Memorable moments: Ronaldo’s fantastic long range goal against Osasuna! After it, he invented a celebration with his thigh

Cristiano Ronaldo has scored some beautiful goals in his career. However, the one against Osasuna from a huge distance ranks among the most beautiful. Moreover, after it, he performed a quadriceps celebration for the first time.

It was March 2012. Real Madrid were playing Osasuna in La Liga. José Mourinho then brought a star-studded team with Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Xabi Alonso or the attacking trio Cristiano Ronaldo – Karim Benzema – Gonzalo Higuaín – Mesut Özil.

Los Blancos dominated Spain in the then 2011/12 season. José Mourinho finally managed to find a recipe to break the Catalan domination and Guardiola’s tiki-taka.

At El Sadar stadium, Real went into the lead very quickly. In the seventh minute, Karim Benzema scored. The visitors waited 30 minutes for another goal. And it was one of the most memorable and beautiful of Cristiano Ronaldo’s career.

The famous Portuguese handled a pass from Xabi Alonso about halfway through the attacking half. He worked the ball, moved forward and, to everyone’s astonishment, took a shot.

From that far out? It can’t end in a goal. But Ronaldo was a monster that season. His long range shot sailed into the net and Osasuna goalkeeper Andrés Fernández glided after the ball in vain.

This goal in Pamplona is memorable not only because of the distance and the beauty of the goal. Ronaldo actually rolled up his shorts and showed off his toned quadriceps in celebration. This celebration, too, has since become legendary.

Three minutes later, Real Madrid went into a three-goal lead when Higuaín broke through. The home side reduced the deficit after the change of sides, but the Merengues won 5-1 thanks to further goals from Ronaldo and Higuaín. They finished the season with 100 points and 121 goals scored.

Source: Youtube, La Liga