The Champions League is Ronaldo’s favorite competition
While everyone knows of the special relationship that Real Madrid has with the Champions League, it is arguably Cristiano who symbolizes it the best.
While he was struggling in other competitions at the start of the season, he scored in every single match in the group stage of the UCL.
He also became the first player to do so. Ronaldo is currently the top scorer in the competition, with 12 goals, three of which came against PSG in the Round of 16.
Cristiano Ronaldo's #UCL quarter-final record = 🔥🔥🔥
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) March 21, 2018
Last-8 hero for Real Madrid again? 💪 pic.twitter.com/VGo9Em9Ks0
A quick look at his heat-maps for the crucial UCL fixtures will tell you that he runs more and he even tracks back to his own box in these matches. The desire is evident and ever-increasing.
It’s important to note that he doesn’t just lift himself in this competition, but he drives the whole team and pushes them to give their best as well. Over the last few years, he has turned into a true leader and motivational figure for Real Madrid.
You can see him giving pep talks during warm-ups, halftime breaks and in the tunnel. He is the first to encourage the team if they end up conceding, asking them to keep their calm. And coming from Ronaldo, it does mean more to the other players because they believe that he will find a way again.
Cristiano Ronaldo to the rest of the starters against PSG at the Parc de Princes during the warm up: “This match is 0-0! 0-0! Personality! We are playing at home! With personality! Asensio pressure them!” #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/Ds2E6wnNHh
— TheCristianoFan 🇵🇹 (@TheCristianoFan) March 8, 2018
Such is his importance to this side. You can almost see a spring in their step when Ronaldo is on the pitch. Given how wide open this season’s UCL is, Real Madrid will need all this and more from Ronaldo if they hope to complete a hat-trick of Champions League titles.
And you can see that Ronaldo believes it is possible.