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He's been known for many things in his career, but if there's one thing that comes above all of them is his ability to score goals. Cristiano Ronaldo registered his 700th career goal, scoring in a 2-1 loss to Ukraine recently. But, over the years, he has scored important goals for every team that he has represented and against some of the finest teams he's faced.
He has built his immense reputation on his ability to turn up consistently and score against all manners of opposition regardless of the amount of pressure on him. In fact, he almost seems to feed on the pressure to score important goals for his team.
Ronaldo's performances over the years have become iconic in terms of not only being memorable for the beauty of some goals but also for the occasion that he makes his own stage. We've been watching his career unfold before our eyes, now perhaps its time to look back through the archives and relive some of those effervescent moments.
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#20 2014 UEFA Champions League final against Atletico Madrid
Remembered as the final they almost lost, Sergio Ramos rose above the rest in stoppage time to score from a corner and keep Real Madrid going. Los Blancos were sublime in extra time and took their noisy neighbours apart. It was Ronaldo's first Champions League final in a Real Madrid shirt and he was determined to get on the scoresheet.
In the last seconds of the game when the result was more or less sealed for Real Madrid, Ronaldo stepped up to take a penalty after he was brought down by Gabi in the box. The talisman had a goal in the Champions League final once again, one that would kickstart a long journey of winning in the Champions League for Ronaldo and Real Madrid.
#19 Scoring for Manchester United against Wigan in the 2006 League Cup Final
By 2006, Ronaldo was starting to become an integral player in Sir Alex Ferguson's set-up at Manchester United. Few would have an inkling of just how influential he would turn out to be but Ronaldo was already the man for a big moment.
His goal in the large scheme of things was just a number in the four that United netted against Wigan on that day but it was a big goal in the making of Ronaldo. It typified the goals he would score later in his career cutting in from the wing and dispatching a low driven shot that made it difficult for the keeper.
Ronaldo would go on to score plenty of more important goals but a goal in a final is always memorable, even more so when you're coming through as player.
#18 The incredible backheel against Rayo Vallecano
Real Madrid played some poor football on that day against Rayo Vallecano and were most likely it seemed not going to get anything from the game, but were saved by an outrageous goal by Cristiano Ronaldo.
In their chase for the title that season Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid faced many challenges and they found different solutions to them. This one seemed like they'd have to chalk it off as a draw until Ronaldo decided to backheel the ball while moving away from goal. There was a huge element of fortune as the ball navigated its way through at least four players before it rolled into the net and made for an iconic moment for Ronaldo.
The forward would later say that it wasn't his best goal ever and he would be right but it was important and iconic nonetheless.
#17 Euro 2004 semi-final victory against the Netherlands
Among many other things, superb headed goals would become one of the things we expect from Cristiano Ronaldo. Even earlier in his career, he was no slouch in the air. In his first major tournament with Portugal, Euro 2004, Ronaldo scored the opening goal in a 2-1 win over the Netherlands to take his team to the final.
The game is remembered for Maniche's superb strike from range but it was Ronaldo who set them on the path by beating his marker to open the scoring on the day. Portugal would eventually lose to an inspired Greece in the finals but it was a day to remember for the Portuguese.
Ronaldo, who a youngster back then, was already starting to make waves in the national team set-up and contribute in meaningful ways for his national team.
#16 His second goal in the Nations League Semi-finals Portugal against Switzerland
Despite it being a newly instituted championship, Ronaldo will celebrate every milestone hit with Portugal with great enthusiasm. His performance for his national team in the Nations League was an inspiring bit of play that saw him take control of the time and arrow his team into the final.
Up against the resilient Swiss who had come into the semi-finals on the back of some stellar group performances, Ronaldo turned on a switch to become his devastating self on a big stage.
The Portuguese forward scored three on the night and the opening goal was a freekick arrowed into the bottom corner from range and is a lasting memory that will stick with anyone who saw him score it. It was the second that really proved to be the most important though, as Ricardo Rodriguez would equalise for the Swiss in the second half.
