What makes Cristiano Ronaldo so special? See what he does before a goal to confuse defenders

Cristiano Ronaldo is the greatest goalscorer in football history, thanks to his incredible versatility. He can finish with his right and left foot, with his head, he has an amazing leap and great acceleration. But his goals are no fluke, see how the 36-year-old striker works his way into chances.

Cristiano Ronaldo broke another incredible record on Wednesday. He became the top scorer in national team history, leapfrogging Ali Daei, who netted 109 goals in the Iran jersey. The Portuguese scored twice against Ireland to take his tally to 111.

It’s just the way he got to those goals that is astonishing. And it actually marks his career. The incredible hunger for goals, the anticipation and the will to go the extra mile. Several of Ronaldo’s goals are scored by a tap-in or a light tap into an empty net.

But that’s just the finish, it’s never as easy as it looks. This is a position the Portuguese needs to get into, if everyone could do it, he’d have as many goals as he does.

Against Ireland, Ronaldo equalised in the 89th minute to make it 1-1, breaking Daei’s record. However, he didn’t celebrate at all, he immediately ran to the half and wanted to add another goal. In the 96th minute, he pounced on a centre from Joao Maria, but all that was preceded by his incredible work in space.

It’s the details, however, that subsequently allow Ronaldo to score so many goals. Ronaldo tracks the ball all the time, then runs behind the defender to be in the so-called “blind side”, a point where the defender cannot see him. He pushes it away with his hand so that he cannot get in front of it.

The ball doesn’t go into the box, but Ronaldo doesn’t dawdle and immediately prepares for the next move. Again, he cleverly gets behind the defender where he can’t see him and jumps on the centre at just the right moment to head in. These may be details, but if Ronaldo hadn’t made these moves and stayed in front of the defender, he wouldn’t have scored.

Ronaldo’s work with space and handling of chances should be played by all young footballers who want to score goals. You won’t find a better teacher in the football world.

Source: Caño Football | Twitter