His style of play has evolved over the years
Cristiano Ronaldo has changed a lot since he arrived at Manchester United. That skinny teenager who rocked up at Old Trafford in the summer of 2003 sporting the worst jumper known to man has transformed into the world's greatest goalscorer over the past 15 years.
It's been a gradual process. Year by year, the Portuguese forward became more focussed on scoring goals, more single-minded in his approach, and gradually become less fussed about unnecessary tricks and flicks. He's also become the king of clutch moments. Every time Real Madrid need a goal in the dying moments of a game, he - or Sergio Ramos - always steps up. It's no coincidence that his focus on goalscoring has coincided with Real Madrid winning back to back Champions Leagues.
His namesake, Ronaldo 'O Fenômeno', who led Brazil to World Cup victory in 2002, has spoken recently of Cristiano's evolution and doesn't hold back with the praise.
"It's amazing what he's doing, he plays fewer balls but he decides the game better than before," he told
AS.
"He has a lot of resources, when the game gets ugly he appears", he continued.
Just one of the numerous times Cristiano has scored an important goal for Real Madrid in the Champions League knockout stages came recently when he executed one of the cleanest bicycle kicks ever seen against Juventus.
The Brazilian Ronaldo admitted
"this last bicycle kick was something incredible ... I have not tried it!"
Real Madrid welcome Bayern Munich to the Bernabeu tonight in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final, carrying a 2-1 lead after beating Bayern at the Allianz.
