Still, they write him off.
Still, he delivers.
Last night at the Santiago Beraneu, Cristiano Ronaldo wrote another chapter in a legend that must be stretching into multiple volumes at this stage.
The Real Madrid forward scored the opener against Atletico Madrid in his side’s Champions League semi final first leg. It was his 101st Champions League goal and many noted that Atletico themselves have only registered 100 to date.
Ronaldo then went ahead and fired home goals number 102 and 103. Atletico have some catching up to do, and then some.
Koké reminded us all of Barcelona reversing a 4-0 deficit against PSG earlier in the tournament but Real are unlikely to remove their boot from Atletico’s throat in the return leg. Not with Ronaldo, Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, Casimero and more in top form.
Following his second strike of the night, Ronaldo once again urged the Real fans to get behind both him and the side. Don’t whistle; applaud. That was the simple message.
At the full-time whistle, he remained on the pitch for interviews and was collared for more once he headed down the tunnel. Asked by BT Sport about the critics and fans that, for the past few seasons, have predicted his downfall and who have written him off, Ronaldo’s response was perfect.
His words should strike fear into not only Atletico but every side that stands in his way in the future.
Shrugging, taking it in, laughing, Ronaldo declared:
“I always give my answers on the pitch. The numbers speak for themselves.
“Of course it is normal when the people criticise but it is not by coincidence that, for the last seven or eight years, my performance levels have been always very high.
“I work hard all the time; I dedicate myself. I’m at the best club in the world and I work with the best players in the world, too, so it’s more easy for me to score goals.
“My motivation is to help the team, to help Real Madrid achieve the titles and try my best all the time.”
Asked what is next target after surpassing the 400-goal mark for Real Madrid, Ronaldo responded, “I don’t know. Another 400 maybe.”
We wouldn’t put it past the bloke.
