Ten incredible Cristiano Ronaldo highlights for Real Madrid you may have forgotten
7. Incredible half-volley on the turn vs Sporting Gijon, LaLiga 2015/16
We generally talk about players’ strong feet and weak feet, and on which wing should we should use them to help them feel comfortable. Well, in Cristiano’s case it is difficult to predict if he has a weak foot. He does have a strong right foot, but it would be a shame to call his left foot his weaker foot because it is better than the strong foot of many other players. And this forgotten goal just shows us why.
Half-volleys might be easier than volleys, but it is a lot more difficult when you have to hit them from far, and that too on the turn. But Ronaldo did it with ease, as he scored a left-footed thunderbolt from just inside the box against Sporting Gijon in 2016. We might be reminded of Ronaldo’s goal against Sevilla in 2017 when we read the words ‘left-footed thunderbolt’. But this goal was an even more difficult one, and the power behind this shot is simply insane. The keeper was well-positioned for the shot, but he couldn’t even attempt to save that lightning strike from the Portuguese.
These all are little moments, but they all showcase the skills that have made Ronaldo a complete player.
8. Unbelievable assist to Benzema vs Getafe, LaLiga 2011/12
You can watch this assist here.
If you ask me to pick Ronaldo’s best assist out of his 130 plus assists for Real Madrid, I would pick this one. It might look like a normal cross on a counter-attack, which looks easy to some and might sound less fancy than a line-breaking through ball, but it is very difficult to execute.
It is an inviting cross for both the defenders and the intended target, Karim Benzema. For Benzema, the pass is well-timed and it is well guided as it will meet his running line. But at the same time, the cross is through an area that is close to the goalkeeper and the defenders, which gave them the hope that they stop the ball from reaching Benzema. But still, no one could stop the goal because Ronaldo didn’t overcook or undercook the cross with his left foot. He got many more such incredible assists while playing for Real Madrid, including this one to Mesut Ozil, during the same season.
I know that crosses are often overlooked by people, and for some fans, just through balls and lobbed passes are a part of playmaking. There are still some people today who say that Zidane won three UCL titles in a row by ‘just’ using crossing tactics. But crossing isn’t an easy skill to master, and it’s always an important weapon to beat stubborn defences. And I think crossing has always been an underappreciated aspect of Ronaldo’s game. He has been one of the best crossers in this generation, and crossing from wide areas was a crucial part of his playmaking role, before his change in position.