Portugal's best efforts didn't yield any results till Ronaldo turned up in the 88th minute to sweep the ball home and clinch the game for his country. He would score once again in the 90th minute to complete the set.
#15 Ronaldo goal v Iran World Cup 2006
You'll always remember your first World Cup goal, even if it wasn't a great performance from you personally. Cristiano Ronaldo's first World Cup campaign with Portugal ended with them losing to France in the semi-final and eventually finishing fourth. Ronaldo may remember it fondly for his first-ever World Cup goal though.
He stepped up to take a penalty ahead of illustrious team-mate and then Portugal's number 7 Luis Figo. Ronaldo converted from the spot to add his name to a list of Portugal's best who had all scored on the big stage. It was the beginning of a long relationship with the national team that has seen him become their talisman over a period of time.
It was in the same campaign that Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney had the spat when their nations faced each other on the pitch. That incident will live longer in public memory, but Ronaldo's goal against Iran will be special to him.
#14 The opener in the Copa Del Rey Semi-Final at the Nou Camp
After drawing 1-1 at home Real Madrid travelled to the Nou Camp where their recent record wasn't much to speak about but the defending La Liga champions would not be counted put in their opponent's backyard.
The revolution began with Ronaldo as he was put through by Gonzalo Higuain and bamboozled Gerard Pique who in an attempt to stop him fouled Ronaldo in the box. He typically scored from the spot to put Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid ahead at the Nou Camp having scored on six consecutive visits there.
Ronaldo would score another on the night as the ball broke to him after Angel Di Maria's attempt and he dispatched it with ease to hand Real Madrid a 4-2 win on aggregate and perhaps more important to the bragging rights, a 3-1 win in Camp Nou.
#13 The equaliser for Portugal against Spain in the 2018 World Cup
A rollercoaster of a game that Spain and Portugal played like boxers, trading blows and constantly moving, dodging and landing hits. It was Portugal that started the part with Ronaldo scoring an early penalty.
Spain's answer to that was Diego Costa who scored a sublime equaliser seemingly out of a nothing chance. Portugal would take the lead again through Ronaldo only for Costa to equalise and Nacho to strike with a pure hit to put Spain ahead.
Trailing 3-2 with barely minutes to go, Portugal won a freekick in Ronaldo territory. The magician stepped up and smashed the ball with his wand of a right foot and it curled past the wall to nestle in the top corner leaving Portugal to wheel away in celebration as they had just played out a fascinating 3-3 encounter in which Ronaldo scored all three of Portugal's goals.
#12 Cristiano Ronaldo's goal against Wigan to seal the Premier League title in 2008
On the final day of the season, Manchester United had to equal or better Chelsea's result to win the title. If they won, there would be no doubt, and Cristiano Ronaldo was on hand to do so when the chance arrived.
It wasn't an easy game for the Red Devils and they were struggling to deal with Wigan's high press. However, when Wayne Rooney was brought down in the box, the usual suspect stepped up. Ronaldo kept his cool to send the ball into the back of the net and put his side in pole position for the title. On a personal note, it marked his 31st goal of the season as he equalled Alan Shearer's record at the time for most goals in a 38-game season.
It was both a personal landmark and a collective landmark with the club that marked their second consecutive Premier League title, and they would go on to make it three next season.
#11 Ronaldo's penalty for Manchester United to seal the title against Manchester City
They wouldn't know this goal had won the title for them until later when Chelsea failed to beat Arsenal in the London Derby. It marked Ronaldo's first Premier League title win and it was sealed from the spot when he stepped up after having been brought down in the box.
The lone goal was sufficient to carry them to victory and of course Edwin van der Sar's save from a penalty at the other end, but Ronaldo would make a creer of such moments. Committing defenders in the box and dispatching penalties expertly over the course of his career.
