I was born in Funchal, Madeira—the hometown of world-famous footballer Cristiano Ronaldo. Love him or hate him, one thing is undeniable: if you knew where he started and how far he has come, you’d have to admire his determination.

Madeira is a tiny island with around 250,000 inhabitants. When Cristiano Ronaldo was growing up, the island was at least a decade behind much of the world. While others had computers, video games, and cable TV, we had a single local TV channel that only aired between 9 AM and 7 PM and none of my friends had video games. I still remember spending weekends at grandmother’s watching the news in a black-and-white TV! Growing up in the 80s, life in Madeira was simple, family-focused, and—on average—modest. Yet, despite humble beginnings, a young boy with little to his name became one of the most recognisable figures on the planet.

Through a mix of luck, faith, and unwavering determination, Cristiano Ronaldo rose to become a global icon. If you want to learn more about his inspiring journey, I recommend Amazon’s Cristiano Ronaldo: The One and Only or Netflix’s Ronaldo.

But why Cristiano? Countless others have come from poverty and hardship, yet very few have achieved what he has. What sets him apart?

The answer lies in his ability to harness the power of focus, a growth mindset, and understanding the power of a personal brand.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s rise to success has been carefully documented. From interviews to documentaries, we’ve seen his relentless dedication to improvement. His routines, training, family values, and even his communication skills have been refined with one overarching goal: to be the best.

Everything about Ronaldo—his physical fitness, the way he speaks (overcoming the often-mocked Madeira accent), the way he carries himself, and how he plays—has been a process of peeling back layers that didn’t align with his vision. It’s been a continuous journey of growth, learning, and improvement.

This relentless pursuit of excellence has culminated in a personal brand worth around $800 million (as reported by Sports Illustrated), with an unmatched social following of 643 million (at the time of writing). His brand is rooted in values of perseverance, loyalty, and family—a combination that has resonated with millions around the world.

Whether you’re a fan of Cristiano Ronaldo or not, his story is a testament to the power of setting a goal and aligning every part of your life to achieve it. His brand isn’t just about football; it’s about commitment, vision, and showing the world what’s possible when you refuse to settle.

Image by NVD from Pixabay