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Cristiano Ronaldo is the epitome of excellence. He is a generational goal-scorer, an unmatched sportsman, and an exemplary leader. He has won everything there is to win in club football and has helped his country, Portugal, to their maiden major international trophy.
Despite his exploits, there have always been some doubters who just cannot seem to keep faith in the man from Madeira. Today, we will be taking a look at some instances when Cristiano Ronaldo shattered the doubts of millions of football watchers and put on a show. Now, without further ado, let us honor the greatness of the man and take a look at
5 times Cristiano Ronaldo proved his doubters wrong
#5 Against Sweden in 2013
The FIFA World Cup is by far the most celebrated sporting event in the world. It is immensely prestigious for the players to represent the country in the FIFA World Cup, and Portugal captain, Cristiano Ronaldo, is no exception.
Leading into the 2014 World Cup, Portugal found themselves in a difficult spot as they were forced to lock horns with Sweden in the World Cup play-offs. Cristiano Ronaldo, who had only netted four times in Portugal’s World Cup qualifiers, was written off before Sweden rolled into town, but the then-28-year-old had a surprise in store.
Ronaldo scored the only goal in the first leg in Portugal and followed it up with a hat-trick at the Friends Arena in Solna, Sweden. His four-goal haul over two legs guaranteed Portugal a spot in the 2014 World Cup and eventually paved the way for his Ballon d’Or win in 2014.
#4 Against Bayern Munich in 2014
Real Madrid have seen some fine goal-scorers over the years and Cristiano Ronaldo is undoubtedly one of the best in history. So it came as a shock when the Portuguese superstar missed his crucial spot kick against Bayern Munich in the 2011/12 UEFA Champions League semi-finals.
The Real Madrid number 7 promised to make amends, and he did it handsomely in the 2013/14 UEFA Champions League campaign. After touching double digits in the group stage itself, Ronaldo prepared himself to take the fight to Bayern Munich in the semi-finals. However, his underwhelming form in front of goal in the first leg made people wary.
Cristiano Ronaldo put his scoring boots on in the return leg at the Allianz Arena and netted an outstanding brace, including an under-the-wall freekick in the closing minutes of the match. As a result, Real Madrid booked their first final in 12 years, and eventually won it against Atletico Madrid.
#3 Against Spain in 2018
Cristiano Ronaldo has been a force to be reckoned with in club football — one of the best the game has ever witnessed. However, in internationals, he has always faced a degree of criticism, with many claiming he has not been prolific against top national sides.
So, when Spain and Portugal were pitted in the same group in the 2018 FIFA World Cup, the majority wrote Cristiano Ronaldo off, predicting their tie to result in a straightforward win for Spain. On matchday, however, Spain witnessed the full wrath of an in-form Cristiano Ronaldo.
Ronaldo was the first to break the deadlock with a sweetly-struck penalty in the fourth minute. Diego Costa restored parity for Spain but Ronaldo pulled Portugal ahead just before half-time by catching David de Gea off guard.
Spain scored twice in the second half to put themselves in the driving seat, but Ronaldo’s exceptionally executed free-kick from just outside the box earned Portugal a point. With the treble that night, Cristiano Ronaldo became the oldest hat-trick scorer in the FIFA World Cup.
#2 Against Arsenal in 2009
Arsenal and Manchester United have played out some nail-biting fixtures over the years. They had the opportunity to add one more chapter to their historic tale in 2009, when they met in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals.
Manchester United came into the second leg - away at Arsenal - with a slender one-goal advantage. Park Ji-sung doubled United’s tally under the 10-minute mark in the second leg, thereby settling the nerves of his team-mates. However, it was Cristiano Ronaldo’s insane free-kick which became the highlight of the match.
Cristiano Ronaldo stood over the ball on the right side of the pitch, 40 yards away from Manuel Almunia’s goal. The famous commentator, Clive Tyldesley, thought it was too far for Ronaldo to even think about taking a direct shot at goal. Moments later, he was forced to exclaim in wonder as Ronaldo hit the back of the net. The winger doubled his tally later in the match, topping off a perfectly executed Manchester United counter attack.
#1 Against Wolfsburg in 2016
When Real Madrid drew Wolfsburg in the 2015/16 UEFA Champions League quarter-finals, Madridistas expected a walk in the park for their team. However, Wolfsburg’s spirited 2-0 win in the first leg left Real Madrid with a mountain to climb in the second leg.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid's talisman, was tasked with the impossible - to enable Real Madrid's progress to the semi-finals. The Portugal captain pulled one back in the 15th minute and then restored parity in the tie just two minutes later, both with the help of his unmatched off-the-ball movement.
The third and most special of the lot came with 13 minutes left to play. Cristiano Ronaldo stood over the free-kick outside the box and somehow breached the wall with impeccable precision, leaving the Wolfsburg goalkeeper dumbfounded. The match ended 3-0, which shot Real Madrid into the last four and eventually bag their 11th UEFA Champions League title.