The importance of the win was seen in real-time but the fact that it would become a title sealing three points only became apparent later, adding to the lore of Ronaldo.
#10 Ronaldo's third goal at home for Juventus against Atletico Madrid to overturn a 2-0 deficit
The 2018/19 Champions League season became known for many comebacks, the most iconic among them was Liverpool coming back to snatch the tie against Barcelona, but Spurs' return to beat Ajax was no less. Earlier in the competition though, Cristiano Ronaldo had a stunning performance up his sleeve when Atletico Madrid were drawn against Juventus.
The first leg saw Juventus lose 2-0 at the Wanda Metropolitano and it was easy to rule them out against a defensively organised Diego Simeone side who could protect one goal leads with great ferocity, and here they had two.
When Ronaldo scored with a header midway through the first half, you could see the script forming in his mind and he executed it to perfection, he then went on to score another header to bring them level.
The most important goal of the night came in the 86th minute when Ronaldo stepped up to the penalty spot after Federico Bernardeschi was fouled in the box and finished the job with his third goal.
#9 Goal for Manchester United in the 2004 FA Cup Final against Millwall
His first goal in a major competitive final was against Millwall. Cristiano Ronaldo sneaked past his marker at the back post to head home and put Manchester United in the lead. It kicked off what would be a 3-0 win in the end, but Ronaldo showing up in a final would become a big theme in his career and it started here.
Though Manchester United won comfortably in the end, this season saw Cristiano start to become a talisman for them. This was his true homecoming.
The boy who had replaced David Beckham at Manchester United was becoming a man with his performances on the pitch. the FA Cup would be his first trophy with Manchester United and there would be plenty more to come.
#8 The goal to rescue Portugal against Hungary in the Euro 2016 group stage
It's unreal that Portugal won the European Championships in 2016 when they barely got out of their group. Cristiano Ronaldo would score twice in the game to equalise and take the third spot in the group against Hungary to progress into the next round after which there was no stopping them.
Here's the dilemma though, the sheer audacity of his flicked goal was a sight to behold. Under plenty fo pressure to deliver or crash out, Ronaldo ran into the box to receive a cross from Joao Mario. The defender had tracked his run and was prepared for him to control and shoot deep in the box, but the Portuguese forward ran past the ball, reached out with his right foot and flicked the ball into the net behind his back.
It'll remain a lasting memory for anyone who witnessed it for the sheer nerve to pull it off in a crunch game.
The more important goal, though, was his second and Portugal's third that got them the all-important point. Amore conventional goal and good in its own right, but not a spectacle like the first.
#7 Freekick against Arsenal in the 2009 Champions League semi-final
Manchester United had won 1-0 at home and travelled to the Emirates. The Gunners were confident that they could overturn the deficit playing at home, but that prospect looked unlikely once Ronaldo had his say. Park Ji-Sung equalised early on, but the moment of beauty came only minutes after.
A freekick on the wide right position over 30 meters from goal doesn't usually spell goalscoring opportunity, especially for a right-footed player. So when Ronaldo lined up behind it looking very much like he was going to send the ball goalwards, few would've guessed that he would send the ball dipping and swerving into the back of the net, but that's exactly what he did.
He scored to send his team to a second consecutive final. They would come up second best eventually, but Ronaldo made a habit of getting to the big stage.
#6 Second goal against Juventus in the 2017 UEFA Champions League Final
He's had plenty of memorable nights and has stepped up on plenty of big nights of his teams. Having opened the scoring on that night in Cardiff, Real Madrid conceded soon after. They still appeared to be in control though and would take the lead again through Casemiro.
Ronaldo's second goal was in many ways the clincher for Real Madrid. It more or less sealed the title for them and frustrated the Italian Giants who struggled to create chances and had Juan Cuadrado sent off in the 83rd minute.
