NUMBERS DON’T LIE
JUVENTUS..1 R MADRID..4
CRISTIANO RONALDO fired out a warning to the rest of Europe with two Champions League winning goals against Juventus.
And after getting his hands on the trophy for a fourth time the Real Madrid superstar then had a pop at anyone who dares to doubt him. Clearly his age, 32, is the only number that doesn’t concern him.
Because as Ronaldo continues to defy the odds and break every record going in the game – it’s being obsessed with digits that keeps him motivated. His double against the Italians in Cardiff means he has now scored a monumental 600 career goals for club and country.
In this season’s Champions League alone he rattled in 12 in 13 games.
And the big victory at the Principality Stadium means he’s the first man in modern-day history to score in three CL finals.
The bad news for the rest is that the Portuguese sensation has no plans to let up.
When he walked into the media tent in Wales after the Final on Saturday night he still had a spring in his step.
After collecting his UEFA man-ofthe-match award from his mentor Sir Alex Ferguson, Ronaldo revealed that he feels as fit and as fresh as he has ever done.
His physical condition is that of a 25-year-old. And mentally he insists he’s as driven as ever to go on achieving those ridiculous numbers.
Incredibly, he has had to speak up at times this season after being whistled at by some Real Madrid supporters who didn’t feel his performances were up to scratch.
But after picking up the 20th trophy of a glory-laden 15-year career, Ronaldo couldn’t help himself.
And it was exactly what defenders and opposition coaches around the globe wouldn’t have wanted to hear.
He said: “Is there a limit to what I can achieve? Well, I’ll go to wherever my body allows me to go in my career.
“It’s not the moment to speak about criticism or some whistling I’ve had from Real Madrid fans. I’ve spoken about it already.
“The most important thing is I’ve had an amazing year again. Myself and my team-mates have had an incredible season, winning the double. Those people don’t have the words to criticise. Because the numbers don’t lie. For myself I don’t need to speak because again my numbers don’t lie.
“I’ve won trophies again and this is one of the best moments of my career.
“It seems like I have the opportunity to say that every year.
“But it’s true. Last year was amazing and this one has been too.
“Now I have a few days off to rest before the qualifier with Portugal and then the Confederations Cup in Russia.
“It has been a long season but I’m motivated and I’m happy. I’m in a good place right now.
“My age is just a number. I feel like a young boy.”
And he looks it as well. He may well be into his 30s but Ronaldo proved in Cardiff he’s still a man at the peak of his powers.
He’d barely had a kick in the Final for 20 minutes before he exploded on to the scene with the opening goal.
He was always going to get the ball back after playing in Dani Carvajal and when he did he calmly stroked it past Gigi Buffon.
It was a sublime finish and got Real off to a flyer.
But credit to Max Allegri’s side, they responded brilliantly and neither Ronaldo or his team-mates would have begrudged Juve a leveller before half-time.
Mario Mandzukic’s spectacular overhead kick will live long in the memory – despite his side’s capitulation after the break.
That’s when Ronaldo and Co really took over.
He was helped by the likes of Brazilian full-back Marcelo, playmaker Isco and Madrid’s orchestrator Luka Modric.
Casemiro’s deflected long-range shot put Zinedine Zidane’s side in front but typically it was Ronaldo who scored the killer goal.
A third was always going to be the one that buried Juventus and Buffon’s dreams of lifting the trophy.
And he provided it with a clever near-post run and clinical finish from Modric’s super cross.
The Italian champions had nothing left after that. The Real fans were able to chant “Ole” with every pass before kid Marco Asensio put the game to bed in injury time.
Ronaldo and Zidane havr completed an unforgettable campaign with La Liga and Champions League double.
And before leaving Cardiff with his son by his side he claimed this could be the most content he has ever felt in his career.
He said: “I’m so happy right now, this season has been fantastic. We’ve won the title and the Champions League – and we have a great team. “As individual players we’ve done really well and as a team we’ve been excellent.
“I prepared myself well to come good in thefinal phase of La Liga and in Europe – and thankfully I’ve managed to score important goals.
“It was a balanced game in the first half. Juventus were playing good football and created some opportunities.
“But in the second half we were impressive. Our midfield was terrific, our defence were higher up and when the goals came it felt natural. That was the best second-half display we’ve produced this season. Juventus are a team who had only lost three goals in Europe before the Final.
“To score four against them is fantastic.
“I couldn’t be happier.”
I’m in a good place. My age is just a number, I feel like a young boy RONALDO