Barcelona showed he suffered a sprain in the internal and external ligaments of his right ankle.[98] Team-mate David Villa stated "the tackle on Messi was brutal" after watching the video of the play and also added that he believed the Atlético defender "didn't go into the tackle to hurt".[99] The incident caused widespread media attention and brought up the debate of equality in protecting all players in the game.
Against UD Almería Messi scored his second hat-trick of the season in an impressive 8–0 away win, the second of which was his 100th La Liga goal.[100]

Messi playing against Real Madrid in a Champions League match
Messi won the 2010 FIFA Ballon d'Or, beating his Barcelona teammates Xavi and Iniesta.[101] Messi had been nominated for the awards for the fourth consecutive year.[102] On 5 February, Barcelona broke the record for most consecutive league wins with 16 victories after they defeated Atlético Madrid 3–0 at the Camp Nou.[103] Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick to ensure the victory for his side and after the match he stated, "it's an honor to be able to pass a record set by a great like Di Stéfano" and "if the record has been around for so long is because it's very complicated to achieve and we have reached it by defeating a very difficult team who's going through a bad situation, which makes it even more difficult."[104]
After failing to score for a month he scored a brace against UD Almería; the second goal was his 47th of the season, equalling his club record return of the previous season.[105] He surpassed his record on 12 April 2011 by scoring the winner against Shakhtar Donetsk in a UEFA Champions League game, which put him in the record book as all time top scorer in a single season for Barcelona.[106] He scored his eighth goal on El Clásico on a 1–1 tie at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. On 23 April, Messi scored his 50th goal of the season against CA Osasuna in a 2–0 home victory which he came on as a substitute in the 60th minute.[107] He finished the season by winning La Liga and scoring 31 goals as he finished runner-up in the Pichichi trophy to Cristiano Ronaldo, who had managed to score 40. Messi finished the league season as the top assist provider with 18 assists.
On 20 April, Barcelona were defeated by arch-rivals Real Madrid in the 2011 Copa del Rey Final. Messi set up a goal for Pedro, which was however ruled offside. Cristiano Ronaldo scored the only goal of the match in extra time. Messi was however the joint top-scorer of the tournament along with Cristiano Ronaldo, with 7 goals.[108][109][109]
In the first leg of the Champions League semi-finals, he gave a memorable performance, scoring twice against Real Madrid in a 2–0 win, the second goal (a dribble past several players) being acclaimed as one of the best ever at that stage of the competition.[110][111] At the Champions League Final at Wembley, Messi scored the eventual game-clinching goal to give Barcelona their third title in six years and fourth overall.[112] This was also Messi's 12th goal in the Champions League that season, which allowed him to tie Ruud Van Nistelrooy's record of 12 goals in a single European Cup season, after it was re-established as the UEFA Champions League, in 1992.[109] The overall record of goals scored in a single European Cup Season, is José Altafini's record of 14 goals, which Messi did however equal in the following season.[109] Messi finished the 2010–11 season with 53 goals and 24 assists in all competitions combined.
2011–12 season

Barcelona and Messi celebrate winning the 2011 FIFA Club World Cup.
Messi started the season by lifting the Spanish Supercup with Barcelona, scoring three goals and providing two assists in a 5–4 aggregate win against Real Madrid.[113] His vital interventions continued in the next official match played against Porto when he scored again following a weak back pass from Fredy Guarín before setting up Cesc Fàbregas to give Barcelona a 2–0 victory and the UEFA Super Cup,[114] then the only official competition that remained for him to score in.[115]
After scoring his first goal of an eventual hat-trick in an 8–0 rout against CA Osasuna, Messi produced a special celebration for Soufian, a 10-year-old Moroccan boy with Laurin Sandrow syndrome, a rare medical condition that can eventually lead to the loss of the lower extremities. Whilst Messi usually points to the sky after scoring a goal, Messi slapped his thighs as a dedication to Soufian.[116]
In August, Messi became the second highest goalscorer surpassing László Kubala on 194 goals, being behind only to César Rodríguez on 232 goals in all official competitions.[117]
On 28 September, Messi scored his first two Champions League goals of the season against BATE Borisov,[118] becoming Barcelona's second highest goalscorer in its history, tying László Kubala, at 194 goals in all official competitions.[119] He surpassed that record when he scored two goals against Racing Santander.[120] He became second in Barcelona's La Liga goalscorers list with 132 goals, one more than Kubala.[121] He scored his 200th Barcelona goal and two more as part of a hat-trick in his next game against Viktoria Plzeň in the Champions League.[122]

Messi (centre) playing at the 2011 FIFA Club World Cup.
Messi scored a brace in the Club World Cup Final against Santos FC and was recognized as the man of the match and also awarded the Golden Ball for his performance during the tournament.[123]
Messi won the 2011 UEFA Best Player in Europe Award, beating his FC Barcelona team-mate Xavi Hernández and Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo. Messi won the 2011 FIFA Ballon d'Or, again beating his team-mate Xavi and Cristiano Ronaldo. By winning the FIFA Ballon d'Or again, Messi become the fourth player to win three Ballon d'Ors, after Johan Cruyff, Michel Platini and Marco Van Basten and the second player to win three consecutive Ballon d'Ors, after Michel Platini (although two of his Ballon d'Ors are FIFA Ballon d'Ors, which he won consecutively). Messi also won the IFFHS World's Top Goal Scorer award, with 19 goals in 2011.[124]
On 19 February 2012, Messi, on his 200th La Liga appearance, scored four goals against Valencia CF in a 5–1 win.[125] On 7 March, Messi became the first player to score five goals in an UEFA Champions League match since the tournament's re-establishment in 1992, helping the defending champions Barcelona win 7–1 against Bayer Leverkusen.[126]
On 20 March, Messi scored three goals against Granada, making him FC Barcelona's leading goalscorer in official competitions, surpassing club legend César Rodríguez, who had previously held the record with 232.[127]
On 3 April, Messi scored two goals from penalty kicks against Milan in the second leg of the Champions League quarter-final, allowing him to surpass his personal record, joint with Ruud van Nistelrooy, of 12 goals in a single UEFA Champions League season. These goals allowed him to tie José Altafini's record of 14 goals in a single European Cup season in the 1962–63 season, before the tournament's re-establishment as the UEFA Champions League in 1992.[109] Messi was unable to score in the semi-finals, although he provided an assist in the second leg, as Barcelona were knocked out to eventual winners Chelsea. During the second leg match, Messi missed an important penalty, hitting the crossbar. The goal would have put Barcelona ahead on aggregate.
On 11 April, Messi scored his 61st goal of the season against Getafe CF, and made two assists.[128] On 2 May, Messi scored a hat-trick against Málaga CF surpassing Gerd Müller's record (67 goals in 1972–73) with 68 goals, and thus becoming the best goalscorer in history in one season in Europe.[129] It was the 21st multi-goal game of the season for Messi and his seventh La Liga hat-trick.[130] He then scored four goals on 5 May against RCD Espanyol to take his tally to an unprecedented 72 goals, in the process becoming only the second player to pass 70 goals in a first division season since Archie Stark of Bethlehem Steel in the American Soccer League in 1924–25.[131]

