3 best Cristiano Ronaldo performances of 2018

2018 turned out to be another good year for the Portugal International who initially led Real Madrid to yet another Champions League triumph and later decided to move to Italy to face a new challenge.

His move to Juventus shocked many of his fans and it came out of the blue. Juventus paid around 100 million euros which made him the expensive 30-year-old plus player in football and it was also more than what was paid by Real Madrid to sign him from Manchester United.

Ronaldo ended the 2017/18 season as the leading goal scorer in Champions League and eventually won his fifth Champions League title. In total, he has scored 43 goals in all competitions at the club level in 2018 and also racked up 14 assists.

It has barely been four months since his arrival at Juventus and he has already set several records during this short period. Without much ado, let us take a quick look at three of his splendid displays in 2018.

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#3 Real Madrid 6-3 Girona, 19 March 2018

This was one of those nights when everything Ronaldo touched turned into goals. He scored four and assisted one as the high-scoring game ended 6-3 in favor of Los Blancos.

Cristiano opened the scoring in 11th minute with a neat finish with his left foot and netted his second of the night with another left-foot finish which struck the crossbar and found its way in. He contributed to the home side's third goal by teeing up the ball for Lucas Vazquez who placed the ball into the right bottom corner.

Ronaldo completed his hat-trick in the 64th minute by tapping in the rebound off Benzema's shot with his right foot. The ex-Madrid forward is known for his hungriness for goals and without switching off after his hat-trick, he scored his fourth goal of the game with a calm finish with his right foot in the dying minutes of the game.

#2 Juventus 0-3 Real Madrid, 3 April 2018

Juventus v Real Madrid - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final Leg One

This game would be etched forever in the minds of Ronaldo fans due to the spectacular bicycle kick their hero scored, which was even applauded by the home fans in the arena.

Real Madrid were off to a flying start in the crucial first leg of the semi-final and it was Ronaldo again who opened the scoring for the away side. He showed great movement inside the box and once the ball came into his feet, he placed it at the left corner of the net beyond a helpless Buffon.

It was in the 64th minute of the game when Ronaldo produced the moment of brilliance. Dani Carvajal crossed the ball into the Juventus box and before anyone could react, the 33-year old went for the acrobatic bicycle kick and timed it to perfection as the ball flew into the net, beating Buffon in goal.

The whole stadium cheered for the wonder-goal and this moment could well have played some part in the transfer which happened a couple of months later.

#1 Portugal 3-3 Spain, 15 June 2018

Portugal v Spain: Group B - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia

In one of the thrilling games of the World cup, Cristiano Ronaldo put on a remarkable performance by scoring a hat-trick to earn his national side a point against the mighty Spaniards.

He opened the scoring for Portugal by winning a penalty in the 4th minute and successfully converting it from the spot. After Diego Costa equalized for Spain, Ronaldo put his side in front once again by striking from outside the box which was squandered by de Gea in goal.

However second-half goals from Diego Costa and Nacho put the defending champions in front and the game was heading towards the final whistle with the scoreline reading 2-3.

One final opportunity was provided to Portugal in the form of a freekick which was from a striking distance to goal.

Cometh the Hour, Cometh the Man! Cristiano Ronaldo stepped up and curled the ball into the top corner to score one of the finest and crucial hat-tricks in his career.