Why Cristiano Ronaldo is the best finisher in Champions League history

Cristiano Ronaldo hogged all the headlines as Real Madrid trounced Juventus 3-0 in the first leg of the quarter-final of the Champions League.

The Portuguese forward scored a brace in each half as Marcelo rounded up a dominant performance with a neat finish from close range with twenty minutes to go.

The three goals scored in Turin puts Zinedine Zidane’s side in a pivotal position to qualify for the semi-finals ahead of the all decisive return leg in Spain in a week’s time.

For Ronaldo however, the exultant performance proved yet again that the Portuguese is the most revered finisher in the history of the Champions League.

 

Astute goal scorer

Juventus had been on a rich vein of form with an impressive unbeaten run of 25 matches.

All this however counted for little, as the man for the big occasion stood up to the challenge by getting on the score sheet after just three minutes, scoring his fastest goal ever in the Champions League.

What’s more, he became the first man in history to score in ten consecutive Champions League matches.

His double on the night took his tally in the quarter-final of the competition to 21 goals, one more than Juventus have scored at this stage of the competition in their entire history.

Ronaldo’s baffling goal scoring stats certainly places him as the best marksman in the history of the prestigious competition.

 

Yields under pressure

Many players often crumble when their services are called upon in the big occasion; many save for Cristiano Ronaldo.

The record breaking forward lives for the grand occasion where most would get stage fright, as he endeavors to take his already impressive goal scoring achievements to unprecedented heights.

His composure and cold hearted nature in front of goal certainly puts him in a class of his own.

 

Only getting better

They say it’s what you do in your younger years that will determine how well you live in your latter days. Cristiano Ronaldo’s athleticism emanating from a strict adherence to a disciplined lifestyle since his teenage days has him aging like fine wine.

Although most footballers beyond the age of thirty are either done and dusted or past their prime, Ronaldo at 33 years of age remains a force to reckon with in football.

His record breaking achievements in the game has made celebrated goal scorers like Raul Gonzalez and Ruud van Nistelrooy look like minions, making him the most revered finisher in the history of the Champions League.

 

Written by Brian Humphrey

Follow Brian on Twitter @brihum

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