Messi playing against Real Madrid during the 2011–12 Copa del Rey
On 25 May, he scored again in the 2012 Copa del Rey Final, helping Barcelona win their 26th Spanish Cup title, and increasing his seasonal goalscoring record to an unmatched 73 goals in all competitions.[132][133] This was also Guardiola's last match as Barcelona's manager, and the Cup win marked Messi's second Copa del Rey title, after losing the final the year before, as well as his 14th Barcelona trophy during Guardiola's four seasons at the club. Although Barcelona failed to win their 4th consecutive Liga title under Guardiola, finishing runners up to arch-rivals Real Madrid, Messi finished the 2011–12 season as the top goalscorer in La Liga for a second time, with a Liga record of 50 goals. He was the second best assist provider in La Liga that season with 16 assists, after Mesut Özil, who managed 17. He also ended the season as the UEFA Champions' League Top Scorer for a fourth consecutive time, with 14 goals.[132] He was one of the top assist providers of the tournament with 5 assists and finished the season with 73 goals and 29 assists in all club competitions, with more goals and assists than any other player.
2012–13 season
During Barcelona's first game of the season against Real Sociedad, Messi continued his goalscoring run with a brace in a 5–1 win at the Camp Nou. Messi added another goal from a penalty in a 3–2 win against rivals Real Madrid in the first leg of the 2012 Supercopa de España in Barcelona on 23 August.[134] He added another brace against CA Osasuna as Barcelona came from behind away from home to beat them 2–1. Messi added another goal from a free kick in the second leg of the Supercopa de España, as Barcelona, down to ten men, were defeated by Real Madrid on away goals.[135] This marked his 15th goal in the Clasico Real Madrid-Barcelona derby, which made him Barcelona's top scorer in Clasico matches, putting him tied with Raúl, behind only Alfredo Di Stefano, with 18 goals.[136][137] Messi placed second along with Cristiano Ronaldo in the 2012 UEFA Best Player in Europe Award, with 17 votes each. The award was won by Messi's Barcelona team mate Andrés Iniesta.[138] In his third league appearance on 2 September against Valencia CF, Messi assisted the only goal of the match, by team mate Adriano, from a short corner.[139] Messi scored two more goals in a win against Getafe on 15 September[140] and added another brace in his first Champions League match of the season against Spartak Moscow on 20 September, ending in a 3–2 win to Barcelona, also marking his tenth goal of the season.[141]
On 11 November, Messi scored twice at RCD Mallorca, his 75th and 76th goals in 2012, surpassing Pelé's milestone of 75 goals (1958) in a calendar year, and moved within nine of German legend Gerd Müller's all-time Guinness World Records title.[142] His 77th and 78th goals came against Real Zaragoza at Camp Nou which moved Messi seven goals away from the record.[143] On 20 November, Messi scored twice at Spartak Moscow, his 79th and 80th goals of 2012 and moved to within five goals of the record.[144] Messi continued his scoring run against Levante UD on 25 November with his 81st and 82nd goals of the year which moved him within three goals of Müller.[145] On 1 December, Messi scored twice against Athletic Bilbao, his 83rd and 84th goals of the year, meaning he pulled to within one goal of Müller's record set in 1972. The two goals also meant Messi equaled Barcelona's all time leading goalscoring record in La Liga, which was held by César Rodríguez with 190 goals.[146] On 9 December, Messi scored twice against Real Betis, his 85th and 86th goals in 2012, surpassing Müller's milestone of 85 goals scored in a calendar year in 1972 with Bayern Munich and the German national team, as well as surpassing Rodríguez's record for most league goals for Barcelona.[147][148] On 12 December, Messi increased his record to 88, after scoring twice against Córdoba CF in the first leg of a Copa del Rey game. Messi then sent an autographed Barcelona shirt to Müller in acknowledgement of beating his record.[149] On 16 December, Messi scored twice in a 4–1 Barcelona victory against Atlético Madrid, increasing his record to 90 goals.[150] The tally found its end at 91 goals in a year after Messi scored once against Real Valladolid. FIFA, however, refuses to acknowledge the record for the most goals in a calendar year, citing verifiability issues.[151]
On 18 December 2012, it was announced that Barcelona would renew the contract of Messi, extending it until 30 June 2018.[152] The contract was signed 7 February 2013.[153]
On 7 January 2013 odds-on favourite[154] Messi won the 2012 FIFA Ballon d'Or, again beating Cristiano Ronaldo into second place with team-mate Andrés Iniesta third. In doing this, Messi became the only player in history to win the Ballon d'Or four times.[155] Messi described receiving the accolade as "really quite unbelievable" and "too great for words".[156] The achievement fuelled media comparison of Messi with former greats of the sport such as Diego Maradona and Pelé.[157][158]
On 27 January 2013, Messi scored 4 goals in a 5–1 win against Osasuna, including his 200th goal in La Liga, becoming the 8th player and the youngest player to do so.[159] This brought his La Liga tally for the season up to 33, and his goalscoring total to 44 goals in all competitions. On 16 February 2013, Messi scored his 300th Barcelona goal the La Liga match against Granada CF, later scoring again in the match to bring his tally to 301 goals in 365 official matches.[160][161][162] On 2 March 2013, Messi scored a goal against Real Madrid in a match that Barcelona lost 2–1. With that goal, Lionel Messi equalled Alfredo Di Stefano's Clasico goals record of 18.[163] On 9 March 2013, Messi scored after coming on as a substitute against Deportivo de La Coruña, scoring in his 17th consecutive league match and breaking the all-time world record.[164] Messi's record goalscoring run of 33 goals in 21 games ended against Atletico Madrid.[165]
On 12 March, Messi scored two goals, and helped create the fourth, to help Barcelona defeat A.C. Milan (4–0) in the 2nd leg of their Champions League game and reach the quarter-finals.[166] With these goals, he became the 2nd all-time top scorer in the UEFA Champions League, excluding qualifying rounds.[167] Messi's opening goal against Milan once again drew further comparisons between himself and Diego Armando Maradona, due to the similarity between Messi's opening goal of the match and Maradona's famous goal against Greece in the 1994 World Cup.[168] On 17 March 2013, in a match against Rayo Vallecano, Messi wore the captain's armband for the first time in an official match for Barcelona, taking over after Andrés Iniesta was substituted.[169] On 30 March, Messi scored for the 19th consecutive La Liga game, netting Barcelona's second goal at Celta de Vigo and thus becoming the first footballer in La Liga's history to score in consecutive matches against every team.[170]
On 2 April 2013, after scoring a goal in a match against Paris Saint-Germain, Messi suffered from a hamstring problem in his left leg and was substituted at half time.[171] Since then his first team appearances have been irregular. On 13 May 2013, Messi was unable to finish the match against Atletico Madrid due to recurrence of the hamstring injury in his left leg, he was forced to leave the field midway through the second half.[172] It was later announced that he could miss the rest of the season due to the injury.[173] In the second leg of the Champions League quarter-final against Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona were down a goal, and Messi was on the bench due to a recurring injury problem. In the second half, Messi came off the bench and combined with David Villa to help create Pedro's game tying goal for Barcelona, which allowed them to progress to the semi-finals.[174] Barcelona were eliminated in the semi-finals by the eventual winners of the competition, Bayern Munich. Barcelona were also eliminated in the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey, by arch-rivals Real Madrid. Barcelona, however, managed to regain the La Liga title from Real Madrid, equalling their record 100 point campaign, which had been accomplished during the previous season.[175] Messi once again finished as La Liga's top scorer for the second consecutive year, with 46 goals, also producing 12 assists in the competition. Messi scored 60 goals and provided 16 assists in all competitions that season.
2013–14 season
Messi was nominated for the UEFA Best Player in Europe Award, along with Cristiano Ronaldo and Franck Ribéry for a third consecutive year.[176] Franck Ribéry won the award with 36 votes. Messi finished in second-place with 14 votes, while Cristiano Ronaldo finished in third-place with 3 votes.[177][178] On 18 August, 2013, Messi opened the 2013-14 La Liga Season with two goals and an assist against Levante, as Barcelona went on to win the match 7-0.[179]On the 28th of August, 2013, Barcelona claimed their eleventh Supercopa de España title over Atlético de Madrid on away goals.[180]
On the 1 September 2013, Messi scored his twenty third career hat trick in a 3–2 win against Valencia.With these goals he baecame the player to score 100 away goals and become the player who's scored most away goals in the league's history.[181] [182] These goals made him the sixth highest goalscorer in the history of La Liga, surpassing Quini's tally of 219.[183][184]
International career

Often referred to as an Argentinian-Spanish player, this crossover was brought into sharp focus when in 2004, Lionel was offered the chance to play for the Spanish national U-20 team. He declined the offer given his Argentinian heritage, and was given the opportunity to play for Argentina's U-20 team in a friendly match against Paraguay in June 2004.[185] Messi scored once against Paraguay and twice in friendly against Uruguay in July 2004.[186] In 2005 he was part of a team that finished third in 2005 South American Youth Championship in Colombia. He won the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship in the Netherlands with the team and won the Golden Ball and the Golden Shoe,[187] scoring in the last four of Argentina's matches and netting a total of six for the tournament.
He made his full international debut on 17 August 2005 against Hungary at the age of 18. He was substituted on during the 63rd minute, but was sent off on the 65th minute because the referee, Markus Merk, claimed that Messi had allegedly elbowed defender Vilmos Vanczák, who was tugging Messi's shirt. The decision was contentious and Diego Maradona even claimed the decision was pre-meditated. Messi was later reportedly found weeping in the changing rooms after the decision.[188][189] Messi returned to the team on 3 September in Argentina's 1–0 World Cup qualifier away defeat to Paraguay. Ahead of the match he had said "This is a re-debut. The first one was a bit short."[190] He then started his first game for Argentina against Peru, in which he was able to win a crucial penalty for Argentina; after the match national coach José Pekerman described Messi as "a jewel".[191] He scored his first goal for Argentina in a friendly match against Croatia on 1 March 2006.[192]
2006 World Cup
An injury that kept Messi from playing for two months at the end of the 2005–06 season jeopardised his presence in the 2006 World Cup. Nevertheless, Messi was selected in the Argentina squad for the tournament on 15 May 2006. He also played in the final match before the World Cup against the Argentine U-20 team for 15 minutes and a friendly match against Angola from the 64th minute.[193][194] He witnessed Argentina's opening match victory against Ivory Coast from the substitutes' bench.[195] In the next match against Serbia and Montenegro, Messi became the youngest player to represent Argentina at a World Cup when he came on as a substitute for Maxi Rodríguez in the 74th minute. He assisted Hernán Crespo's goal within minutes of entering the game and also scored the final goal in the 6–0 victory, making him the youngest scorer in the tournament and the sixth youngest goalscorer in the history of the World Cup.[196] Messi started in Argentina's following 0–0 draw against the Netherlands.[197] In the following game against Mexico, Messi came on as a substitute in the 84th minute, with the score tied at 1–1. He appeared to score a goal, but it was ruled offside with Argentina needing a late goal in extra time to proceed.[198][199] José Pekerman left Messi on the bench during the quarter-final match against Germany, which they lost 4–2 on a penalty shootout.[200]
2007 Copa América
Messi played his first game in the 2007 Copa América on 29 June 2007, when Argentina defeated United States 4–1 in the first game. In this game, he showed his capabilities as a playmaker. He set up a goal for fellow striker Hernán Crespo and had numerous shots on target. Carlos Tévez came on as a substitute for Messi in the 79th minute and scored minutes later.[201]

Messi at the 2007 Copa América
His second game was against Colombia, in which he won a penalty that Crespo converted to tie the game at 1–1. He also played a part in Argentina's second goal as he was fouled outside the box, which allowed Juan Roman Riquelme to score from a free kick, and increase Argentina's lead to 3–1. The final score of the game was 4–2 in Argentina's favor and guaranteed them a spot in the tournament's quarter-finals.[202]
In the third game, against Paraguay the coach rested Messi having already qualified for the quarter-finals. He came off the bench in place of Esteban Cambiasso in the 64th minute, with the score at 0–0. In the 79th minute, he assisted a goal for Javier Mascherano.[203] In the quarter-finals, as Argentina faced Peru, Messi scored the second goal of the game, from a Riquelme pass in a 4–0 win.[204] During the semi-final match against Mexico, Messi scored a lob over Oswaldo Sánchez to see Argentina through to the final with a 3–0 win.[205] Argentina went on to lose 3–0 to Brazil in the final.[206] Messi was elected young player of the tournament.[207]
2008 Summer Olympics

Messi in the semi-final against Brazil at the 2008 Olympics
Having barred Messi from playing for Argentina in the 2008 Olympics,[208] Barcelona agreed to release him after he held talks with newly appointed coach Pep Guardiola.[209] He joined the Argentina squad and scored the first goal in a 2–1 victory over Ivory Coast.[209] He then scored the opening goal and assisted Ángel di María in the second to help his side to a 2–1 extra-time win against the Netherlands.[210] He also featured in Argentina's match against rivals Brazil, in which Argentina took a 3–0 victory, thus advancing to the final. In the gold medal match, Messi again assisted Di María for the only goal in a 1–0 victory over Nigeria.[211]
2010 World Cup qualification
On 28 March 2009, in a World Cup Qualifier against Venezuela, Messi wore the number 10 jersey for the first time with Argentina. This match was the first official match for Diego Maradona as the Argentina manager. Argentina won the match 4–0 with Messi opening the scoring.[212] Overall, Messi scored four goals in 18 appearances during the South American 2010 World Cup qualifying process.[213]
2010 World Cup

