Real Madrid’s Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo (L) celebrates after shooting a penalty kick to score a goal during the UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg football match between Real Madrid CF and Juventus FC at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on April 11, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / CURTO DE LA TORRE
Cristiano Ronaldo’s stunning overhead bicycle kick for Real Madrid against current club Juventus has been voted UEFA’s goal of the season.
The former Real Madrid striker beat competition from 11 nominees for the award in honor of his goal in last season’s Champions League quarter-final first leg in Turin.
“Thanks to everyone who voted for me. Will never forget that moment, specially the reaction of the fans in the stadium,” the 33-year-old Portuguese superstar said on Twitter, using the hashtag #SpecialMoment.
Real Madrid was already leading against the Italian champions thanks to Ronaldo’s opener after just two minutes when he acrobatically blasted in Dani Carvajal’s cross on 64 minutes.
Ronaldo said it was “the best goal” of his career and it helped Real to a 3-0 win on the night and moved them a step closer to an eventual quarter-final victory over Juve. The Spanish club went on to win the competition for the third consecutive season.
The striker said the crowd’s reaction — a standing ovation from the Juventus fans — played a part in his decision to move to Turin in a 100 million-euro deal last month.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner is the all-time top scorer in the Champions League with 120 goals.