Cristiano Ronaldo Sets Goal Record In UEFA’s Champions League Group Stage
Crisitano Ronaldo was back in action on Tuesday night and he set a record with two goals in Real Madrid’s match against FC Coppenhagen to take the win 2-0.
With this result, Real Madrid finished its Champions League campaign comfortably on top of their group B, with 16 out of 18 possible points.
Even though Ronaldo scored twice, to finish with nine goals during the Spanish team’s run, he missed a penalty kick, but it didn’t matter in the end.
However, his ninth goal sets a new record for the group stage of play in the Champions League. Several players held the previous record of eight goals, but no one had been able to breach the elusive number until Cristiano Ronaldo did on Tuesday.
Among those with eight goals are Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Paris Saint-Germain, 2013-14), Ruud van Nistelrooy (Manchester United, 2004-05), Filippo Inzaghi (AC Milan, 2002-03),and Hernan Crespo (Inter Milan, 2002-03).
The record breaking night comes as Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the three top contenders for FIFA’s Ballon d’Or, which will be awarded to the best player of the year in January. He faces Lionel Messi and Franck Ribery.
For the past four years, Cristiano Ronaldo has finished second to Messi, which has frustrated the Portuguese captain, who is considered as one of the best footballers to play the game.
Ronaldo is adding yet another accolade to an otherwise very successful year, after leading Portugal to qualify for the 2014 World Cup and scoring 51 goals in 41 matches.
Many believe he is the decided favorite for what he has accomplished in 2013, as Messi has been sidelined with an injury since November.
Cristiano Ronaldo missed a couple of games for Real Madrid, as well, but coach Carlo Ancelotti declared him fit to play on Tuesday’s game and he did not disappoint.
In recent weeks, the Portuguese captain has seen his odds against Messi narrow in his quest to win the Ballon d’Or, making many wonder if the Argentine will again beat Cristiano Ronaldo.
Experts believe the best player this year has been Cristiano Ronaldo, like it or not, he has the credentials on paper, and should be named the best player for 2013.
