A university in Canada has introduced a course focusing on the social influence of Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Portuguese player, who turns 30 years old today, recently won the Champions League, the Copa del Rey and the Club World Cup, and scored more than 50 goals in less than a year.

Now, students have been given the chance to learn about the former Manchester United star via a sociology course at the University of British Columbia Okanagan.

Associate professor Luis Aguiar told Oporto radio station in Portugal: "Ronaldo is the centre and every discussion and class meeting revolves around Ronaldo initially. And then we explore, we broaden out to larger themes.

"So it starts with Ronaldo, but Ronaldo is almost like a springboard to talk about larger issues that are much more sociologically significant than just a biography of Ronaldo.

"I don't know if Ronaldo knows about the course. I haven't heard from him, I haven't heard from his entourage. I would love to hear from either one, and I would love Ronaldo maybe Skyping into the class."

Ronaldo and Barcelona star Lionel Messi are regarded as the world's two best footballers of today.