Messi and Argentina lost 0–4 against Germany in the quarter-finals of the 2010 FIFA World Cup
For the 2010 World Cup, Messi wore the number 10 shirt for the first time in a major tournament.[214] Messi played the entire game on Argentina's opening match in the 2010 World Cup, the 1–0 victory against Nigeria. He had several opportunities to score but was repeatedly denied by Nigerian goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama,[215] who was named man of the match by FIFA.[216] Messi started in Argentina's following 4–1 win against Korea Republic; he played in more of an attacking midfielder and playmaking role under Maradona,[214][217][218] and participated in all of the goals of his team, helping Gonzalo Higuaín score a hat-trick.[219] In the third group match, Messi was named captain for Argentina in a 2–0 win over Greece. He was again the centrepoint of Argentina's play, playing an important role in both of his team's goals,[220] and was voted man of the match.[221]
At the Round of 16 he assisted Carlos Tévez for the first goal in a 3–1 win against Mexico. The World Cup ended for Argentina with a 4–0 loss against Germany in the quarter-finals.[222]
Messi was nominated in ten player shortlist for Golden Ball award by FIFA Technical Study Group. The group identified Messi with the following words: "Outstanding in his pace and creativity for his team, dribbling, shooting, passing – spectacular and efficient".[223]
2011 Copa América, 2014 World Cup qualification and friendlies

Messi (right) challenging Granit Xhaka for the ball during an international friendly between Switzerland and Argentina on 29 February 2012.
On 17 November 2010, Messi scored a last-minute goal against South American rivals Brazil after an individual effort to help his team to a 1–0 win in the friendly match, which was held in Doha. This was the first time that he had scored against Brazil at senior level.[224] Messi scored another last-minute goal on 9 February 2011 against Portugal from a penalty kick which gave his side a 2–1 victory in the friendly match, which was held in Geneva, Switzerland. He had also previously assisted the first goal.[225]
Messi took part in the 2011 Copa América in Argentina, where he failed to score a goal but made three assists. He was selected man of the match in matches against Bolivia (1–1) and Costa Rica (3–0). Argentina were eliminated in the quarter-finals in a penalty shoot-out against Uruguay (1–1 a.e.t.), with Messi scoring as the first penalty taker.
After Argentina's unsuccessful performance in the Copa América, Sergio Batista was replaced as Argentina coach with Alejandro Sabella. In August 2011, Sabella named Messi as the new permanent captain of the Argentina national team.[226]
Messi's first hat-trick for the Albiceleste came in a friendly match against Switzerland, on 29 February 2012, in a 3–1 win for Argentina.[227]
On 9 June 2012, Messi scored his second international hat-trick in a friendly match against rivals Brazil, including the match winner. The match ended 4–3 to Argentina and Messi was voted man of the match.[228] This brought his international goalscoring tally up to 26 goals in 70 matches, and brought his 2012 tally up to 7 goals in 3 matches. This was also his record-breaking 82nd goal of the season, including all club and international matches.[229] These goals also made him the fourth-highest goalscorer for the Argentinian national team.[230]
On 7 September, Messi scored his 28th goal for Argentina in a 3–1 victory against Paraguay in a 2014 World Cup qualifying match, sending them to the top of the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying table. This was his fourth goal in the current World Cup qualifying campaign and his eighth overall in World Cup qualifying matches, making him the third-highest scorer for Argentina in World Cup qualifying matches.[231] This was also his tenth goal for Argentina in the past six matches and his ninth in five matches played in 2012.[232] After scoring twice against Uruguay and once against Chile in October, Messi finished 2012 with twelve goals from nine appearances for Argentina.[233]
On 22 March 2013, Messi scored his first international goal of 2013 from the penalty spot in a World Cup qualifier against Venezuela. In the same match he provided two assists for Gonzalo Higuaín as Argentina won 3–0.[234]On 14 June 2013, Messi scored a hat-trick in a 4–0 friendly win against Guatemala, surpassing Diego Maradona's 34 goals on Argentina's all-time top scorer's list and matching Hernán Crespo for second with 35 goals.[235][236]
Style of play

Messi, playing for Argentina in 2011, has been compared to compatriot Diego Maradona.
Messi has been compared to compatriot Diego Maradona, due to their similar playing style and stature,[237] which gives him a lower centre of gravity than most players, allowing him to be more agile and change direction more quickly, helping him to evade tackles.[238] His short, strong legs allow him to excel in short bursts of acceleration and his quick feet allow him to keep control of the ball when dribbling at speed.[239] His former FC Barcelona manager, Pep Guardiola, once stated: “Messi is the only player that runs faster with the ball than he does without it.”[240] Like Maradona before him, Messi is dominantly a left footed player.[241] With the outside of his left foot, he usually begins dribbling runs, whilst he uses the inside of his foot to finish and provide passes and assists to team mates.[238]
Messi often undertakes individual dribbling runs towards goal, in particular during counterattacks, usually starting from the halfway line, or the right side of the pitch, although he has also been described as a versatile team player, with good vision, known for his passing and his creative combinations, in particular with Barcelona team mates Xavi and Iniesta.[242][243][244] He is also an accurate set piece and penalty kick taker.[245] With regards to his dribbling ability, Maradona has said of Messi: "The ball stays glued to his foot; I’ve seen great players in my career, but I’ve never seen anyone with Messi's ball control."[246] Maradona has stated that he believes Messi to currently be the greatest player in the world.[247][248]
Tactically, Messi plays a free attacking and occasionally a playmaking role,[52] known for his finishing, pace, dribbling, balance, positioning, vision and passing ability.[243][249] He is comfortable attacking on either wing or through the centre of the pitch.[250] He began his career as a left-winger and forward, but was later moved onto the right wing by former manager Frank Rijkaard, who noticed that from this position, Messi could cut through the defence into the middle of the pitch more easily, allowing him to curl shots on goal with his left foot, rather than predominantly crossing balls for team mates.[251] He has more recently played in a false 9 role under Guardiola.[252] This role is characterized by Messi's tendency to seemingly be playing as a centre forward, or as a lone striker, although he will often run back into deep positions drawing defenders with him, creating space for wingers, other forwards, and attacking midfielders to make runs, allowing him to provide them with assists or giving him space to begin dribbling runs, score goals or create attacking plays.[252] With the Argentinian National team, Messi usually plays anywhere along the front line. He began as a forward or winger but has also played in a deeper role, in particular under Maradona, in more of an attacking midfield and playmaking role.[214][217][218] Messi revealed that he is a fan of the former Argentina playmaker Pablo Aimar.[253]
Outside football

Personal life
Messi was at one stage romantically linked to Macarena Lemos, also from his hometown of Rosario. He is said to have been introduced to her by the girl's father when he returned to Rosario to recover from his injury a few days before the start of the 2006 World Cup.[254][255] He has in the past also been linked to the Argentine glamour model Luciana Salazar.[256][257] In January 2009 he told "Hat Trick Barça", a programme on Canal 33: "I have a girlfriend and she is living in Argentina. I am relaxed and happy".[257] He was seen with the girl, Antonella Roccuzzo,[258] at a carnival in Sitges after the Barcelona-Espanyol derby. Roccuzzo is a fellow native of Rosario.[259] On 2 June 2012, Messi assisted and scored a goal in Argentina's 4–0 win against Ecuador in a World Cup 2014 Qualifying match. He celebrated scoring his 23rd goal for Argentina, by placing the ball under his jersey, as his girlfriend is reportedly 12 weeks pregnant. She posted on Twitter that she is expected to give birth in September.[260] Messi confirmed that the child, a son, would be born in October, and that he and his girlfriend plan to name him Thiago. However, the birth would occur later than expected. On 2 November 2012, Messi became a father for the first time following the birth of his son Thiago. The FC Barcelona's official website briefly stated "Leo Messi is a father". Besides, the Argentine striker added on his Facebook page: "Today I am the happiest man in the world, my son was born and thanks to God for this gift!"[22][261] In March 2013, Messi paid tribute to his son Thiago by having his name and tiny palm prints etched on his left calf.[262]
Messi has two cousins also involved in football: Maxi, a winger for Club Olimpia of Paraguay, and Emanuel Biancucchi, who plays as a midfielder for Paraguay's Independiente F.B.C..[263][264]
According to American writer Wright Thompson, Messi has maintained close ties to Rosario and his family since leaving for Spain, and has gone to great lengths to maintain them. These ties begin with his speech—to this day, Messi speaks Spanish with the distinctive accent of Rosario, even though he has now lived in Spain as long as he has in Rosario. He also keeps in daily contact via phone and text with a small group of confidants from Rosario, most of them fellow members of "The Machine of '87". One time when he was in training with the Argentina national team in Buenos Aires, he made a three-hour trip by car to Rosario immediately after practice to have dinner with his family, spent the night with them, and then returned to Buenos Aires the next day in time for practice. Messi has also kept ownership of his old house in Rosario, although his family no longer lives in it; he maintains a penthouse apartment in an exclusive residential building in which his mother lives (Messi's father spends most of his time in Spain with him), as well as a family compound just outside the city.[22]
Charity
In 2007, Messi established the Leo Messi Foundation, a charity supporting access to education and health care for vulnerable children.[265][266] In response to Messi's own childhood medical difficulties, the Leo Messi Foundation has offered Argentine children diagnosed with illnesses treatment in Spain and funds covering the transport, hospital and recuperation costs.[267] Messi's foundation is supported by his own fundraising activity with additional assistance from Herbalife.
On 11 March 2010 Messi was announced as a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF.[268] Messi's UNICEF ambassador activities are aimed at supporting children’s rights. Messi is supported in this by Barcelona, who also have a strong association with UNICEF.[269]
He and Newell's have also ended a long public feud. Messi funded the construction of a dormitory inside Newell's stadium for the club's youth academy, as well as a new gymnasium for the club. For its part, Newell's has begun to embrace its ties with Messi, and plans to issue a special club membership card to Messi's son.[22]
On March 2013, Lionel Messi donated €600,000 towards the refurbishment of a children's hospital in his hometown of Rosario, Argentina. The money was used to renovate the oncology unit at the Victor J Vilela Children's Hospital, as well as paying for doctors to travel to Barcelona for training.[270]
Wealth
In March 2010, France Football ranked him at the top of its list of the world's richest footballers, ahead of David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo, with £29.6 million (€33 million) in combined income from salaries, bonuses and off-field earnings.[271][272] His net wealth is estimated at $110 millIon.[273]
Salary
In December 2012, FC Barcelona announced that Messi will sign a 5-year contract extension which will keep him at FC Barcelona until 2018 and raising his base salary to €16 million net ($21.2 million), which will make him the highest on-the-pitch earner in soccer. As the tax bracket for this level of income in Spain is 56%, it means that Barça will have to pay Messi's income tax of a little over €20 million ($26.5 million).[274] His formal buy-out clause remains at €250 million.[275]
Media

