A Living Football Legend: See 7 records Cristiano Ronaldo broke during the Champions League final victory in Cardiff
It was a scintillating performance on Saturday night during the UEFA 2016/2017 Champions League Final between Italian Seria A Champions Juventus Fc and La Liga Champions Real Madrid.
Juvents FC went into the finals unbeaten all through the competition and had not conceded more than three goals all through the competition.
Real Madrid with the two goals from Cristiano Ronaldo were all out to humiliate the Italian giants by putting 4 goals past one of the world’s best goal keepers Gigi Buffon. The loss to Real Madrid made it the sixth time the Italian side will lose a Champions League Final; and probably the last time the Italian goalkeeper Gigi Buffon will ever have the hopes of competing for the title at age 39. A trophy which he has never won.
The win against Juventus saw Cristiano Ronaldo’s name written into just about every football record book there is.
More goals in Europe’s major leagues than anyone else in history. The first (and thus far only) man to score 100 goals in the Champions League. The Guinness World Record for most liked person on Facebook.
However, with his two-goal, match winning performance in the 2017 Champions League final between Real Madrid and Juventus, the Portuguese superstar has set a whole new set of landmarks.
Here’s a look at the variety of records the former Manchester United man broke with his display in Cardiff…
Became the first man to score in three Champions League finals
After his goal for Man United in 2008’s showpiece and his strike in last year’s big game, CR7 opening the scoring against Juve meant he had hit the back of the net in his third Champions League final.
Messi has scored in two (2009 and 2011).
Beat Lionel Messi to finish top scorer in this season’s Champions League
Before the game, Messi was the top scorer in the 2016/17 Champions League, with 11 goals to his name in this campaign. Ronaldo was second on the list, with 10.
So, the Real Madrid man’s brace didn’t just go a long way to winning the trophy for his side – it saw him nick this season’s top goalscorer award off his rival/inspiration/nemesis.
He has now been top scorer in more Champions League campaigns than anyone else
Ronaldo had been tied with Lionel Messi on five season top scorer awards. After clinching this season’s title, he is now the only man to have finished top of the goalscoring list on six different occasions.
Scored the 600th goal of his career (for club and country combined)
Scored Real Madrid’s 500th goal
Oh, and while we’re at it, his opener saw Real Madrid become the first side to reach 500 Champions League goals.
Became only the 20th player in history to win four or more European Cups
A win in Cardiff gave Ronaldo his third European Cup with Real, to add to the one he won with Manchester United in 2008.
