The question is, Has Cristiano Ronaldo scored two free kick goals in a game? After all, the Real Madrid superstar has only scored 55 goals from direct free kicks in his career. However, that gap is slowly closing. The Portuguese striker netted two free kick goals in the Tottenham Hotspur game on Saturday, the first since his departure from Real Madrid in 2018.
Ronaldo scored two free kicks in a single game
During his time with Manchester United, Ronaldo is known for his ability to score from free kicks, and his recent record of hitting two from one game is a testament to his quality. He scored two from a free kick against Aston Villa in 2009, the first coming from an indirect free kick in the first half. Ronaldo had a team of Villa players all vying for the ball, but somehow managed to pick his spot and hit the ball beyond Brad Friedel.
Since his World Cup debut in 2010, Cristiano Ronaldo has not reached the high levels he reached with free kicks, with the exception of a couple of good seasons. However, his drop in free-kicks has been sharp in recent seasons. He has scored one goal from a free-kick in a major tournament, and the last time he was on the pitch it was against Hungary.
Despite the decline in his free-kick goals, the Portuguese is still among the best in the world. Since joining Real Madrid, he has missed out on eight of his nine attempts, and has a goal from a free kick in only one game. In the past three seasons, Messi has scored four from a free kick while Ronaldo has converted just one. In addition, the Spanish international is more likely to score from a free-kick than his rival.
Lionel Messi has not scored two free kicks in a single game
In Ligue 1 last month, Barcelona lost 3-2 to Valencia and Lionel Messi opened the scoring from the penalty spot. Until that game, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner had only scored one free kick in a game. He now has two. And this isn’t an isolated case. It is a trend that Messi has followed throughout his career.
This season, Messi has improved his free-kicks and has scored twice in as many games. He is one of the best free kick takers in world soccer. His goals against Uruguay were particularly impressive, considering he missed most of the game because of a knee injury. Now, the Argentina star has scored two free kicks in a game for the first time in his career.
Barcelona opened up a three-point advantage in LaLiga after an impressive 4-0 win over Espanyol. Sevilla drew 1-1, but Valencia equalised in stoppage time. Barcelona were dominant at the start of the second half and moved to the top of the table with a 4-0 win. In the first half, Messi set up Ousmane Dembele for Barcelona’s first goal and then provided an assist for Luis Suarez to score their second goal. In the second half, he came on to score a second goal, a stunning free kick from 30 yards.
The Argentine star has already won six Ballon d’Or awards and is the highest-paid player in the world. His seven league goals also make him the leading scorer. Messi also won the Pichichi trophy, the highest individual award for La Liga. With his incredible goals, he has become the top goalscorer in history. In 2010, he became the first footballer to win the Pichichi trophy and the second player to reach $1 billion in career earnings. Messi began playing football at an early age and has since adapted the position of the classic number 10.
Ronaldo is no longer a free-kick specialist
Maurizio Sarri has refused to interfere with Cristiano Ronaldo’s attempts to score from free-kicks, despite the fact that the Portuguese superstar has taken just 28 from free-kicks this season. While the number is impressive, he has failed to score in a competitive match. Indeed, 19 of his attempts have gone straight into the wall. He wasted two more attempts against Lokomotiv Moscow. Instead of wasting his chances of scoring, Juventus should be letting him rest instead.
After several seasons of consistent free-kick performance, Cristiano Ronaldo has not reached the free-kick heights he did when he first arrived at Real Madrid. He has scored a number of goals from these situations, but the quality of his free-kicks has suffered. However, there are some seasons when he has scored some amazing free-kicks. In the 2017-18 season, Ronaldo scored a free-kick that he called “Tomahawk”. The ball was at more than 100 km/h.
As a Chelsea player, Ronaldo has not been a free-kick specialist for the Blues this season. However, his partnership with Bruno Fernandes means that the midfielder has shared responsibility for free-kicks with the Portuguese striker. While he has only scored two goals from 35 free-kicks for Manchester United this season, he has scored eight times from free-kicks for Sporting Lisbon. Even the right-footed player Alex Telles has been linked with a move to Chelsea.
Ronaldo’s free-kick record
Cristiano Ronaldo is a football legend and a record-breaker, but his record of converting free-kicks in a single game is in tatters. After attempting 43 free-kicks in 98 appearances for Juventus, he has failed to score on any of them. Only Lionel Messi has taken more free-kicks this season, with eight to his name. Cristiano Ronaldo’s last free-kick goal came against Gremio in December 2017.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s free-kicks are notoriously difficult to save, with the technique he has trademarked being a knuckle-ball. One such goal came against Stoke City in November 2008, when the Portuguese ace produced a dead-ball masterclass. He hit the ball from 30 yards out and deceived Stoke City goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen, who was rooted to the spot.
Before joining Barcelona in 2013, Messi had scored just nine free-kick goals. The striker averaged fourteen attempts per season in La Liga before joining the club. In his last five seasons at the club, he has netted seven free-kick goals, from 136 attempts. However, Ronaldo’s free-kick goals are still higher than Messi’s, even though he has missed more free-kicks.
With so many free-kicks scored during his Manchester United career, Lionel Messi has surpassed Cristiano Ronaldo’s record. The Barcelona star has scored 58 free-kick goals. However, the number of free-kick goals scored in one game is still much lower than Ronaldo’s. Messi has scored eight free-kick goals in the current season.
Ronaldo’s ‘knuckleball’ technique inspires a new generation of footballers
Cristiano Ronaldo has inspired a new generation of footballers with his ‘knuckleball’ free-kick technique. The technique is simple, but takes practice to master. Despite its simplicity, the technique has a unique flair that is hard to imitate. It has been hailed as one of the best free-kick techniques in football.
To replicate the Ronaldo effect, players must first master a knuckleball free-kick. Most soccer coaches recommend using laces. The technique requires that the kicking foot connects with the ball cleanly along the bone from the big toe. After this, the leg should rise to assist the ball dip. Once the ball is in place, Ronaldo then ‘preens’ like a peacock.
The ‘knuckleball’ is a technique originating from the Brazilian footballer Juninho. A modern version of the technique has been developed by Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, Didier Drogba, and other stars. It is a technique that can lead to a goal, and Ronaldo has been hailed as the best player ever to use it.
A new generation of young players has emulated the style of Cristiano Ronaldo by mimicking his style and playing style. The ‘knuckleball’ technique is so unique that it has posed a challenge to goalkeepers to parry it. The technique has led to a new generation of footballers, including Rashford, who has scored ninety-seven goals in two74 appearances for Manchester United.
Ronaldo’s lack of quality bordered on selfishness
When things don’t go Ronaldo’s way, the Portuguese superstar is prone to pouting. But his lack of quality bordered on selfishness in one recent game when he was down as the fifth man in line to take a penalty against Newcastle United. Instead of applauding the travelling crowd after full-time, he sulked. Fortunately for Ronaldo, he wasn’t the only one in tears.
Cristiano’s poor attitude to the game has also been exposed by former teammate Gary Neville, who was ridiculed by punters for refusing to back Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and who publicly scolded the Portuguese player in a Sky Sports studio. Neville remarked that he would be better served by being a member of the team than running away at full time. The former England captain did not even acknowledge the travelling fans, despite being a part of the Manchester United team.
Even so, Ronaldo’s motivation to win is immense. Despite being a selfish individual, he has an iron will to succeed and would have triumphed with any coach. Luckily for him, he had two strong-minded coaches who carefully watched his development. The lack of quality bordered on selfishness in the last two years, but despite these shortcomings, Ronaldo’s quality and passion were still enough to help him achieve his goals.