An example of Messi's popularity and influence. Photographed in India.
Messi was featured on the front covers of the video games Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 and Pro Evolution Soccer 2011 and is also involved in promotional campaigns for the games.[276][277] Messi, along with Fernando Torres,[278] is the face of Pro Evolution Soccer 2010, and was also involved in the motion capturing and the trailer.[279][280][281] However in November 2011, Messi was confirmed as the new face of PES's rival football series FIFA with his debut as a cover star of the series coming in 2012's FIFA Street. Messi was also chosen to be on the cover of FIFA 13.[282] Messi is sponsored by the German sportswear company Adidas and features in their television advertisements.[283] In June 2010, Messi also signed a three–year contract with Herbalife[284] which further supports the Leo Messi Foundation.
Messi was named twice in the Time 100, the magazine's annual list of the most influential people in the world, in 2011[285] and in 2012.[286]
In April 2011, Messi launched a Facebook page and within a few hours, his page had attracted more than six million followers.[287] His Facebook page had over 43 million followers in March 2013.[288]
On March 2013, Messi had a pure gold replica of his left foot made which went on sale in Japan for $5.25 million, in aid of charity. The 25-kilogram statue was created by Japanese jeweller Ginza Tanaka to commemorate Messi's record-breaking fourth consecutive Ballon d'Or award.[289]
It was announced on 8 May 2013 that Epic Pictures Group to finance and produce a movie about the life of Messi. Based on the biography "MESSI: The Inside Story of the Boy Who Became a Legend", this is a "Rocky" style tale about a young boy from humble beginnings who overcomes his physical disadvantages, especially his 5-foot-7-inch height, to become one of the greatest players of all time. The release of the biopic is scheduled to coincide with the start of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.[290]
In May 2013, SportsPro rated Messi as the 2nd most marketable athlete in the world behind Brazilian sensation Neymar.[291]
Sponsorships
In September 2012, Messi became the global brand ambassador of Turkish Airlines.[292] Messi shot a commercial for the airline with NBA star Kobe Bryant. In the airline's latest commercial, the duo competes to win the attention of a young boy.[293]
In 16 December 2012, Messi took the field against Atlético Madrid in a La Liga match wearing a pair of adidas adizero boots designed by a fan. Earlier in 2012, fans of the Messi were given the unique opportunity to create a pair of adidas adizero f50s by visiting the new miadidas configurator and submitting their designs. Javier Pascual Mullor from Spain was identified as the lucky winner from over 14,200 submitted entries.[294] While on 13 January 2013, in a league match against Málaga, Messi wore a special pair of adidas adizero F50 boots in order to commemorate his record 4th Ballon d'Or win.[295]
In January 2013, Messi appeared in a short advert for Japanese face wash Scalp-D. The advert showed the Argentine speaking a few Japanese words.[296]
In July 2013, Messi appeared in an advertisement of WeChat messaging application in China. He was wearing Adidas suites and holding two WeChat maskots. WeChat is a cross platform messaging application from Tencent.[297]
Career statistics

Club
As of 1 September 2013.[28][298][299][300]
Reserve teams
Club League Season League
Apps Goals
Barcelona C Tercera 2003–04 10 5
Barcelona B Segunda B 2003–04 5 0
2004–05 17 6
Total 32 11
Senior team
Club Season League Cup UCL Supercup USC FCWC Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Barcelona 2004–05 7 1 1 0 1 0 — — — 9 1
2005–06 17 6 2 1 6 1 — — — 25 8
2006–07 26 14 2 2 5 1 2 0 1 0 — 36 17
2007–08 28 10 3 0 9 6 — — — 40 16
2008–09 31 23 8 6 12 9 — — — 51 38
2009–10 35 34 3 1 11 8 1 2 1 0 2 2 53 47
2010–11 33 31 7 7 13 12 2 3 — — 55 53
2011–12 37 50 7 3 11 14 2 3 1 1 2 2 60 73
2012–13 32 46 5 4 11 8 2 2 — — 50 60
2013–14 2 5 0 0 0 0 2 0 — — 4 5
Total 248 220 38 24 79 59 11 10 3 1 4 4 383 318
International
As of 14 June 2013[41][186][301][302][303]

Messi playing against Portugal in Geneva, Switzerland on 9 February 2011.
International appearances
Team Year Apps Goals
Argentina 2005 5 0
2006 7 2
2007 14 6
2008 8 2
2009 10 3
2010 10 2
2011 13 4
2012 9 12
2013 6 4
Total 82 35
International goals
Scores and results list Argentina's goal tally first.
[show]Goal Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
Honours

Messi with Cristiano Ronaldo before an international friendly between Portugal and Argentina in Geneva, Switzerland on 9 February 2011.
Barcelona
La Liga: 2004–05, 2005–06, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2012–13
Copa del Rey: 2008–09, 2011–12; Runner-up 2010–11
Supercopa de España: 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013; Runner-up 2012
UEFA Champions League: 2005–06, 2008–09, 2010–11
UEFA Super Cup: 2009, 2011; Runner-up 2006
FIFA Club World Cup: 2009, 2011
Argentina
Olympic Gold Medal: 2008
FIFA U-20 World Cup: 2005
Runner-up:
Copa America: 2007
Third place:
U20 South American Youth Championship: 2005
Individual
FIFA Ballon d'Or (3): 2010, 2011, 2012. Created in 2010.
Ballon d'Or (1): 2009. Ceased to exist in 2009.
FIFA World Player of the Year (1): 2009. Ceased to exist in 2009.
World Soccer Young Player of the Year (3): 2006, 2007, 2008.
World Soccer Player of the Year (3): 2009, 2011, 2012.
World Soccer Greatest XI of All Time (1): 2013.
Onze d'Or (3): 2009, 2011, 2012. No winner in 2010.
IFFHS World's Top Goal Scorer (2): 2011, 2012.[304]
IFFHS World's best Top Division Goal Scorer (1): 2012.[305]
Goal.com Player of the Year (3): 2009, 2011, 2013.
El País King of European Soccer (4): 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012.[306]
ESPY Best International Athlete (1): 2012.
European Golden Shoe (3): 2010, 2012, 2013.
UEFA Best Player in Europe Award (1): 2011. Created in 2011.
UEFA Club Footballer of the Year (1): 2009. Ceased to exist in 2010.
UEFA Team of the Year (5): 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012.
UEFA Champions League Top Goalscorer (4): 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012.
UEFA Champions League Forward of the Year (1): 2009. Ceased to exist in 2010.
UEFA Champions League Final Man of the Match (1): 2011.
FIFA U-20 World Cup Player of the Tournament (1): 2005.
FIFA U-20 World Cup Top Goalscorer (1): 2005.
FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball (2): 2009, 2011.
FIFA FIFPro World XI (6): 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012.
FIFPro World Young Player of the Year (3): 2006, 2007, 2008.
ESM Team of the Year (7): 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013.
Pichichi Trophy (3): 2010, 2012, 2013.
Copa del Rey Top Goalscorer (1): 2011.
La Liga Player of the Year (3): 2009, 2010, 2011.
La Liga Foreign Player of the Year (3): 2007, 2009, 2010. Ceased to exist in 2010.
La Liga Ibero-American Player of the Year (5): 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012.
LFP Best Player (3): 2009, 2011, 2012. No winner in 2010.
LFP Best Forward (3): 2009, 2011, 2012. No winner in 2010.
Marca Leyenda (1): 2009.
Bravo Award (1): 2007.
Copa América Young Player of the Tournament (1): 2007.
European Golden Boy (1): 2005.
Olimpia de Oro (1): 2011.
Olimpia de Plata (7): 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012.[307]
Records
As of 2 September 2013.
World
Most FIFA Ballon d'Or awards: 4[308]
Guinness World Records title for the most goals in a year: 91 goals[309]
Most international goals in a year (club and national team): 25 goals (shared with Vivian Woodward)[310]
Most goals scored in FIFA Club World Cup: 4 goals (shared with Denilson and Mohamed Aboutrika)
Most consecutive league matches scored in: 21 matches (33 goals)[311]
First footballer ever to score consecutively against all teams in a professional league[312]
Europe
Most European Golden Shoe awards: 3[313]
Most goals scored in a season (club): 73 goals[314]
Most goals scored in a year (club): 79 goals[315]
Most goals scored in a European Cup season: 14 goals (shared with José Altafini)[316]
Most European Cup top scorer awards: 4 (shared with Gerd Müller)[316]
Most consecutive European Cup top scorer awards: 4[316]
Highest scorer in a European Cup game: 5 goals (shared with ten other players)[317]
Argentina
Most goals scored in a year (national team): 12 goals (shared with Gabriel Batistuta)[318]
Spain
Most away goals scored in La Liga history: 99 goals[182]
Most goals scored in La Liga in a season: 50 goals[319]
Most La Liga hat-tricks in a season: 8 hat-tricks[320]
Most goals scored in the Supercopa de España: 10 goals
Most consecutive La Liga matches scored in: 21 matches (33 goals)[311]
Most goals scored in El Clásico matches: 18 goals (shared with Alfredo Di Stéfano)[321]
Barcelona
Top scorer in official competitions: 318 goals
Top scorer in La Liga: 220 goals
Top scorer in UEFA Champions League: 59 goals
Top scorer in European competitions: 60 goals
Top scorer in international competitions: 64 goals
Most hat-tricks overall: 23 hat-tricks
Most La Liga hat-tricks overall: 17 hat-tricks
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Frank Lampard
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For his father, see Frank Lampard, Sr..
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Frank Lampard
Lampard chelsea2.jpg
Lampard on tour with Chelsea in 2007
Personal information
Full name Frank James Lampard[1]
Date of birth 20 June 1978 (age 35)[1]
Place of birth Romford, England
Height 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in)[2][3]
Playing position Midfielder
Club information
Current club Chelsea
Number 8
Youth career
1994–1995 West Ham United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
1995–2001 West Ham United 148 (24)
1995–1996 → Swansea City (loan) 9 (1)
2001– Chelsea 406 (142)
National team‡
1997–2000 England U21 19 (9)
1998 England B 1 (0)
1999– England 99 (29)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 26 August 2013.
† Appearances (Goals).
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 21:20, 6 September 2013 (UTC)
Frank James Lampard (born 20 June 1978) is an English professional footballer, who plays as a central midfielder for Chelsea and the England national team. He is the vice-captain for Chelsea and the club's all-time leading goalscorer.[4] Considered to be one of the best English footballers of his time and one of the best midfield players of his generation,[5][6][7][8][9] Lampard is a box-to-box midfielder known for "his work-rate, range of passing and goalscoring ability."[10] Lampard began his career at West Ham United, for whom his father Frank Lampard, Sr. had also played. He secured a place in the first team by the 1997–98 season, and the following year helped the team finish 5th in the Premier League, their highest-ever Premier League placing. In 2001, he moved to rival London club Chelsea for £11 million.
From his début, he was ever-present in the Chelsea first team and made 164 consecutive Premier League appearances, a record for an outfield player.[11] He established himself as a prolific scorer at the west London club and was a key part of the sides which won back-to-back Premier League titles in 2004–05 and 2005–06 and a domestic cup double in 2007. He signed a new contract in 2008, becoming the highest-paid Premier League footballer at that time,[12] and scored in his first Champions League Final that year. He won a second FA Cup winners' medal in 2009, scoring the winning goal in the final. In the 2009–10 season, Lampard helped Chelsea secure their first league and FA Cup Double, and also had his most prolific season with the club, scoring 22 league goals and 17 league assists.[13] In 2012 Lampard captained Chelsea to their first UEFA Champions League success and a year later to their first UEFA Europa League title.[14]
A three-time Chelsea Player of the Year,[15] Lampard is the club's all-time top goalscorer with 204 goals in all competitions.[16] Lampard is one of seven players, and the only midfielder, to have scored 150 or more goals in the Premier League.[17] He is second in the Premier League's all-time assists table with 91 assists.[18] He has had over 1,400 successful passes and 10 or more assists every season.[19] In 2005, Lampard was voted FWA Footballer of the Year and was runner-up in both the FIFA World Player of the Year and the Ballon d'Or. In 2010 he received the FWA Tribute Award. On 23 December 2009, he was named the Premier League's player of the decade by official statistics. [20]
Internationally, Lampard has been capped 96 times by England since making his debut in October 1999, and has scored 29 international goals. He was voted England Player of the Year for two consecutive years in 2004 and 2005. He played in Euro 2004, where he was named in the team of the tournament after scoring three goals in four games. He was top scorer for England in their 2006 World Cup qualifying campaign with five goals, and played in the 2006 World Cup. He is England's most prolific penalty taker with nine goals, surpassing the previous record holders, Ron Flowers and Alan Shearer. He was named the 49th highest earning athlete in the world in June 2011.[21]
Contents [hide]
1 Club career
1.1 West Ham United
1.2 Chelsea
1.2.1 2001–2004
1.2.2 2004–2005
1.2.3 2005–2006
1.2.4 2006–2007
1.2.5 2007–2008
1.2.6 2008–2009
1.2.7 2009–2010
1.2.8 2010–2011
1.2.9 2011–2012
1.2.10 2012–2013
2 International career
2.1 Euro 2004
2.2 Post Euro 2004
2.3 2006 World Cup
2.4 2007–2009
2.5 2010 World Cup and wrongly disallowed goal
2.6 Euro 2012
2.7 2014 World Cup qualification
3 Personal life
3.1 Relationships
4 Career statistics
4.1 Club
4.2 International
4.3 International goals
5 Honours
5.1 Individual
5.2 Top scorer
6 References
7 External links
Club career

