‘Perfection’ – Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Mesut Ozil and Kaka combined to finish pure goal
Football is known as the beautiful game – and Cristiano Ronaldo and Real Madrid showed exactly why in 2011. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner was just one of many elite players at the Bernabeu during Jose Mourinho‘s spell in charge from 2010-2013. Ronaldo’s strike against Ajax in 2011 will go down as one of the greatest-ever counter-attack goals Los Blancos scooped LaLiga and Copa del Rey glory during the three-year period, but somehow failed to lift the Champions League. While they went on to win Europe’s premier competition four times in the five years following Mourinho’s exit, question marks still remain as to how Real didn’t win it under the Special One’s tutelage. In what was regarded as the second Galacticos era, Real broke the world transfer record twice in 2009 to bring Ronaldo and Kaka to the club. Madrid boasted a world class player in every position, starting with Iker Casillas in goal, Sergio Ramos, Raphael Varane, Pepe and Marcelo in defence, Xabi Alonso and Sami Khedira in midfield and one of the best attacks ever assembled. In a Champions League group stage victory over Ajax in September 2011, a front four consisted of Karim Benzema leading the line, with Ronaldo, Mesut Ozil and Kaka in behind. And all four players combined brilliantly in a free-flowing move that is considered to be amongst the best counter-attacking goals in history. Real broke the deadlock in mesmerising fashion in the 25th minute, which would have had even a few travelling Ajax fans on their feet applauding. In total, there were just seven passes and a mere 11 touches from Real going from their own box to finding the back of the net. It all stemmed from Ramos, who started the match at right-back, who had possession of the ball outside of Madrid’s own penalty area. He found the feet of Ozil, who in turn slipped a through ball in for Ronaldo on the halfway-line. Ramos started off the move with a pass into OzilX: @championsleague A quick exchange from Ozil, Ronaldo and Kaka got the fans inside the Bernabeu on their feet Benzema then whipped in a low first-time cross after being found by OzilX: @championsleague Ronaldo was on hand to fire the ball home to cap off an incredible team moveX: @championsleague A rapid one-two with Kaka then followed, with Ronaldo then finding the run of a sprinting Ozil with another delicious first-time pass. He then slightly delayed his pass into Benzema to keep Jan Vertonghen at bay, with the Frenchman then firing in an instant low cross into the box. And just as he has done throughout his career, it was Ronaldo who came storming in to guide his effort into the bottom right corner from around ten yards out. Ronaldo instantly roared in delight before falling to his knees, as Ozil and Benzema celebrated together over their part in what has become a famous goal. The former Juventus striker then turned towards the jubilant duo as they took in the applause from a rapturous Bernabeu crowd, who were in awe and disbelief at the blistering counter-attack. It’s a goal that continues to do the rounds on social media, and as one X user said, it was: “Perfection.” Ronaldo celebrated on his knees after opening the scoring against AjaxX: @championsleague View Tweet: https://twitter.com/Cristiano?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw Another fan waxing lyrical over the goal posted: “This is the best counter goal ever. Everything is exquisite. 10/10.” A third simply stated: “This Madrid squad was royalty.” Kaka and Benzema added further strikes in Real’s eventual 3-0 win against Ajax, with Mourinho’s men going on to reach the semi-finals of the competition. They eventually bowed out against Bayern Munich – losing on penalties with both Ronaldo and Kaka missing from 12 yards in the shootout defeat. Still, Ronaldo’s goal against Ajax – one of his record 140 Champions League strikes – lives long in the memory of football purists. It was also his eighth goal of the 2011/12 season, with the Portugal skipper going on to bang in 60 goals in all competitions. Ronaldo scored 140 Champions League goals during his time at Real, United and Juventus Cristiano Ronaldo stats at Real Madrid by season 2009-10 – 35 games, 33 goals, 10 assists 2010-11 – 54 games, 53 goals, 18 assists 2011-12 – 55 games, 60 goals, 15 assists 2012-13 – 55 games, 55 goals, 13 assists 2013-14 – 47 games, 51 goals, 17 assists 2014-15 – 54 games, 61 goals, 23 assists 2015-16 – 48 games, 51 goals, 15 assists 2016-17 – 46 games, 42 goals, 12 assists 2017-18 – 44 games, 44 goals, 8 assists Total: 383 games, 450 goals, 131 assists The campaign ultimately proved to be a hugely successful one for the ex-Manchester United star, as his 46 LaLiga goals saw him scoop his first Spanish top-flight title. And the goals have not slowed down as the player approaches the ripe old age
Football is known as the beautiful game – and Cristiano Ronaldo and Real Madrid showed exactly why in 2011.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner was just one of many elite players at the Bernabeu during Jose Mourinho‘s spell in charge from 2010-2013.
