When Cristiano Ronaldo scored against Everton on Sunday night, it’s fair to say Manchester United fans around the world all expected to see his famous ‘Siu!’ celebration at Goodison Park.
After replacing the injured Anthony Martial, our iconic no.7 showed his enduring quality when he executed a superb left-footed finish into the bottom corner of Jordan Pickford’s net.
It proved to be our winner on Merseyside and, furthermore, it was also Ronaldo’s 700th goal in club football. He is only the second player in the game’s history to achieve that incredible landmark (after Josef Bican) and the moment was befitting of his trademark celebration – but it wasn’t what we saw.
Instead, there was a hug for Marcus Rashford and then a fresh celebration, as Cristiano and new team-mate Antony stood upright with their heads back, eyes closed, and fingers crossed in front of their chests.
We can now reveal that Ronaldo’s celebration was a self-deprecating in-joke with his fellow team-mates, highlighting the strong bonds among the players in Erik ten Hag’s squad.
Of course, Cristiano is renowned for looking after himself and ensuring he is always in the best possible condition, which naturally involves hours of hard work on the training pitch and in the gym.
It also includes resting at the right moments and ensuring he has enough sleep to aid his recovery: it has previously been reported that Ronaldo naps several times a day!
CR7’s celebration at Everton was amusingly a nod to the position in which he sleeps when travelling with the squad, which hasn’t gone unnoticed by his team-mates who are all eager to learn from him.
RESPECT FROM THE DRESSING ROOM
The likes of Bruno Fernandes, Harry Maguire and Marcus Rashford were all quick to congratulate Ronaldo on scoring his 700th club goal on Sunday night.
Such is his standing, the squad presented a special ‘700’ shirt and balloon display at Carrington on Monday morning, before posing with Cristiano for a group photo.
ONTO THE NEXT ONE
The United great isn’t finished there, of course.
He is determined to keep scoring and hopes to enhance his tally on Thursday evening when United host Omonia in the Europa League.
Our next Premier League match is also at Old Trafford, against in-form Newcastle on Sunday afternoon.
