Ronaldo delivers Real beauty and a record

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Real superstar gets a standing ovation for his spectacular goal versus Juventus in Turin

TURIN: Cristiano Ronaldo scored a record-breaking goal and a stunning overhead bicycle kick to bury Juventus 3-0 on Tuesday in a rematch of last year’s Champions League final. Ronaldo became the first player to score in 10 consecutive Champions League games when he scored his first, but it was his second goal that everybody will remember.

“One of the most beautiful goals in the history of football,” said Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane. It took him only two minutes and 47 seconds to open the scoring in Turin, flicking in Isco’s cross.

But the jeers of the home fans turned to applause and earned him a standing ovation after 64 minutes when Dani Carvajal crossed back into the area where Ronaldo connected with an outrageous bicycle kick.

Ronaldo responded by putting his hand to his heart and giving a slight bow of gratitude to the crowd. “The applause for Cristiano says it all,” said Carvajal. “Cristiano does things sometimes that only he can do,” said Zidane. “It can be said that it is one of the most beautiful goals in the history of football. “It’s maybe not as beautiful as mine in Glasgow,” joked Zidane of his goal against Bayer Leverkusen in 2002 that gave Real their ninth Champions League title.

Not only was the world of football talking about Ronaldo’s goal, NBA star Lebron James published a photo on Instagram of the action and world MotOGP champion Marc Marquez, a Barcelona fan, tweeted: “Bufff what a great goal for CR7!!!”.

“Cristiano Ronaldo can now leave the Earth and start playing against the Martians, he has done everything here!” tweeted the Real Madrid defender Alvaro Arbeloa.

AFP “I had been looking to score a goal like that for a long time,” Ronaldo said. 6

REUTERS Ronaldo lines up his overhead kick. 1

AFP Juve’s De Sciglio and Asamoah are clueless. 3