Los Blancos scooped LaLiga and Copa del Rey glory during the three-year period, but somehow failed to lift the Champions League.
While they went on to win Europe’s premier competition four times in the five years following Mourinho’s exit, question marks still remain as to how Real didn’t win it under the Special One’s tutelage.
In what was regarded as the second Galacticos era, Real broke the world transfer record twice in 2009 to bring Ronaldo and Kaka to the club.
Madrid boasted a world class player in every position, starting with Iker Casillas in goal, Sergio Ramos, Raphael Varane, Pepe and Marcelo in defence, Xabi Alonso and Sami Khedira in midfield and one of the best attacks ever assembled.
In a Champions League group stage victory over Ajax in September 2011, a front four consisted of Karim Benzema leading the line, with Ronaldo, Mesut Ozil and Kaka in behind.
And all four players combined brilliantly in a free-flowing move that is considered to be amongst the best counter-attacking goals in history.
Real broke the deadlock in mesmerising fashion in the 25th minute, which would have had even a few travelling Ajax fans on their feet applauding.
In total, there were just seven passes and a mere 11 touches from Real going from their own box to finding the back of the net.
It all stemmed from Ramos, who started the match at right-back, who had possession of the ball outside of Madrid’s own penalty area.
He found the feet of Ozil, who in turn slipped a through ball in for Ronaldo on the halfway-line.
A rapid one-two with Kaka then followed, with Ronaldo then finding the run of a sprinting Ozil with another delicious first-time pass.
He then slightly delayed his pass into Benzema to keep Jan Vertonghen at bay, with the Frenchman then firing in an instant low cross into the box.
And just as he has done throughout his career, it was Ronaldo who came storming in to guide his effort into the bottom right corner from around ten yards out.
Ronaldo instantly roared in delight before falling to his knees, as Ozil and Benzema celebrated together over their part in what has become a famous goal.
The former Juventus striker then turned towards the jubilant duo as they took in the applause from a rapturous Bernabeu crowd, who were in awe and disbelief at the blistering counter-attack.
It’s a goal that continues to do the rounds on social media, and as one X user said, it was: “Perfection.”
Another fan waxing lyrical over the goal posted: “This is the best counter goal ever. Everything is exquisite. 10/10.”
A third simply stated: “This Madrid squad was royalty.”
Kaka and Benzema added further strikes in Real’s eventual 3-0 win against Ajax, with Mourinho’s men going on to reach the semi-finals of the competition.
They eventually bowed out against Bayern Munich – losing on penalties with both Ronaldo and Kaka missing from 12 yards in the shootout defeat.
Still, Ronaldo’s goal against Ajax – one of his record 140 Champions League strikes – lives long in the memory of football purists.
It was also his eighth goal of the 2011/12 season, with the Portugal skipper going on to bang in 60 goals in all competitions.
Cristiano Ronaldo stats at Real Madrid by season
- 2009-10 – 35 games, 33 goals, 10 assists
- 2010-11 – 54 games, 53 goals, 18 assists
- 2011-12 – 55 games, 60 goals, 15 assists
- 2012-13 – 55 games, 55 goals, 13 assists
- 2013-14 – 47 games, 51 goals, 17 assists
- 2014-15 – 54 games, 61 goals, 23 assists
- 2015-16 – 48 games, 51 goals, 15 assists
- 2016-17 – 46 games, 42 goals, 12 assists
- 2017-18 – 44 games, 44 goals, 8 assists
- Total: 383 games, 450 goals, 131 assists
The campaign ultimately proved to be a hugely successful one for the ex-Manchester United star, as his 46 LaLiga goals saw him scoop his first Spanish top-flight title.
And the goals have not slowed down as the player approaches the ripe old age of 40.
Now plying his trade in Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo recently brought up 100 goal contributions for Al Nassr on just his 92nd outing.
The veteran forward – the highest scoring footballer of all time – revealed last year of his ambition to reach 1,000 career goals.
Now just 81 goals shy of reaching that unprecedented tally, you wouldn’t put it past him of hitting his target – despite his battle with Father Time.
While he may not be blessed with the blistering pace he showed against Ajax in 2011, one thing is for certain, he remains just as deadly as ever in front of goal.
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