Behind the staggering stats, Cristiano Ronaldo made his mark with some truly breathtaking goals
Call it the curse of success, but any discussion of Cristiano Ronaldo’s goalscoring feats tends to resemble an accountancy seminar. Always it’s the numbers – cold, hard numbers and more numbers. Goals measured by metric tonnage and stripped of real-world meaning except for how those numbers compare to everybody else’s. The numbers do not lie, of course, but nor do they get a crowd of 50,000 leaping to their feet in astonishment.
The prolific Portuguese forward has racked up a record 140 strikes in the Champions League – a figure only feasible thanks to searing talent and endless determination. In seven different seasons, he finished top or joint-top of the competition scoring charts, and he did it by banging in some absolute stunners along the way. So, forget his mind-boggling stats for a moment and let’s recall his living, breathing impact on Champions League nights with five of his greatest goals.
An all-round attacking threat, Ronaldo developed into one of the most clinical headers of the ball when he moved into a more central position. Perhaps no goal better showcased that ability than his quarter-final effort for Manchester United away to Roma in April 2008. With a clutch of players close to goal, Paul Scholes lofted a cross into the middle from the right – but it was a runner from deep who reached it first, Ronaldo galloping past static bodies into the box and leaping high to nod a powerful effort low into the net.
Before developing into an uncanny goal machine, Ronaldo made his name as the crown prince of the stepover. He never lost those quick feet and the goal that capped his second Champions League hat-trick – away to Galatasaray in 2013 – combined his old wing wizardry with the clinical finishing of his prime. Breaching the area on the left, the Real Madrid ace danced between two defenders and raced beyond a third before thumping the ball into the far corner with his ‘weaker’ left foot. Sublime.
No list of Ronaldo goals would be complete without a set piece, and top of the pile has to be his free-kick away to Arsenal in May 2009. “Too far for Ronaldo to think about it,” was the verdict of ITV commentator Clive Tyldesley as the Portuguese readied himself out wide on the right around 35 metres from goal. Seconds later, Manuel Almunia was fishing the ball from his net, Ronaldo having flashed a vicious effort inside his near post to all but seal United’s place in the final.
Aged 33, Ronaldo was supposedly past his peak when Madrid visited Juventus for their quarter-final opener in April 2018. Cue one of the most outrageous feats of acrobatics in Champions League history as Dani Carvajal chipped a cross towards the penalty spot. The ball was a fair distance behind Ronaldo, but no matter – back he sprinted before launching himself above Mattia De Sciglio and spearing an overhead kick past Gianluigi Buffon. Even the home fans had to applaud what Juve defender Andrea Barzagli called “a PlayStation goal”.
“No! No! No!” That’s what United centre-back Rio Ferdinand remembers screaming as Ronaldo eyed up a shot away to Porto in April 2009. The distance was ridiculous, around 40 metres out, and surely this promising young dynamo wasn’t THAT good? Well… actually, he was, Ronaldo taking just a couple of touches and unleashing a ferocious drive that whipped through the air past goalkeeper Helton. It was all over before anyone could fathom what had happened – and few would ever doubt him again.
Behind the staggering stats, Cristiano Ronaldo made his mark with some truly breathtaking goals
Call it the curse of success, but any discussion of Cristiano Ronaldo’s goalscoring feats tends to resemble an accountancy seminar. Always it’s the numbers – cold, hard numbers and more numbers. Goals measured by metric tonnage and stripped of real-world meaning except for how those numbers compare to everybody else’s. The numbers do not lie, of course, but nor do they get a crowd of 50,000 leaping to their feet in astonishment.
The prolific Portuguese forward has racked up a record 140 strikes in the Champions League – a figure only feasible thanks to searing talent and endless determination. In seven different seasons, he finished top or joint-top of the competition scoring charts, and he did it by banging in some absolute stunners along the way. So, forget his mind-boggling stats for a moment and let’s recall his living, breathing impact on Champions League nights with five of his greatest goals.
An all-round attacking threat, Ronaldo developed into one of the most clinical headers of the ball when he moved into a more central position. Perhaps no goal better showcased that ability than his quarter-final effort for Manchester United away to Roma in April 2008. With a clutch of players close to goal, Paul Scholes lofted a cross into the middle from the right – but it was a runner from deep who reached it first, Ronaldo galloping past static bodies into the box and leaping high to nod a powerful effort low into the net.
Before developing into an uncanny goal machine, Ronaldo made his name as the crown prince of the stepover. He never lost those quick feet and the goal that capped his second Champions League hat-trick – away to Galatasaray in 2013 – combined his old wing wizardry with the clinical finishing of his prime. Breaching the area on the left, the Real Madrid ace danced between two defenders and raced beyond a third before thumping the ball into the far corner with his ‘weaker’ left foot. Sublime.
