Cristiano Ronaldo’s ‘best goal’ for Man United against Porto was so good he got it on DVD and it created the Puskas Award

With a chorus of boos ringing round the Estadio Do Dragao, Cristiano Ronaldo produced a masterclass in silencing a hostile crowd.

Ronaldo made his return to Portugal in a Champions League quarter-final tie Manchester United needed to win or a get an unlikely score draw of at least 3-3 at Porto’s home in 2009.

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Safe to say he made an impact…

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He scored one of his best goals in his phenomenal career on a toasty night in Porto in April 2009

Being a former Sporting Lisbon player, he had to deal with all sorts of jeers in what was a high-pressure match anyway.

But just six minutes into it, Ronaldo showed exactly why he was set to be one of the all-time greats with an explosive strike into the top corner.

Clocked at a speed of 64.2mph, Ronaldo received the ball from Anderson just shy of 40 yards from goal, 39.6 yards to be precise.

He took one touch before firing it exquisitely beyond Helton to put United 1-0 up and 3-2 up in the tie.

Champions League

Ronaldo gets the ball in a seemingly non-threatening position

Champions League

He had a punt from 39.6 yards out

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And it flew into the net, giving Helton no chance

It was a goal worthy of winning any match and that’s what happened as that’s all that separated the two sides in the Portuguese capital.

Football icon Ruud Gullit labelled it the ‘perfect strike’, while Ronaldo was so proud of it he made a DVD.

He also said it was the best goal he had ever scored, although a stunning overhead kick for Real Madrid against Juventus in April 2018 has eclipsed that in his eyes.

Meanwhile, former Man United boss Sir Alex Ferguson described it as ‘magnificent’ and ‘sensational’.

He added: “I would have to go a long way back in the memory bank to find another one like that!”

The memorable goal had a legacy too. Not only can it be easily found on social media, the creation of the Puskas Award followed months later. Ronaldo’s goal against Porto of course won the inaugural prize.

He returns to Porto’s home as Juventus take on the Portuguese champions in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 clash on Wednesday.

Juve are very much favourites so there’s every chance Ronaldo will make more happy memories at the Estadio Do Dragao.

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Porto players won’t want to similar scenes on Wednesday night

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