Cristiano Ronaldo fired Real Madrid to another Champions League glory after his two goals performance against Juventus.
Another year, another Champions League for the illustrious football club called Real Madrid. After being a shadow in Real’s two previous final outings in 2014 and 2016, Cristiano Ronaldo made his mark early. The talisman’s 20th minute strike after Dani Carvajal’s cut-back pass, put his side up 1-0, but Mario Mandzukic leveled the score in the 27th minute with a stunning overhead kick.
Coming into Saturday’s clash in Cardiff, Ronaldo trailed Lionel Messi 10-12 in the competition goalscoring chart, but the Portuguese wasn’t going to be denied the opportunity to surpass his nemesis in the grandest stage. His double not only exceeded the Argentine, but he also bagged his 600th career goals for clubs and country, amazing.
Although the final score will say 4-1 against Juventus, the night was all about Ronaldo after hoisting another Champions League title, his fourth overall, one with Manchester United and three with Real Madrid.
Arguably the greatest player of his generation and achieving something that has never been done before, winning consecutive Champions League title validates this more than before.
Ronaldo has stepped up and delivered when the lights shone brightest in this year’s European competition. His five goals performance in the quarterfinals against Bayern Munich and a hat-trick to down Atletico Madrid in the semifinals at the Bernabeu were testaments of his greatness.
Surely, no one expected Ronaldo to be prolific against the Bianconeri, especially with Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini in the back-line alongside Gianluigi Buffon in goal. But this is what makes Ronaldo so great and clutch, when stakes have been higher, he has been THE MAN for his club. Ten goals from the quarterfinals through the final is such an unbelievable feat.
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With Real adding the Champions League in the trophy cabinet, Ronaldo is now destined to collect his fourth Ballon d’Or in five years, which will be his fifth overall.
At age 32, Ronaldo has managed to transform himself into a goalscoring threat and it’s paid dividends to both Real Madrid and Portugal. He’s won three of the last four Champions League and led Portugal to the European crown in 2016.
Indeed, Messi has reached three straight finals with Argentina (2014-16) but he’s vanished in big games when Albiceleste needed him the most.
It’s unclear whether Ronaldo has surpassed Messi as both are still playing at a high level and Messi’s achievement should not be overlooked. The 30-year-old reaped four straight Ballon d’Ors from 2009-12, something that’s never been done before. He also has four Champions League trophies and will inevitably surpass the 100 goal mark in the competition next season.
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The comparison between these two legends will never end as both will try to outdo one another year in, year out. You’ve been served, Messi, what are you going to do?