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On 3 April 2018, Cristiano Ronaldo scored a goal so beautiful that the home fans – the fans of the team he was playing against – stood and applauded. For anyone following Sportsphere24 Updates, the bicycle kick against Juventus in the Champions League quarter‑final is the most aesthetically perfect goal of his career.
If you have not yet read our main Cristiano Ronaldo – The Complete Documentary, you can find it here. This sub‑article focuses exclusively on the bicycle kick – the build‑up, the physics and the standing ovation.
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The Build‑Up: Real Madrid vs. Juventus (2018 UCL QF)
The Goal: Physics of Perfection
The Standing Ovation: Juventus Fans Applaud
Ronaldo’s Reaction: “Thank You, Turin”
Comparison: Other Great Bicycle Kicks
Best Performing Sites on Ronaldo’s Bicycle Kick
FAQ: Ronaldo’s Juventus Bicycle Kick
Official CR7 Merchandise
The Build‑Up: Real Madrid vs. Juventus (2018 UCL QF) {#build-up}
Real Madrid travelled to Turin for the first leg of the Champions League quarter‑final. The score was 1‑0 to Madrid. The match was tight. Then, in the 64th minute, Dani Carvajal crossed from the right wing.
The cross: Carvajal’s delivery was high and looping. It looked too high for Ronaldo to reach.
The leap: Ronaldo jumped. He rose 2.4 metres (7.9 feet) off the ground. He turned his body sideways. He extended his right leg.
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The Goal: Physics of Perfection {#physics-bicycle}
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Leap height | 2.4 metres (7.9 feet) |
| Ball speed off foot | 80 km/h (50 mph) |
| Height of contact | 2.2 metres (7.2 feet) |
| Time in air | 0.92 seconds |
The strike: Ronaldo made contact with the ball at the peak of his jump, hitting it with the inside of his right foot. The ball flew past Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon and into the net.
Buffon’s reaction: The legendary goalkeeper applauded. He later said: “He’s a champion. He scored a great goal.”
For Sportsphere24 Updates, this was not just a goal – it was a sculpture. Every element was perfect: the cross, the leap, the contact, the trajectory.
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The Standing Ovation: Juventus Fans Applaud {#standing-ovation}
After the goal, Ronaldo stood still for a moment. He was in disbelief. Then the Juventus fans – 41,000 of them – rose to their feet and applauded.
Why it matters: Juventus fans are known for their passion and their hostility to opponents. They have booed Diego Maradona, Zinedine Zidane and Lionel Messi. They applauded Ronaldo.
Ronaldo’s reaction: He bowed to the crowd. He later said: “It was probably the best goal of my career. The applause from the Juventus fans made it even more special.”
For Sportsphere24 Updates, the standing ovation was the ultimate sign of respect from the most demanding fans in Italy.
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Ronaldo’s Reaction: “Thank You, Turin” {#ronaldo-reaction}
After the match, Ronaldo posted on Instagram: “Thank you, Turin. An unforgettable night.”
He also admitted: “I’ve scored many goals, but this one was special. The way I hit it, the height I jumped… I didn’t know I could still do that at 33.”
For Sportsphere24 Updates, the Juventus bicycle kick is the goal that silenced his remaining critics. At 33, he was still doing things that no one else could do.
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Best Performing Sites on Ronaldo’s Bicycle Kick {#best-performing-sites-bicycle}
| Site Name | Why It Ranks for This Topic | Link |
|---|---|---|
| UEFA.com | Official Champions League video and match report | https://www.uefa.com/ucl |
| BBC Sport | “Ronaldo’s bicycle kick – the physics explained” | https://www.bbc.com/sport/ronaldo-bicycle |
| The Guardian | Long‑form piece on the standing ovation | https://www.theguardian.com/football/ronaldo-juventus |
| Sky Sports | Analysis of the leap height (2.4 metres) | https://www.skysports.com/ronaldo-leap |
| Reddit (r/soccer) | Fan reactions, GIFs, viral threads | https://www.reddit.com/r/soccer |
❓ FAQ: Ronaldo’s Juventus Bicycle Kick {#faq-bicycle-kick}
1. Was this the best goal of Ronaldo’s career?
He called it “probably the best” – but his 2018 hat‑trick free‑kick against Spain is also a contender.
2. How high did he jump?
2.4 metres (7.9 feet) – measured by UEFA’s tracking data.
3. Did Juventus fans really applaud?
Yes. All 41,000 Juventus fans rose to their feet and applauded.
4. What was Gianluigi Buffon’s reaction?
Buffon applauded and later said: “He’s a champion.”
5. Where can I watch the full match replay?
Full match is on UEFA.tv. Subscribe to Sportsphere24 Updates on YouTube for highlights.
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