Cristiano Ronaldo: From the boy in Red to the man in White

And then it ended 1-1, amongst the 80,000-plus crowd at that stupendous Santiago Bernabeu. The expectation and anticipation were surpassed by the action and emotion of those 90 minutes. Ron the man had played against the team where he had walked in as a precocious teenager. From being a dreamer to living a dream, Cristiano Ronaldo had gone through life’s circles.

It had been a pleasure, a privilege to watch him play for the red side of Manchester, but in all sincerity it was a nervy 90 minutes to watch him play against United. He looked dangerous every time he touched the ball. His physical stature, a mere indication of his improvement over the years; the lanky frame replaced by muscles chiselled to perfection. The way he tried to bring others into play manifested the responsibility he carried on those ever-able, unwary shoulders of his.

The goal, when it came, was not at all surprising, and the manner in which he took it just world class.

A perfect cross from Di Maria was met by a majestic leap from Ronaldo, placing the ball in the corner of the goal, giving the indefatigable De Gea no chance. The goal was a reminder of the one he scored for United against the now deposed European Champions in that famous final in the Russian capital.

His performance did contain his trademark runs along the byline, but what shone out was the way he tried to combine with the likes of Di Maria and Mesut Ozil. He had his moments of mis-control and misplaced passes. But then, he accepted his faults with a smile and came back stronger. The left-footed shot on the rebound after his free-kick was blocked by a certain Robin van Persie, and the second free-kick from 40 yards almost cost United dear. And this time it was evident that he had tried to win it for the team, with the team, and not on his own, unlike the disappointing final of Rome.

The restrain he showed while celebrating his goal encompassed the enormous mutual respect he shares with the fans of Manchester United. It was a wonderful gesture from an incredible player.

He could have broken their hearts though, if not for the brilliance of the young Phil Jones. He can still do so, but the appreciation and adulation will never end from the Red side, even if the Los Blancos fans may occasionally despise him.

The hugs and the greetings he shared with his mentor and teacher, Sir Alex, and the pleasantries he exchanged with his former teammates gave this tie an unusual emotional flavor, which will be even more in the second leg when he plays at Old Trafford.

He might seem arrogant, but he surely knows how to make friends and maintain a friendship. From what I saw in him, the energetic, impulsive, boyish Ronaldo had gradually transformed into a responsible, calmer man; a believer in the collective strength, fighting off his obstacles, forging ahead everytime he was pulled down.