No list of Ronaldo goals would be complete without a set piece, and top of the pile has to be his free-kick away to Arsenal in May 2009. “Too far for Ronaldo to think about it,” was the verdict of ITV commentator Clive Tyldesley as the Portuguese readied himself out wide on the right around 35 metres from goal. Seconds later, Manuel Almunia was fishing the ball from his net, Ronaldo having flashed a vicious effort inside his near post to all but seal United’s place in the final.
Aged 33, Ronaldo was supposedly past his peak when Madrid visited Juventus for their quarter-final opener in April 2018. Cue one of the most outrageous feats of acrobatics in Champions League history as Dani Carvajal chipped a cross towards the penalty spot. The ball was a fair distance behind Ronaldo, but no matter – back he sprinted before launching himself above Mattia De Sciglio and spearing an overhead kick past Gianluigi Buffon. Even the home fans had to applaud what Juve defender Andrea Barzagli called “a PlayStation goal”.
“No! No! No!” That’s what United centre-back Rio Ferdinand remembers screaming as Ronaldo eyed up a shot away to Porto in April 2009. The distance was ridiculous, around 40 metres out, and surely this promising young dynamo wasn’t THAT good? Well… actually, he was, Ronaldo taking just a couple of touches and unleashing a ferocious drive that whipped through the air past goalkeeper Helton. It was all over before anyone could fathom what had happened – and few would ever doubt him again.
Behind the staggering stats, Cristiano Ronaldo made his mark with some truly breathtaking goals
Call it the curse of success, but any discussion of Cristiano Ronaldo’s goalscoring feats tends to resemble an accountancy seminar. Always it’s the numbers – cold, hard numbers and more numbers. Goals measured by metric tonnage and stripped of real-world meaning except for how those numbers compare to everybody else’s. The numbers do not lie, of course, but nor do they get a crowd of 50,000 leaping to their feet in astonishment.
The prolific Portuguese forward has racked up a record 140 strikes in the Champions League – a figure only feasible thanks to searing talent and endless determination. In seven different seasons, he finished top or joint-top of the competition scoring charts, and he did it by banging in some absolute stunners along the way. So, forget his mind-boggling stats for a moment and let’s recall his living, breathing impact on Champions League nights with five of his greatest goals.
An all-round attacking threat, Ronaldo developed into one of the most clinical headers of the ball when he moved into a more central position. Perhaps no goal better showcased that ability than his quarter-final effort for Manchester United away to Roma in April 2008. With a clutch of players close to goal, Paul Scholes lofted a cross into the middle from the right – but it was a runner from deep who reached it first, Ronaldo galloping past static bodies into the box and leaping high to nod a powerful effort low into the net.
Before developing into an uncanny goal machine, Ronaldo made his name as the crown prince of the stepover. He never lost those quick feet and the goal that capped his second Champions League hat-trick – away to Galatasaray in 2013 – combined his old wing wizardry with the clinical finishing of his prime. Breaching the area on the left, the Real Madrid ace danced between two defenders and raced beyond a third before thumping the ball into the far corner with his ‘weaker’ left foot. Sublime.
No list of Ronaldo goals would be complete without a set piece, and top of the pile has to be his free-kick away to Arsenal in May 2009. “Too far for Ronaldo to think about it,” was the verdict of ITV commentator Clive Tyldesley as the Portuguese readied himself out wide on the right around 35 metres from goal. Seconds later, Manuel Almunia was fishing the ball from his net, Ronaldo having flashed a vicious effort inside his near post to all but seal United’s place in the final.
Aged 33, Ronaldo was supposedly past his peak when Madrid visited Juventus for their quarter-final opener in April 2018. Cue one of the most outrageous feats of acrobatics in Champions League history as Dani Carvajal chipped a cross towards the penalty spot. The ball was a fair distance behind Ronaldo, but no matter – back he sprinted before launching himself above Mattia De Sciglio and spearing an overhead kick past Gianluigi Buffon. Even the home fans had to applaud what Juve defender Andrea Barzagli called “a PlayStation goal”.
“No! No! No!” That’s what United centre-back Rio Ferdinand remembers screaming as Ronaldo eyed up a shot away to Porto in April 2009. The distance was ridiculous, around 40 metres out, and surely this promising young dynamo wasn’t THAT good? Well… actually, he was, Ronaldo taking just a couple of touches and unleashing a ferocious drive that whipped through the air past goalkeeper Helton. It was all over before anyone could fathom what had happened – and few would ever doubt him again.