West Ham United
Lampard began his career at West Ham United, his father's former club, joining the youth team in 1994. Lampard joined West Ham United when his father was the assistant coach, entering as an apprentice in the youth team in 1994 and signing a professional contract the following year. He went on loan to Swansea City in October 1995, debuting in his team's victory 2–0 over Bradford City and scoring his first career goal in a match against Brighton & Hove Albion. Lampard played nine times for Swansea before returning to West Ham in January 1996, debuting for the team against Coventry City at the end of that month. However, he spent the rest of the season with the reserves.
The following year, Lampard suffered a broken leg during a match against Aston Villa, prematurely ending his participation in the 1996–97 season, where he accumulated 13 appearances. He had to wait until the 1997–98 season to score his first West Ham goal, against Barnsley. Lampard was an ever-present for West Ham in the 1998–99 season, helping his team to fifth place in the Premier League season and qualifying for the Intertoto Cup. In the 1999–2000 season Lampard finished as the club's third top scorer with a total of 14 goals. In this season he scored his first goals in European competition, in the Intertoto and UEFA Cups.
After the sacking of his father and uncle Harry Redknapp (the assistant manager and manager of West Ham respectively), Lampard left West Ham United for Chelsea for £11 million, the Hammers having previously declined a £15 million joint bid from Aston Villa for Lampard and Frédéric Kanouté.[22]
Chelsea
2001–2004

Lampard warming up for Chelsea
Lampard's Premier League debut with Chelsea came on 19 August 2001 in a 1–1 draw with Newcastle United, while his first red card came in a match against Tottenham Hotspur on 16 September.
Lampard appeared in all of Chelsea's league matches and scored eight goals in the 2001–02 season. He netted the match-winner in Chelsea's 2002–03 season-opener against Charlton Athletic.
The following season, he was selected as the Barclays Player of the Month in September 2003, and the PFA Fans' Player of the Month in October. Chelsea finished 2nd in the 2003–04 Premier League behind unbeaten Arsenal and he was named in the 2004 PFA Team of the Year as he reached double figures in league goals (10) for the first time in his career, in addition to four goals in fourteen UEFA Champions League matches, as Chelsea advanced to the semi-finals. In the semi-final against Monaco he scored, but Chelsea lost 5–3 on aggregate.[23] At the end of the season he came second, behind Thierry Henry, for the 2004 FWA Footballer of the Year award.[24]
2004–2005
Lampard played in all 38 Premier League matches for the third consecutive season in 2004–05. He finished with 13 goals (19 in all competitions), in addition to leading the league in assists with sixteen.[25]

Frank Lampard in 2006–07
In August 2004, he scored the winning goal against Southampton in the League,[26] and continued scoring important goals as he scored both in a 2–0 win against Tottenham.[27] In March 2005 he scored a long-range goal from 30 yards against Crystal Palace in the Premier League which Chelsea won 4–1.[28] Lampard continued his season strongly, and his brilliant performances for Chelsea in the Premier League and Champions League further increased his reputation as one of the best midfielders in the world.[29] In the 2004-05 UEFA Champions League he scored one of the goals in Chelsea's famous 4–2 win over Barcelona helping Chelsea to progress to the quarter-finals.[30] In the quarter-finals, he scored 3 goals in 2 legs against Bayern Munich as Chelsea won 6–5 on aggregate. His second goal in the first leg was a spectacular one; he controlled Makélélé's cross with his chest then turned and swivelled and sent the ball inside the far post with a left-foot half volley.[31][32]
In April 2005, Lampard scored both goals against Bolton Wanderers in a 2–0 win which was the Premier League title winning match for Chelsea,[33] which also won the first major trophy of his career as Chelsea bagged their first top-flight title in fifty years, by a twelve point margin. He was named as Barclays Player of the Season for 2004–05.[34] Though Chelsea were eliminated in the Champions League semi-finals by league rivals Liverpool, they took home the Football League Cup, in which Lampard scored twice in six matches, which included the opening goal against Manchester United in the League Cup semi-final, which Chelsea won 2–1. He landed his first personal award by being named the 2005 Footballer of the Year.[35]
2005–2006
He netted a career-high 16 league goals in 2005–06, and was a Premier League record for a midfielder to score goals in one season. In September 2005, Lampard was selected as a member of the inaugural World XI.[36] He finished as runner-up to Ronaldinho for both the Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year awards.[37][38] His record of consecutive Premier League appearances ended at 164 (five better than previous record-holder David James) on 28 December 2005, when he sat out a match against Manchester City due to illness.[39] Lampard scored 12 goals in his first 4 months of the 2005–06 season. He scored twice in three separate matches from August to November, including both in a 2–1 win over Aston Villa, making Chelsea the first team to win their first 7 matches in the Premier League.[40] He scored twice again, this time against Blackburn Rovers in a 4–2 win, which included a free-kick from 25 yards. After the match, manager José Mourinho hailed Lampard as the "best player in the world".[41] Chelsea eventually won the Premier League for the second time, in which Lampard was Chelsea's topscorer with 16 league goals. In the Champions League group stages, he scored a free-kick against Anderlecht. Chelsea proggresed to the first knock-out round to face Barcelona, with Lampard scoring a goal in the second leg but Chelsea were eliminated 3–2 on aggregate.
2006–2007
Due to a back injury sustained by John Terry, Lampard spent much of the 2006–07 campaign as team captain in his absence. He enjoyed a streak of seven goals in eight games. He scored both goals in a 2–0 win over Fulham and scored his 77th goal for Chelsea from a long range strike in a 3–2 win over Everton on 17 December, overtaking Dennis Wise as Chelsea's highest scoring midfielder.[42] Then in the UEFA Champions League group stages he scored a goal from an extremely tight angle against Barcelona, at the Camp Nou, the match ended 2–2.[43] Lampard finished with 21 goals in all competitions, including a career-high six FA Cup goals. He scored his first Chelsea hat-trick in the third-round tie against Macclesfield Town on 6 January 2007. He scored two goals to help Chelsea to a quarter-final draw with Tottenham Hotspur after having trailed 3–1, and he was named the FA Cup player-of-the-round for his performance.[44] He gave the assist to Didier Drogba in the 2007 FA Cup Final which was the winning goal in extra-time, as Chelsea won it 1–0. In a post-match interview following Chelsea's FA Cup Final victory over Manchester United, Lampard said he wanted to stay at the club "forever".[45]
2007–2008

Lampard playing for Chelsea in 2008
Lampard's 2007–08 season was riddled with injury, managing to play 40 matches, 24 of which in the league-the fewest he had played in a season since 1996–97. On 16 February 2008, Lampard became the eighth Chelsea player to score 100 goals for the club in a 3–1 FA Cup fifth-round win over Huddersfield Town.[46] After the final whistle, Lampard removed his jersey and flashed a T-shirt to the Chelsea fans with "100 Not Out, They Are All For You, Thanks" printed across the front.[47] In the Premier League match with Liverpool he scored a penalty in a 1–1 draw at Anfield. He scored four goals in a 6–1 rout of Derby County on 12 March. Then in the Champions League quarter-final second leg he scored the winning goal against Fenerbahçe in the 87th minute as Chelsea won 3–2 on aggregate.[48] On 30 April, Lampard, grieving the loss of his mother a week earlier, decided to play in the second leg of Chelsea's Champions League semi-final against Liverpool, who were eliminated on 4–3 aggregate as he took an emotional penalty in the 98th minute of extra-time, which he scored confidently.[49] In the final against Manchester United, he scored an equalising goal in the 45th minute, as Michael Essien's deflected shot found him as he went to the box with his trade-mark late run, and he scored with a left foot finish. The match ended 1–1 after extra-time and Chelsea eventually lost 6–5 on penalties. He was later named UEFA Club Midfielder of the Year.
2008–2009

Frank Lampard playing for Chelsea in 2008.

