Sporting pay tribute to Cristiano Ronaldo and his Ballon d'Or achievements with special third kit design in honor of Portugal superstar

Sporting CP has unveiled a special kit honoring Cristiano Ronaldo and his Ballon d’Or achievements. The jersey features an iconic number seven design on the front. The Portuguese club took to X to post an advert video showing Ronaldo’s iconic number seven jerseys for various clubs throughout his career.

Cristiano Ronaldo, who currently plies his trade for Al-Nassr, rose up the ranks of the Sporting CP academy and made his debut for the club’s senior team at the age of 17. He spent one year in the senior team and went on to join Manchester United, where he won his first Ballon d’Or. He left the Red Devils in 2009 to join Real Madrid. He blossomed at the Spanish capital and won four more Ballon d’Ors.

After leaving Madrid, he moved to Juventus and then returned to United before joining Al-Nassr, where he currently is.

Now over two decades since Cristiano Ronaldo left Sporting CP, the Portuguese club has released a Ronaldo-inspired third kit for the 2024-25 season. The jersey is black with a gold trim on the collar and sleeves, while there is a streak of gold emblazoned on the front in the shape of a No. 7. The club said via its website:

''The seven. Lucky number? Only we know that luck is dressed in effort, Dedication and Devotion. There are numbers that leave a legacy because, behind them, there are people who build it day after day. We brought the number 7, in an unprecedented and proud way, to the front of our new jersey, in golden tones, in homage to Cristiano Ronaldo and his five Ballons d'Or.

''And we associate ourselves with the person who, better than anyone, could wear this jersey: Cristiano Ronaldo Jr. So, we invite you to wear the number 7 jersey, the third kit of the 2024/2025 season. The next 7 could be you!

As an additional gesture of recognition, Sporting used Ronaldo's eldest son, Cristiano Jr., to model the jersey for its release. He was pictured wearing the kit on their X account with the caption:

''We are our legacy’’

It is, however, important to note that this is not the first time that Sporting CP has honored Ronaldo since the 39-year-old left the club. They released a CR7-inspired kit in 2022-23 that crowned Ronaldo as the ‘’best in the world’’.

How Cristiano Ronaldo fared at Sporting CP

Cristiano Ronaldo’s meteoric rise to footballing superstardom began in the city of Lisbon where he honed his craft at Sporting CP. Joining the club’s prestigious academy as a 12-year-old, Ronaldo showed glimpses of his extraordinary talent, laying the foundation for a career that would redefine football history.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s journey at Sporting CP started with significant challenges. Leaving his home in Madeira at such a young age, he faced homesickness and struggled to adapt to the rigorous demands of the academy. However, his unyielding determination and exceptional talent soon set him apart. Coaches and teammates marveled at his unmatched work ethic and raw potential.

At just 17 years old, Ronaldo made his first-team debut in the Primeira Liga against Moreirense in October 2002, marking the occasion with a brace. His blistering pace, dazzling footwork, and ability to take on defenders quickly made him a fan favorite.

Ronaldo’s most defining moment at Sporting CP came during a pre-season friendly against Manchester United in August 2003. Playing at the newly opened Estádio José Alvalade, Ronaldo delivered a mesmerizing performance, tormenting United’s defenders with his electrifying dribbling and speed.

Sir Alex Ferguson and several United players were so impressed that they urged the club to sign him immediately. Within days, Cristiano Ronaldo joined Manchester United for €19 million, a record fee for a teenager at the time. He scored five goals and provided six assists for Sporting in 31 appearances across competitions.