With the cushion afforded to them, Real Madrid were able to cruise through to win. Once again Ronaldo was displaying his uncanny ability to show up when the team needs him the most. By no means the most spectacular goal but one that spoke about Ronaldo's intuition and movement to get into a position to score.
#5 Header for Manchester United v Chelsea in the 2008 Champions League final
It was a night that's remembered for one of Ronaldo's lapses on the big stage as he failed to convert from the spot in the shootout against Chelsea in Moscow. The Red Devils were spared heartbreak by misses from Chelsea captain John Terry and Nicholas Anelka.
Yet that night began as it so often does now with Cristiano Ronaldo rising to head the ball expertly into the back of the net. But this moment probably has a special place in his heart for being the first time in his career that he had won the Champions League. He would go on to win four more and could possibly extend that tally, but that night in Moscow will always be special. He rose at the far post to put his team ahead in his first-ever Champions League final and would do so many times more having laid this foundation.
#4 Fizzing header against Wales in the Euro 2016 semi-finals
Cristiano Ronaldo's inability to win a major title with Portugal may have haunted him had it not been for their success at Euro 2016. Although Ronaldo famously went off injured in the final, he had plenty to contribute in the tournament.
His performance against Wales in the Euro 2016 semi-finals was particularly memorable as they dismantled the Welsh with Ronaldo scoring and assisting Nani in a space of a few minutes.
After a drawn-out exchange between the two and Gareth Bale's exquisite run from near the halfway line culminating in a shot at Rui Patricio's goal, Ronaldo put Portuguese minds at ease with a signature header. He hung mid-air in his inimitable manner and got on the end of a driven cross to put Portugal ahead and firmly on the path to the final.
#3 Freekick against Portsmouth in January 2008
The moment you read this, you're already picturing Cristiano Ronaldo setting up the ball and lining up in his typical stance, puffing out his cheeks and eyes focused on the target. What followed is tattooed in the minds of most people who were just beginning to realise that they were watching a generational talent.
It was the moment that Ronaldo declared to the world that he could take on the outrageous and achieve it. He scored both goals in the 2-0 win against Portsmouth en route to 31 goals that season. It was the first time he broke the 30 goals a season barrier and there would be no looking back for the superstar.
He's since performed on bigger stages and achieved many more things, but the 2007-08 season was the making of him, and that freekick was the rallying cry for a stellar career.
#2 2012 El Clasico winner that virtually sealed La Liga
Real Madrid sealed that title in a 3-0 win against Athletic Bilbao, in which Ronaldo was almost inevitably on the scoresheet. Yet, this was undoubtedly the moment of the season and an iconic few seconds that will always be associated with the Portuguese superstar.
Real Madrid had gone ahead early in the tie but had just conceded to Barcelona, who it seemed were growing into the game. Just as the tide seemed to be turning in favour of the Catalan club at Camp Nou, Ronaldo latched on to Mesut Ozil's pass and finished the move in typical fashion. His celebration was what would immortalise the importance of this goal as he went on to tell the Barcelona faithful, "Calma, calma que estoy aqui", meaning "Calm down, I am here".
This goal signified the breaking of Pep Guardiola's hegemonic Barcelona and it would just about clinch Ronaldo's first La Liga title.
1. Bicycle kick for Real Madrid v Juventus: UEFA Champions League Quarter-Finals First Leg
There are goals on this list that are perhaps more important, but this goal personifies the audacity, calibre and sheer will of Cristiano Ronaldo. He's a man of the occasion and his biggest stage is arguably the Champions League where he continues to raise the bar.
On a night when Juventus were expected to at least get something out of Real Madrid at home, they were left stunned by a 33-year-old man twisting in mid-air to make near perfect connection with an overhead kick to arrow the ball into the net. It was by no means an easy feat, but the time and the place made the goal stand out that much more.
It caused the Juventus faithful to rise and give Ronaldo an ovation that could've been a big deciding factor in his decision to move to the Italian giants in the summer.