Frank Lampard and Andrea Pirlo
On 13 August 2008, Lampard signed a new five-year contract with Chelsea worth £39.2 million, making him the highest-paid Premier League player.[12][50] He started the 2008–09 season by scoring five goals in his first eleven league matches. He scored the 150th goal of his club career with a goal against Manchester City in the Premier League. In October 2008, in the Premier League he scored a chipped goal against Hull City with his left foot; he unleashed a chip from 20 yards that curled and swerved and fooled the goal-keeper as it went into the net. World Cup winning coach Luiz Felipe Scolari said after the game: "It was the best goal I have seen, my vote for World Player of the year award will go to him, only a player with his intelligence could have done that".[51] He scored his hundredth career Premier League goal in a 5–0 victory over Sunderland on 2 November.[52] Eighteen of Lampard's hundred goals were penalties.[53] He was named Premier League Player of the Month for the third time in his career in October.[54]
After a streak of matches without scoring, Lampard scored three goals in two games, the first being against West Bromwich Albion and the latter two against Fulham.[55][56] On 17 January 2009, he made his 400th Chelsea appearance against Stoke City, scoring a stoppage time winner. He again scored a stoppage time winner, this time against Wigan Athletic. Then in the FA cup 4th round, he scored a free-kick from 35 yards against Ipswich Town. He scored twice against Liverpool in the second-leg quarter finals of the Champions League which ended 4–4, but Chelsea won 7–5 on aggregate. Then he provided two assists in the next game against Arsenal in FA Cup Semi-finals which Chelsea won 2–1. Lampard finished the season with 20 goals and 19 assists. Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson heaped praise on Lampard saying: "Frank Lampard is an exceptional player – a huge asset to Chelsea, You pay attention to players who can get goals from midfield and he's been averaging 20 a season.You don't see him getting into stupid tackles or making a habit of becoming involved in silly rows. He remained restrained after Chelsea were knocked out of the Champions League by Barcelona and even made a point of swapping shirts with Andrés Iniesta."
Lampard's 20th goal of the season was the winning goal in the FA Cup Final against Everton, with a left-foot shot from long-range. He repeated the corner flag celebration his father had done after scoring the winning goal in the 1979–80 FA Cup semi-final second leg against Everton. It was the fourth consecutive season that he scored 20 or more goals. He was named later named Chelsea's Player of the Year for the third time.
2009–2010

Lampard celebrating after winning the Premier League with Chelsea
Lampard started the 2009–10 season by scoring against Manchester United, in the 2009 Community Shield, in the 72nd minute. The match ended 2–2, and Lampard scored in its penalty shootout which they won 4–1. He scored his 133rd goal for Chelsea in a Champions League match against Atlético Madrid on 21 October 2009, which moved him up to 5th among the club's all time goalscorers. He had been struggling to score the amount of goals he had in the past seasons however this soon changed as he scored two goals in the 5–0 defeat of Blackburn Rovers on 24 October 2009. On 30 October, he was nominated for the FIFA World Player of the Year award for the sixth straight year.[57]
On 16 December, Lampard scored a crucial 79th minute winning goal against Portsmouth and on 20 December, Lampard scored a penalty against his former club West Ham in a 1–1 draw, however he had to take his spot-kick three times due to players running into the box too early, he nonetheless scored all three. In Chelsea's 7–2 thrashing of Sunderland in January 2010, Lampard scored twice to add to his league tally. On 27 January 2010, Lampard again scored two goals, in Chelsea's 3–0 win over Birmingham City in the Premier League. On 27 February, Lampard yet again scored twice against Manchester City but despite his contribution Chelsea went on to lose the game 4–2 at home, for the first time in 38 games.
Lampard, for the second time in his career, hit four goals in one match against Aston Villa on 27 March 2010 to bring his goal tally past 20, for the fifth consecutive season. This also brought him his 151st Chelsea goal, and it put him as the club's third highest scorer ever, overtaking Peter Osgood's record of 150. Lampard scored in a 3–0 win, again over Aston Villa, in the 2010 FA Cup semi-final.[58] Lampard reached 20 league goals for the first time when he scored twice against Stoke City in Chelsea's 7–0 win on 25 April 2010. This milestone also represented the first time he had hit 25 in all competitions in a season. On 2 May, Lampard scored against Liverpool in the second last game of the season to give Chelsea a vital three points that took them to the top of the league by a single point. He scored one and assisted two other goals in the final match of the season where Chelsea thrashed Wigan Athletic 8–0 at Stamford Bridge to win the 2009–10 Premier League title and give him a remarkable 27 goals in the season.[59] Lampard ended his season lifting the 2010 FA Cup as Chelsea beat Portsmouth 1–0 in the final.
2010–2011
The 2010–11 season began brightly for Lampard, being an integral part of Chelsea's system as usual. After a match against Stoke City in August 2010, which Chelsea won 2–0, it was revealed that Lampard was suffering from a hernia, which was successfully operated on. However, he suffered fresh injuries during training in mid-November,[60] and remained sidelined for a further three weeks. Manager Carlo Ancelotti said that he injured his abductor muscle in his leg in training on 11 November, and would not be fit until December. He finally made his comeback after 4 months out injured against Tottenham Hotspur on 12 December, as a substitute in the 75th minute.[61] Lampard scored a penalty in the 3–3 draw between Chelsea and Aston Villa on 2 January 2011,[62] the first after returning from injury. On 9 January, Lampard scored twice and gave one assist in a 7–0 win against Ipswich Town in the FA Cup reaching the landmark of 201 career club goals.
On 1 February, Lampard scored a penalty against Sunderland, then produced an assist, with Chelsea ending up winning the game 4–2.[63] Lampard then assisted for Nicolas Anelka in Chelsea's 2–0 victory gainst Copenhagen, in the Round of 16 match in the Champions League. On 1 March, Lampard scored the winning goal in a crucial 2–1 victory over Manchester United, keeping Chelsea's Premier League title hopes alive.[64] Then in the next game, he scored two goals in Chelsea's 3–1 victory over Blackpool, and also contributed with an assist for John Terry to score.[65]
In April 2011, Lampard scored his 11th goal of the season in a 3–0 victory against former club West Ham.[66] Lampard scored again against Manchester United, but it proved to be only a consolation, as Chelsea lost 2–1 at Old Trafford, thus ending Chelsea's title hopes.[67]
2011–2012
In Chelsea's third Premier League match of the season, Lampard scored his first goal of the season and also provided an assist for José Bosingwa's opening goal, as Chelsea beat Norwich City 3–1.[68]
After not featuring in Chelsea's 4–1 win against Swansea City on 24 September,[69] Lampard returned to the starting line-up for their Champions League group stage game against Valencia netting an important opening goal in their 1–1 draw.[70][71] Lampard continued his fine form by netting his fifth Chelsea hat-trick on 2 October, in a 5–1 thrashing of Bolton.[72][73] In the eleventh round of the Premier League, Lampard scored the only goal of the match against Blackburn, with a diving header, giving Chelsea a win after two consecutive defeats.[74] After starting the game against Manchester City on the bench, Lampard came on in the second half to score the winning goal from the penalty spot in the 82nd minute.[75] Lampard again proved to be the match-winner again as he scored in the 89th minute against Wolves, with the match finishing 2–1 to Chelsea.[76]
On 25 February 2012, Lampard scored his tenth league goal of the season in Chelsea's 3–0 win against Bolton, becoming the only player to score at least 10 goals in nine consecutive seasons in the Premier League and his 149th all time league goal.[77]
Eleven days after the sacking of manager Andre Villas-Boas, Chelsea hosted Napoli in the 2011–12 UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second leg, trailing the Naples side 3–1 from the first leg. Lampard helped Chelsea make a remarkable comeback, assisting John Terry from a corner for the second goal and then equalising the aggregate score from the penalty spot with a powerful shot to the left of the goal. Branislav Ivanović sealed Chelsea's victory in extra-time.[78] In the second leg of the quarter-finals of the 2011–12 UEFA Champions League against Benfica, Lampard converted a crucial penalty to give Chelsea a 2–1 win at Stamford Bridge, and helping them advance with an aggregate score of 3–1.[79] He scored the 150th Premier League goal of his career against Fulham in a 1–1 draw on 9 April 2012. In the semifinal of the FA Cup Chelsea defeated Tottenham Hotspur 5–1, in a match that would be remembered for an infamous "goal that never was" awarded to Chelsea's Juan Mata. Lampard assisted Didier Drogba for the first goal, and also scored the fourth goal for the Blues from a free kick 35-yards from goal.[80]

