Ranking 5 best goals by Cristiano Ronaldo in finals

Real Madrid's 2018 UCL win proved to be Ronaldo's final title with them
Real Madrid's 2018 UCL win proved to be Ronaldo's final title with them

#3 UEFA Champions League final against Chelsea (2008)

Ronaldo got a dream transfer to Real Madrid, one year later
Ronaldo got a dream transfer to Real Madrid, one year later

Prior to his record-shattering €94m move to Real Madrid, Cristiano Ronaldo had already started making waves in England. In his most prolific season with Manchester United, the Portuguese legend found the back of the net a total of 42 times. He capped off the 2007/08 season in emphatic fashion.

The Red Devils met Chelsea in that year's Champions League final for the ultimate showdown. The two English teams had duked it out all season in the Premier League, with the Blues finishing in second place, just two points off United.

On 21 May 2008, Cristiano Ronaldo ensured with a towering header that Chelsea would have to settle for the consolation prize yet again.

His 26th-minute opener was the only goal scored in regulation time by a Manchester United player in that game. Even though Cristiano Ronaldo misfired from the spot in the eventual penalty shootout, the Reds went on to win the tournament.

This proved to be his first and only Champions League title with United before he moved to Real Madrid a year later in search of greatness.


#2 Copa del Rey final against Barcelona (2011)

Real Madrid won their 18th Copa del Rey title in 2011
Real Madrid won their 18th Copa del Rey title in 2011

Having arrived at the Santiago Bernabeu ahead of the 09/10 season, Cristiano Ronaldo had to wait a full two years before getting his hands on a title with Real Madrid. His mini trophy drought ended with a triumph against Barcelona in the 2011 Copa del Rey final, where Ronaldo proved to be the difference.

After 90 goal-less minutes, an additional period of 30 minutes was set in motion by the match official. In the 103rd minute, Angel Di Maria put in a delicate cross, soaring over the Barcelona defenders.

Cristiano Ronaldo rose to the occasion, quite literally in this instance, and headed the ball powerfully out of the reach of Victor Valdes and into the top corner of the net.

The Portuguese international's precisive strike turned out to be the winner, aiding Real Madrid to their only title of the season. However, after two years in the wilderness, Cristiano Ronaldo had finally tasted some silverware.

As the footballing world has witnessed, his hunger for accolades has only shown signs of exponential growth in subsequent seasons.


#1 Supercopa de España against Barcelona (2017)

FC Barcelona v Real Madrid - Supercopa de España (2017): 1st Leg
FC Barcelona v Real Madrid - Supercopa de España (2017): 1st Leg

The crown jewel of them all, Cristiano Ronaldo's goal against bitter rivals Barcelona in the 2017 Spanish Super Cup, was a perfect blend of unmatched skill and controversy: an ideal Ronaldo moment.

Doing what they do best, Real Madrid launched a quick counterattack as soon as the Catalans lost possession. With Barcelona's high line pitifully exposed, Isco launched a wide ball into Cristiano Ronaldo, who only had Gerard Pique to beat.

However, the Portuguese goal-machine made a slight cut inside from the corner of the box and hurled in an outrageous curler, drilling the ball straight into the top-right corner.

Even though that audacious finish was a cracker in its own being, Cristiano Ronaldo was not done yet. He celebrated by taking his shirt off, flexing his chiseled physique during the process.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner went a step further by showing off the back of his shirt to an enraged Camp Nou, a clear dig at Messi's celebration at the Santiago Bernabeu earlier that year.

Cristiano Ronaldo's 80th-minute strike broke the deadlock between the two teams as Real Madrid went onto win the tie 1-3 (5-1 over the course of two legs). A legendary rivalry indeed.

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Edited by Rohit Mishra
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