Behind the staggering stats, Cristiano Ronaldo made his mark with some truly breathtaking goals
Call it the curse of success, but any discussion of Cristiano Ronaldo’s goalscoring feats tends to resemble an accountancy seminar. Always it’s the numbers – cold, hard numbers and more numbers. Goals measured by metric tonnage and stripped of real-world meaning except for how those numbers compare to everybody else’s. The numbers do not lie, of course, but nor do they get a crowd of 50,000 leaping to their feet in astonishment.
The prolific Portuguese forward has racked up a record 140 strikes in the Champions League – a figure only feasible thanks to searing talent and endless determination. In seven different seasons, he finished top or joint-top of the competition scoring charts, and he did it by banging in some absolute stunners along the way. So, forget his mind-boggling stats for a moment and let’s recall his living, breathing impact on Champions League nights with five of his greatest goals.
An all-round attacking threat, Ronaldo developed into one of the most clinical headers of the ball when he moved into a more central position. Perhaps no goal better showcased that ability than his quarter-final effort for Manchester United away to Roma in April 2008. With a clutch of players close to goal, Paul Scholes lofted a cross into the middle from the right – but it was a runner from deep who reached it first, Ronaldo galloping past static bodies into the box and leaping high to nod a powerful effort low into the net.
Before developing into an uncanny goal machine, Ronaldo made his name as the crown prince of the stepover. He never lost those quick feet and the goal that capped his second Champions League hat-trick – away to Galatasaray in 2013 – combined his old wing wizardry with the clinical finishing of his prime. Breaching the area on the left, the Real Madrid ace danced between two defenders and raced beyond a third before thumping the ball into the far corner with his ‘weaker’ left foot. Sublime.
No list of Ronaldo goals would be complete without a set piece, and top of the pile has to be his free-kick away to Arsenal in May 2009. “Too far for Ronaldo to think about it,” was the verdict of ITV commentator Clive Tyldesley as the Portuguese readied himself out wide on the right around 35 metres from goal. Seconds later, Manuel Almunia was fishing the ball from his net, Ronaldo having flashed a vicious effort inside his near post to all but seal United’s place in the final.
Aged 33, Ronaldo was supposedly past his peak when Madrid visited Juventus for their quarter-final opener in April 2018. Cue one of the most outrageous feats of acrobatics in Champions League history as Dani Carvajal chipped a cross towards the penalty spot. The ball was a fair distance behind Ronaldo, but no matter – back he sprinted before launching himself above Mattia De Sciglio and spearing an overhead kick past Gianluigi Buffon. Even the home fans had to applaud what Juve defender Andrea Barzagli called “a PlayStation goal”.
“No! No! No!” That’s what United centre-back Rio Ferdinand remembers screaming as Ronaldo eyed up a shot away to Porto in April 2009. The distance was ridiculous, around 40 metres out, and surely this promising young dynamo wasn’t THAT good? Well… actually, he was, Ronaldo taking just a couple of touches and unleashing a ferocious drive that whipped through the air past goalkeeper Helton. It was all over before anyone could fathom what had happened – and few would ever doubt him again.
Behind the staggering stats, Cristiano Ronaldo made his mark with some truly breathtaking goals
Call it the curse of success, but any discussion of Cristiano Ronaldo’s goalscoring feats tends to resemble an accountancy seminar. Always it’s the numbers – cold, hard numbers and more numbers. Goals measured by metric tonnage and stripped of real-world meaning except for how those numbers compare to everybody else’s. The numbers do not lie, of course, but nor do they get a crowd of 50,000 leaping to their feet in astonishment.
The prolific Portuguese forward has racked up a record 140 strikes in the Champions League – a figure only feasible thanks to searing talent and endless determination. In seven different seasons, he finished top or joint-top of the competition scoring charts, and he did it by banging in some absolute stunners along the way. So, forget his mind-boggling stats for a moment and let’s recall his living, breathing impact on Champions League nights with five of his greatest goals.
An all-round attacking threat, Ronaldo developed into one of the most clinical headers of the ball when he moved into a more central position. Perhaps no goal better showcased that ability than his quarter-final effort for Manchester United away to Roma in April 2008. With a clutch of players close to goal, Paul Scholes lofted a cross into the middle from the right – but it was a runner from deep who reached it first, Ronaldo galloping past static bodies into the box and leaping high to nod a powerful effort low into the net.
Before developing into an uncanny goal machine, Ronaldo made his name as the crown prince of the stepover. He never lost those quick feet and the goal that capped his second Champions League hat-trick – away to Galatasaray in 2013 – combined his old wing wizardry with the clinical finishing of his prime. Breaching the area on the left, the Real Madrid ace danced between two defenders and raced beyond a third before thumping the ball into the far corner with his ‘weaker’ left foot. Sublime.