Lampard and Drogba in the final of the Champions League

Chelsea players celebrate winning the UEFA Champions League
Lampard was pivotal in the semi-finals of the 2011–12 UEFA Champions League against the heavily favoured defending champions Barcelona. Bookmakers had Barcelona on the shortest odds to win a second consecutive Champions League title, and various commentators opined that Chelsea would have to produce their best two games of the season – and hope that Barca played their worst two – in order to upset the Catalan giants.[81] In the first leg at Stamford Bridge, Lampard stripped Lionel Messi off the ball then played a cross-field pass to Ramires who setup Drogba for the only goal of the game giving Chelsea a 1–0 advantage.[82] In the second leg at Camp Nou, Lampard assumed the captaincy after Terry was sent off early in the game. Down 2–0 to Barca just before half-time, Lampard assisted Ramires' goal with a through-pass which levelled the aggregate score at 2–2 while putting Chelsea ahead on away goals.[83] Chelsea teammate Fernando Torres added another goal in stoppage time to give Chelsea a 3–2 victory overall and produce one of the greatest upsets in the history of European football.[84] This set up Chelsea's match with Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena for the Champions League final.
In the 2012 FA Cup Final, Lampard assisted Didier Drogba's winning goal in 2–1 win over Liverpool, the seventh FA Cup in Chelsea's history as well as the fourth of his career.[85] Lampard captained Chelsea in the 2012 UEFA Champions League Final against Bayern Munich, due to Terry's suspension. It was a match where Chelsea were considered to be the underdogs.[86] After finishing 1–1 in normal time, the game went to a penalty shootout with Lampard successfully converting his team's third spot-kick, helping Chelsea win 4–3 on penalties.[87] As Chelsea's skipper for the match, Lampard lifted the trophy with club captain John Terry.[88] Lampard ended the 2011–12 season as Chelsea's topscorer with 16 goals in all competitions, along with 10 assists.
2012–2013
Lampard missed Euro 2012 with a thigh injury,[89] but did play all of Chelsea's pre-season games scoring against the MLS Allstars[90] and Brighton and Hove Albion[91] In Chelsea's first game of the new Premier League campaign, Lampard converted a penalty won by Eden Hazard as Chelsea brushed aside Wigan 2–0.[92] In Chelsea's second game of the season, three days later against newly-promoted Reading, he again converted a penalty won by Hazard, as Chelsea cruised to a 4–2 win.[93] On 6 October, he scored his third league goal of the season in a 4–1 win against Norwich City.[94] He marked his 500th appearance in the Premier League by scoring in a 8–0 win against Aston Villa on 23 December.[95] On 30 December 2012, Lampard scored a brace as Chelsea came from a goal down in the game against Everton to win 2–1.[96]
In the third round of the FA Cup, Lampard entered in the second half and scored a penalty in Chelsea's victory over Southampton.[97] On 6 January 2013, Lampard's agent Steve Kutner announced that Lampard would not be offered a new contract with Chelsea and would leave when his contract expired in June 2013.[98][99] On 12 January 2013, Lampard scored a penalty in the 4–0 win over Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium.[100] This goal made Lampard Chelsea's second highest goal scorer of all time with 194 goals and moved him clear of Kerry Dixon and putting him 8 goals behind Bobby Tambling in first.[101] He scored his 199th goal for Chelsea in a 4–0 FA Cup victory over Brentford on 17 February, becoming Chelsea's all-time leading FA Cup goalscorer with 26 goals. Lampard's 200th Chelsea goal came against his former club West Ham on 17 March 2013, heading home an Eden Hazard cross.[102]
He equalled Bobby Tambling's record with a long range goal into the top left corner from just outside the box in the 61st minute in a league match against Aston Villa on 11 May. Then, later on in the 88th minute, he scored a second goal, breaking the record and securing a 2-1 victory for Chelsea.[103] In the Europa League final on the following Wednesday, 15 May, Lampard captained the London club to a 2-1 victory over Benfica, securing the 11th major trophy of the Roman Abramovich era.[104]
On 16 May 2013, Lampard signed an one-year extension to his contract with Chelsea, stating: "I always maintained the dream was to stay at Chelsea".[105][106]
International career

Lampard was capped by England at youth level before making his under-21 debut on 13 November 1997 in a match against Greece.[1][107] He played for the under-21 side from November 1997 to June 2000, and scored nine goals in 19 appearances, a mark bettered only by Alan Shearer and Francis Jeffers.[107][108] He was capped once by England B, playing in a 2–1 home defeat to Chile on 10 February 1998.[109]
Lampard earned his first cap for England on 10 October 1999 in a 2–1 friendly win over Belgium, and scored his first goal on 20 August 2003 in a 3–1 win over Croatia.
Euro 2004
He was bypassed for Euro 2000 and the 2002 World Cup, and had to wait until Euro 2004 to participate in his first international competition. England reached the quarter-finals with Lampard netting three goals in four matches. He scored against France and Croatia in the group stages, and in the quarter-final he equalised for England in the 112th minute against Portugal, bringing the scoreline to 2–2 but England lost on penalties. He was named in the team of the tournament by UEFA.[110]
Post Euro 2004
He became a regular in the squad following the retirement of Paul Scholes, and was voted England Player of the Year by fans in 2004 and 2005.[111] He was England's top-scorer in their 2006 World Cup qualifying campaign with 5 goals. He scored two crucial goals in the qualifiers, the first against Austria in a 1–0 win, and the second, the winning goal against Poland.[112][113]

Lampard taking a penalty in a Euro 2012 qualifier against Wales in March 2011
2006 World Cup
In England's first game of the tournament vs Paraguay, Lampard was named Man of the Match as England won 1–0.[114] Though Lampard played every minute of England's 2006 World Cup matches, he went scoreless as England were eliminated in the quarterfinals by Portugal on penalties, and he was one of the three England players who missed their penalties, alongside Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher.[115]
2007–2009
He scored in a 2–1 loss to Germany in a friendly at the new Wembley in 2007.[116] He was booed by England supporters while coming on as a second-half substitute during England's Euro 2008 qualifying match against Estonia on 13 October 2007,[117] and finished with one goal (in a 3–2 loss to Croatia on 21 November) as England failed to qualify for the tournament. He scored his first international goal in two years in a 4–0 win over Slovakia in March 2009, and also created another for Wayne Rooney. Lampard's goal was the 500th England goal scored at Wembley.[118] On 9 September 2009, Lampard struck twice in England's 5–1 win against Croatia which secured their place at 2010 World Cup.[119]
2010 World Cup and wrongly disallowed goal
In the round-of-16 match of the 2010 FIFA World Cup against rivals Germany, Lampard had a first-half shot at goal that bounced off the crossbar and from TV replays was clearly seen to cross the goal line. If counted, it would have tied the game 2–2. However, neither the referee nor the linesman saw it as a goal, and play was continued. In the second-half, Lampard hit the cross-bar again, with a 30-yard free-kick. The final score was a 4–1 win for Germany, eliminating England from the tournament.[120]
As England exited the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Lampard had already achieved the record of having made 37 shots on goal without scoring in a World Cup tournament, more than any other player since 1966.[121]
Euro 2012
On 8 February 2011, it was announced that Lampard would captain the national team against Denmark in a friendly played the next day after both Rio Ferdinand and Steven Gerrard were absent through injury.[122] In the Euro 2012 qualifiers, Lampard netted two goals for England, both penalties. The first against Wales in a 2–0 win, and the latter vs Switzerland in a 2–2 draw, making Lampard England's most prolific penalty taker ever.[123][124] In November 2011, Lampard captained England to a 1–0 friendly victory over current World Champions Spain, a game in which he scored the only goal.[125] On 31 May 2012, he was ruled out of the Euro 2012 due to a thigh injury. He was subsequently replaced by Jordan Henderson.
On 14 August 2012, manager Roy Hodgson announced that Lampard would captain the Three Lions in their upcoming friendly against Italy the following day, which England won 2–1.[126]
2014 World Cup qualification
Lampard started England's first game in qualification and starred as England thrashed Moldova 5–0, with Lampard scoring his 24th and 25th England goals. His first goal was England's 100th ever penalty and his second was a header from a cross from Glen Johnson, after Steven Gerrard was substituted he captained the side.[127]
Lampard scored his 26th international goal from the penalty spot against Ukraine equalling the amount of goals scored by Bryan Robson.[128]
On 6 February 2013, Lampard scored the winning goal for England in a friendly match against Brazil at Wembley.[129]
On 22 March, he surpassed David Platt as England's second highest scoring midfielder when he scored his 28th international goal in a 0–8 win over San Marino.[130]
Personal life

Lampard signing a match-day programme
Lampard attended Brentwood School between 1989 and 1994, finishing with eleven GCSEs, including an A* in Latin.[131]
His father is Frank Lampard senior, the former West Ham United player and assistant manager who was still associated with the club when Lampard junior was playing for them. His mother Pat died in April 2008 aged 58 as a result of pneumonia.[132] Lampard's uncle is Harry Redknapp and his cousin is Redknapp's son Jamie Redknapp.
In 2000, Lampard, Rio Ferdinand and Kieron Dyer appeared on a sex video that was filmed at the holiday resort of Ayia Napa in Cyprus. Channel 4 aired a brief clip as part of their 2004 documentary Sex, Footballers and Videotape, claiming it was used to "remind the viewer that this is based on real life."[133] On 23 September 2001, Lampard, along with three other Chelsea players was fined two weeks wages by the club for his behaviour whilst on a drinking binge on 12 September. Lampard and the others had abused American tourists at a Heathrow hotel, just 24 hours after the 11 September attacks. A hotel manager stated "they were utterly disgusting. They just didn't seem to care about what had happened".[134]
It was reported by Mensa that Lampard showed an unusually high IQ score during neurological research carried out by the Chelsea doctor, Bryan English. English stated that "Frank Lampard scored one of the highest set of marks ever recorded by the company doing the tests".[135]
Lampard has stated in 2007 that he is a supporter of the Conservative Party.[136]
He was selected by EA Sports as one of the three football stars on the cover of the FIFA 10 football game pack globally, along with Theo Walcott and Wayne Rooney.[137]
In February 2013, Lampard signed a deal with publishers Little Brown to write his own series of children's books called "Frankie's Magic Football", aimed at youngsters aged five and over. The publishing deal was handled by Neil Blair and Zoe King, who also represent Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling. His inspiration came from his own undeveloped stories he reads to his own children every night. [138]
Relationships
Lampard lives in Surrey and London. He has two daughters with his former fiancee, Spanish model Elen Rivas, Luna (born 22 August 2005) and Isla (born 20 May 2007).[139] His autobiography, Totally Frank, was published in August 2006. In mid-February 2009, it was reported that Lampard and Rivas had split in November 2008 after seven years together, with Rivas taking between £1 million and £12.5 million in settlement fees from Lampard's estimated £32 million net worth.[140][141]
Since October 2009, Lampard has been in a relationship with Christine Bleakley. On 15 June 2011, Lampard's engagement to Christine Bleakley was announced by his agent.[142]
On 24 April 2009, Lampard was involved in a radio confrontation with James O'Brien on the London radio station LBC 97.3.[143] Newspapers had reported that following Lampard's split from Rivas their children were living with her in a small flat while Lampard had converted their family home into a bachelor pad. Lampard phoned in, objecting to criticism and asserting that he had fought "tooth and nail" to keep his family together.[144]
Career statistics

