With a chorus of boos ringing round the Estadio Do Dragao, Cristiano Ronaldo produced a masterclass in silencing a hostile crowd.
Ronaldo made his return to Portugal in a Champions League quarter-final tie Manchester United needed to win or a get an unlikely score draw of at least 3-3 at Porto’s home in 2009.
Being a former Sporting Lisbon player, he had to deal with all sorts of jeers in what was a high-pressure match anyway.
But just six minutes into it, Ronaldo showed exactly why he was set to be one of the all-time greats with an explosive strike into the top corner.
Clocked at a speed of 64.2mph, Ronaldo received the ball from Anderson just shy of 40 yards from goal, 39.6 yards to be precise.
He took one touch before firing it exquisitely beyond Helton to put United 1-0 up and 3-2 up in the tie.
The last time Cristiano Ronaldo faced Porto, he went on to win the first ever Puskas award for this rocket
(via @ChampionsLeague)pic.twitter.com/z203kASe17
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) February 16, 2021
It was a goal worthy of winning any match and that’s what happened as that’s all that separated the two sides in the Portuguese capital.
Football icon Ruud Gullit labelled it the ‘perfect strike’, while Ronaldo was so proud of it he made a DVD.
He also said it was the best goal he had ever scored, although a stunning overhead kick for Real Madrid against Juventus in April 2018 has eclipsed that in his eyes.
Meanwhile, former Man United boss Sir Alex Ferguson described it as ‘magnificent’ and ‘sensational’.
He added: “I would have to go a long way back in the memory bank to find another one like that!”
The memorable goal had a legacy too. Not only can it be easily found on social media, the creation of the Puskas Award followed months later. Ronaldo’s goal against Porto of course won the inaugural prize.
He returns to Porto’s home as Juventus take on the Portuguese champions in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 clash on Wednesday.
Juve are very much favourites so there’s every chance Ronaldo will make more happy memories at the Estadio Do Dragao.
https://talksport.com/football/835442/cristiano-ronaldo-goal-porto-man-utd-puskas-award/
#fantasyfootball #Sports #Betting #sportsbetting #sportsbettingadvice #freepick #freepicks #sportsbettingtips #handicapping #predictions #sportspredictions #NFL #esports #espn #NBA #NHL #sportsprediction #ncaa #mlb #WNBA #prediction #nhl #nhlplayoffs #nhlpicks #nbapicks #NBAPlayoffs #NFLPlayoffs #espnsports #bettingsports #bettingtips #bettingonline #bettingexpert #basketball #football #soccer #hockey #sportspicks #ncaabasketball #foxsports #cbssports #soccerpredictions #sportingbet