No list of Ronaldo goals would be complete without a set piece, and top of the pile has to be his free-kick away to Arsenal in May 2009. “Too far for Ronaldo to think about it,” was the verdict of ITV commentator Clive Tyldesley as the Portuguese readied himself out wide on the right around 35 metres from goal. Seconds later, Manuel Almunia was fishing the ball from his net, Ronaldo having flashed a vicious effort inside his near post to all but seal United’s place in the final.
Aged 33, Ronaldo was supposedly past his peak when Madrid visited Juventus for their quarter-final opener in April 2018. Cue one of the most outrageous feats of acrobatics in Champions League history as Dani Carvajal chipped a cross towards the penalty spot. The ball was a fair distance behind Ronaldo, but no matter – back he sprinted before launching himself above Mattia De Sciglio and spearing an overhead kick past Gianluigi Buffon. Even the home fans had to applaud what Juve defender Andrea Barzagli called “a PlayStation goal”.
“No! No! No!” That’s what United centre-back Rio Ferdinand remembers screaming as Ronaldo eyed up a shot away to Porto in April 2009. The distance was ridiculous, around 40 metres out, and surely this promising young dynamo wasn’t THAT good? Well… actually, he was, Ronaldo taking just a couple of touches and unleashing a ferocious drive that whipped through the air past goalkeeper Helton. It was all over before anyone could fathom what had happened – and few would ever doubt him again.
Behind the staggering stats, Cristiano Ronaldo made his mark with some truly breathtaking goals
Call it the curse of success, but any discussion of Cristiano Ronaldo’s goalscoring feats tends to resemble an accountancy seminar. Always it’s the numbers – cold, hard numbers and more numbers. Goals measured by metric tonnage and stripped of real-world meaning except for how those numbers compare to everybody else’s. The numbers do not lie, of course, but nor do they get a crowd of 50,000 leaping to their feet in astonishment.
The prolific Portuguese forward has racked up a record 140 strikes in the Champions League – a figure only feasible thanks to searing talent and endless determination. In seven different seasons, he finished top or joint-top of the competition scoring charts, and he did it by banging in some absolute stunners along the way. So, forget his mind-boggling stats for a moment and let’s recall his living, breathing impact on Champions League nights with five of his greatest goals.
An all-round attacking threat, Ronaldo developed into one of the most clinical headers of the ball when he moved into a more central position. Perhaps no goal better showcased that ability than his quarter-final effort for Manchester United away to Roma in April 2008. With a clutch of players close to goal, Paul Scholes lofted a cross into the middle from the right – but it was a runner from deep who reached it first, Ronaldo galloping past static bodies into the box and leaping high to nod a powerful effort low into the net.
Before developing into an uncanny goal machine, Ronaldo made his name as the crown prince of the stepover. He never lost those quick feet and the goal that capped his second Champions League hat-trick – away to Galatasaray in 2013 – combined his old wing wizardry with the clinical finishing of his prime. Breaching the area on the left, the Real Madrid ace danced between two defenders and raced beyond a third before thumping the ball into the far corner with his ‘weaker’ left foot. Sublime.
No list of Ronaldo goals would be complete without a set piece, and top of the pile has to be his free-kick away to Arsenal in May 2009. “Too far for Ronaldo to think about it,” was the verdict of ITV commentator Clive Tyldesley as the Portuguese readied himself out wide on the right around 35 metres from goal. Seconds later, Manuel Almunia was fishing the ball from his net, Ronaldo having flashed a vicious effort inside his near post to all but seal United’s place in the final.
Aged 33, Ronaldo was supposedly past his peak when Madrid visited Juventus for their quarter-final opener in April 2018. Cue one of the most outrageous feats of acrobatics in Champions League history as Dani Carvajal chipped a cross towards the penalty spot. The ball was a fair distance behind Ronaldo, but no matter – back he sprinted before launching himself above Mattia De Sciglio and spearing an overhead kick past Gianluigi Buffon. Even the home fans had to applaud what Juve defender Andrea Barzagli called “a PlayStation goal”.
“No! No! No!” That’s what United centre-back Rio Ferdinand remembers screaming as Ronaldo eyed up a shot away to Porto in April 2009. The distance was ridiculous, around 40 metres out, and surely this promising young dynamo wasn’t THAT good? Well… actually, he was, Ronaldo taking just a couple of touches and unleashing a ferocious drive that whipped through the air past goalkeeper Helton. It was all over before anyone could fathom what had happened – and few would ever doubt him again.