Club
As of 30 August 2013.
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Continental Other[145] Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
West Ham United 1995–96 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 2 0
1996–97 13 0 1 0 2 0 0 0 — 16 0
1997–98 31 5 6 1 5 4 0 0 — 42 10
1998–99 38 5 1 0 2 1 0 0 — 41 6
1999–2000 34 7 1 0 4 3 10 4 — 49 14
2000–01 30 7 4 1 3 1 0 0 — 37 9
Total 148 24 13 2 16 9 10 4 — 187 39
Swansea City (loan) 1995–96 9 1 0 0 0 0 — 0 0 9 1
Total 9 1 0 0 0 0 — 0 0 9 1
Chelsea 2001–02 37 5 8 1 4 0 4 1 — 53 7
2002–03 38 6 5 1 3 0 2 1 — 48 8
2003–04 38 10 4 1 2 0 14 4 — 58 15
2004–05 38 13 2 0 6 2 12 4 — 58 19
2005–06 35 16 5 2 1 0 8 2 1 0 50 20
2006–07 37 11 7 6 6 3 11 1 1 0 62 21
2007–08 24 10 1 2 3 4 11 4 1 0 40 20
2008–09 37 12 7 3 2 2 11 3 — 57 20
2009–10 36 22 6 3 1 0 7 1 1 1 51 27
2010–11 24 10 3 3 0 0 4 0 1 0 32 13
2011–12 30 11 5 2 2 0 12 3 — 49 16
2012–13 29 15 4 2 3 0 10 0 4 0 50 17
2013–14 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 5 2
Total 406 142 57 26 33 11 106 24 11 1 613 205
Career total 563 167 70 28 49 20 116 28 11 2 809 245
International
[146]
England national team
Year Apps Goals
1999 1 0
2000 0 0
2001 3 0
2002 3 0
2003 9 1
2004 13 6
2005 9 3
2006 13 2
2007 9 2
2008 6 0
2009 10 6
2010 7 0
2011 7 3
2012 3 3
2013 6 3
Total 99 29
International goals
[show]# Date Venue Cap Opponent Score Result Competition
Honours

West Ham United
UEFA Intertoto Cup (1): 1999
Chelsea
FA Premier League (3): 2004–05, 2005–06, 2009–10
FA Cup (4): 2006–07, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2011–12
Football League Cup (2): 2004–05, 2006–07
FA Community Shield (2): 2005, 2009
UEFA Champions League (1): 2011–12
UEFA Europa League (1): 2012–13
Individual
2005 FIFA World Player of the Year: Silver Award
2005 Ballon d'Or: Silver Award
FWA Footballer of the Year (1): 2005
UEFA Club Midfielder of the Year (1): 2008
World XI (1): 2005
PFA Fans' Player of the Year (1): 2005
Premier League: Player of the Decade, (2000–2009) according to official statistics[20]
Premier League Player of the Season (2): 2004–05, 2005–06[citation needed]
Premier League 20 Seasons Awards: Premier League 500 Club
England Player of the Year (2): 2004, 2005
UEFA Euro 2004 Team of the Tournament
Premier League Player of the Month (4): September 2003, April 2005, October 2005, October 2008
Chelsea Player of the Year (3): 2004, 2005, 2009
PFA Premier League Team of the Year (3): 2004, 2005, 2006
Premier League: 2004–05 Barclays Merit Award (for 164 consecutive appearances)
ESM Team of the Year (3): 2004–05, 2005–06, 2009–10
FWA Tribute Award: 2010
Premier League leader in top assists:
2004–05: 16 assists
2009–10: 17 assists[citation needed]
FA Cup Final Man of the Match (1): 2007
UEFA Europa League Final Man of the Match (1): 2013
FA Cup: Best player – 2006–07, 2008–09, 2009–10
Premier League: Midfielder with the most goals – 165 goals
Goal of the Month – April 2010
Top scorer
2006–07 FA Cup : 6 goals
Chelsea F.C. (4): 2004–05, 2005–06, 2007–08, 2011–12
Chelsea F.C. all-time top scorer: 203 goals
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^ http://www.chelseafc.com/page/LatestNews/0,,10268~2217751,00.html. Missing or empty |title= (help)
^ Tottenham 1–1 Chelsea: Gomes Saves Late Drogba Penalty To Deny Champions Vital Win After Gifting Blues’ Leveller. Goal.
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^ (Portuguese) Chelsea vs Man Utd Escalações e Estatísticas. Goal.
^ (Portuguese) Blackpool vs Chelsea Escalações e Estatísticas. Goal.
^ (Portuguese) Chelsea vs West Ham Escalações e Estatísticas. Goal.
^ "Man Utd 2–1 Chelsea". BBC News. 8 May 2011.
^ (Portuguese) Chelsea vs Norwich City Comentário AO VIVO. Goal.
^ Report: Chelsea v Swansea City – Barclays Premier League – ESPN Soccernet. Soccernet.espn.go.com (24 September 2011).
^ Burt, Jason (28 September 2011). "Valencia 1 Chelsea 1: match report". The Daily Telegraph (London).
^ (Portuguese) Valencia arranca empate com Chelsea no final. Goal.
^ (Portuguese) "Bolton W vs Chelsea:play-by-play". Goal.
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^ "Wolves 1–2 Chelsea" BBC Sport. 2 January 2012. Retrieved 11 January 2012.
^ "Chelsea 3–0 Bolton" BBC Sport. 25 February 2012. Retrieved 25 February 2012.
^ (Portuguese) Chelsea consegue classificação dramática. Goal.
^ (Portuguese) Champions: Chelsea vence e vai para a semi. Goal (27 September 2012).
^ (Portuguese) Tottenham vs Chelsea Escalações e Estatísticas. Goal.
^ How Chelsea can edge past Barcelona to reach the UEFA Champions’ League final. The Periscope Post (24 April 2012).
^ Messi makes a mess of things for Barcelona. UTSanDiego.com (25 April 2012).
^ [1]
^ (Portuguese) Chelsea elimina Barça e vai para final. Goal.
^ (Portuguese) Chelsea é campeão da Copa da Inglaterra. Goal (27 September 2012).
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^ (Portuguese) Chelsea é campeão da Champions League. Goal.
^ McNulty, Phil. (19 May 2012) BBC Sport – Chelsea 1–1 Bayern Munich (aet, 4–3 pens). Bbc.co.uk.
^ "BBC Sport – Frank Lampard ruled out of England's Euro 2012 squad". BBC. 31 May 2012.
^ [2][dead link]
^ [3][dead link]
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^ a b "1990–2000". England Football Online. Retrieved 9 June 2013.
^ "England Under-21 Goalscorers". The Football Association. Archived from the original on 16 December 2008. Retrieved 9 June 2013.
^ Courtney, Barrie (21 March 2004). "England – International Results B-Team – Details". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 9 June 2013.
^ Chris Hatherall (5 July 2004). "Four All-Star Lions". The Football Association. Retrieved 12 April 2007.[dead link]
^ "And the winner is..". The Football Association. 20 January 2005. Retrieved 7 December 2008.[dead link]
^ "England 2–1 Poland". BBC News. 12 October 2005.
^ "England 1–0 Austria". BBC News. 8 October 2005.
^ McNulty, Phil (10 June 2006). "England 1–0 Paraguay". BBC News.
^ "Frank Lampard". ESPNsoccernet. Unknown parameter |However he was named man of the match against paraguay. url= ignored (help); |accessdate= requires |url= (help)
^ McKenzie, Andrew (22 August 2007). "England 1–2 Germany". BBC News.
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^ "England cruise to victory". The Football Association. 28 March 2009. Retrieved 29 March 2009.[dead link]
^ England 5 1 Croatia England recreate Magic of Munich goal.com
^ Garside, Kevin (27 June 2010). "England v Germany: Frank Lampard's disallowed goal highlights stupidity of Fifa". The Daily Telegraph (London).
^ Rogers, Simon (27 June 2010). "England v Germany: match statistics". The Guardian (London).
^ "Frank Lampard to captain England against Denmark". BBC Sport. 8 February 2011. Retrieved 8 February 2011.
^ (Portuguese) País de Gales vs Inglaterra Escalações e Estatísticas. Goal.
^ "England 2–2 Switzerland". BBC News. 4 June 2011.
^ (Portuguese) www.goal.com. www.goal.com (27 September 2012).
^ "Lampard handed England armband". ESPNSoccerent. 14 August 2012.
^ McNulty, Phil. (7 September 2012) BBC Sport – Moldova 0–5 England. Bbc.co.uk.
^ McNulty, Phil. (11 September 2012) BBC Sport – England 1–1 Ukraine. Bbc.co.uk.
^ http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/4782677/England-2-1-Brazil-Match-report-pictures-and-video-highlights.html
^ "San Marino 0-8 England player ratings". The Mirror. 22 March 2013.
^ Abrams, Jonny (15 September 2009). "Top Ten: Educated Footballers". blog.sport.co.uk. Retrieved 26 September 2010.
^ [6],
^ Stephen Naysmith (15 August 2004). "Channel 4 to show alleged Premiership sex video". CBS Interactive Inc. Retrieved 23 November 2008.
^ Chelsea four fined for drunken abuse The Telegraph
^ "Footballer Frank Lampard reported to have a high IQ". Mensa. Retrieved 12 March 2009.
^ "Lampard confirms his place on the right wing". Daily Mail (London). 7 November 2007. Retrieved 26 June 2010.
^ Lampard Joins Rooney on FIFA 10 Global Pack Games Guru 25 August 2009
^ "Frank Lampard signs new deal... to write children's books". inside World Soccer. 7 April 2011.
^ "Rives gives birth to footballer's second daughter". nowmagazine.co.uk. Retrieved 3 July 2007.
^ Frank Lampard to lose £1m after split from Elen Rives Wags Blog'.' Retrieved 12 March 2009.
^ Frank Lampard and Elen Rives hammer out deal after split The Sun'.' Retrieved 12 March 2009.
^ Christine Bleakley and Frank Lampard get engaged in L.A. after enjoying romantic trip to Las Vegas, MailOnline, 15 June 2011
^ "Lampard vents anger at 'heartless' comments live on radio". The Independent. 24 April 2009. Retrieved 25 April 2009.
^ "Frank Lampard's call to LBC: The full transcript". The Independent (London). 24 April 2009. Retrieved 25 April 2009.
^ Includes other competitive competitions such as the FA Community Shield, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup
^ Frank Lampard at National-Football-Teams.com
External links

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Frank Lampard – FIFA competition record
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WorldCat VIAF: 44264287 LCCN: nr2006031111
Categories: 1978 birthsLiving peoplePeople from RomfordEnglish footballersEngland youth international footballersEngland under-21 international footballersEngland B international footballersEngland international footballersAssociation football midfieldersPeople educated at Brentwood School (Essex)West Ham United F.C. playersSwansea City A.F.C. playersChelsea F.C. playersPremier League playersThe Football League playersUEFA Euro 2004 players2006 FIFA World Cup players2010 FIFA World Cup players
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