On February 8th Icons held an exclusive signing session with Cristiano Ronaldo. This was our sixth meeting with the Real Madrid superstar, who been signing for Icons since way back in 2005 when he was first establishing himself at Manchester United. Our long-standing relationship means we are the ONLY company he agrees to sign for, and you can see his full range of signed products here. To mark Ronaldo's return to Icons, we bring you five of his best ever goals.
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vs Porto
This stunning 40-yard wonder goal in Manchester United’s 2008-09 Champions League quarter-final second leg against Porto proved decisive. United needed a positive result in Porto having drawn 2-2 in the first leg at Old Trafford, and Ronaldo’s moment of devastating spontaneity sent United through to the semi-finals 3-2 on aggregate. “It’s the best goal I’ve ever scored,” beamed Ronaldo. “I’ve just seen the replay and I didn’t realise it was 40 yards out and I hit it at 65mph – wow!”
vs Arsenal (1.06 mins)
Just 20 days later came an equally sensational strike against Arsenal in the semi-final of the same competition. With United already a goal up at the Emirates, Ronaldo wins a free-kick just under 40 yards from goal on the inside-right channel. After measuring his run-up in trademark fashion, he launches an unstoppable rocket past Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia to send United on their way to the 2008-09 Champions League final. See our photo of this goal, personally signed by Ronaldo, here.
vs Ajax
One criticism often levelled at Ronaldo is that he is selfish, a trait that can frustrate fans and teammates alike. But this perfect counter-attacking goal for Real Madrid in this season’s Champions League is testament to his outstanding teamwork abilities and combination play. Ronaldo is the architect here, combining with Mesut Ozil, Kaka and Karim Benzema at incredible speed before sweeping home the finish himself.
vs Barcelona
Ronaldo is a remarkably complete forward, and combined with the speed, power and box of tricks, is fantastic aerial ability. This winning goal for Real Madrid against Barcelona in the 2010/11 Copa del Rey final is the best exponent of his heading prowess, and yet another example of him delivering a crucial goal in a big game. In the first half of extra-time, Ronaldo meets Ángel di María's cross with a stunning bullet header into the far corner. Perhaps not his greatest goal in a technical sense, but certainly one of his most important.
vs Spain
Ok, so this 'goal' didn't actually stand, but we couldn't resist including it nonetheless. In Portugal's 4-0 mauling of Spain in a friendly in November 2010, Ronaldo looked to have scored a superb individual goal, but as his sublime chipped finish was about to drop over the line, his former Man United teammate Nani headed it in at point-blank range from an offside position. Ronaldo, furious, throws his captain's armband to the ground in anguish. A sheepish Nani later apologised. " After having time to think about it I apologised to Ronaldo," said Nani. "It was a great piece of play and I shouldn't have ruined it."
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See more from our Five of the Best series:
Five of the Best: Free-Kicks
Five of the Best: Penalties
Five of the Best: Goalie Goals
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