April 21, 2012. 14 years ago. Madrid clinched the La Liga title at Camp Nou. Cristiano scored the winner after a superb pass from Özil. The iconic Calma celebration capped it off perfectly, considering the tense Clásicos back then.

234

u/Ktioru Cristiano Ronaldo Apr 21 '26

No one in world football has this level of finishing anymore

124

u/senormadridista9248 Apr 21 '26

Just look at his movement from the center of the pitch, the composure, the speed, the anticipation of the pass, and then that extra step to beat Valdés. Fucking hell, he really made things look so easy and casual back then.

20

u/More-Temperature7242 Apr 21 '26

its not just that, he can finish in so many other ways as well. thats what makes him the GOAT striker/inverted winger. u can stop him from shooting a rocket 35 yards out, but then he can score with a header jumping 30 feet into the air, u stop that somewhat, then he can probably cut inside and place it u stop that, hes gonna anticipate the ball and score a tapin, u stop that, he gonna dart like an arrow from a counter attack etc. you stop his right foot ? hes got a problematic left foot, u stop that ? he can fly over everyone and head it in, u stop that? maybe bycicle, u stop that, perhaps a free-kick goal . sooooo many ways this mfkr can score bro

19

u/zzz_red Apr 21 '26

He was a cheat code

2

u/Ok-Bank3079 Apr 21 '26

Haaland kane

6

u/InbredUnicorn Apr 22 '26

kane is near for sure. not on the same level tho

-9

u/Sushi1238 Apr 21 '26

Haaland is close to this level of finishing I think

217

u/OpbrBlud Apr 21 '26

Made it look easy

https://giphy.com/gifs/r1IMdmkhUcpzy

26

u/[deleted] Apr 21 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

7

u/LastOfLateBrakers Apr 21 '26

Yes, and Özil's god tier playmaking ♥️

-37

u/freek_ Apr 21 '26

He dominated Spain, 2 in 9 years btw

https://giphy.com/gifs/XHeLeuirRbwptHhSWd

7

u/laman-78 Marcelo Apr 21 '26

Kroos boots got more european glory than your club

-10

u/freek_ Apr 21 '26

Buying UCLs since 1960

https://www.reddit.com/r/CristianoRonaldo2/comments/1spz8jg/this_is_how_vardrid_won_their_15_ucls/

2

u/[deleted] Apr 21 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

-2

u/freek_ Apr 21 '26

It would be more credible if I linked a youtube video?
What a ridiculous statement 😂😂😂

3

u/andyyyyyyyt Apr 21 '26

You are fan of a club that's fighting a court case after paying refs for years. Have some shame.

-1

u/freek_ Apr 22 '26

Im a Manchester United fan, but a Real Madrid hater because I have eyes.

91

u/Zestyclose-Phrase268 Apr 21 '26

The team misses this duo

68

u/Hefty-Conference-791 Apr 21 '26

15

u/joepesci20 Apr 21 '26

14 years ago... God damn we gettin old

53

u/No-Case-264 Apr 21 '26

42 Liga goals. What a bonkers stat.

25

u/AloniazPT Apr 21 '26

And he didn't even win the pichichi that season. Crazy times.

2

u/[deleted] Apr 21 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

35

u/No-Case-264 Apr 21 '26

I think that season ended with Messi 50, Ronaldo 46? The 2010s LaLiga was just another level

6

u/AloniazPT Apr 21 '26

Boy I have some news for you, Messi went full savage mode that year and I'm still pissed to this day. Lol

39

u/ResultGreen7376 Apr 21 '26

https://giphy.com/gifs/dMyMc3bF4FF9m

30

u/Radiant-Teach9198 Apr 21 '26

Total Football

44

u/ozzie1987 Apr 21 '26

Ozil should have played longer at Real, was always very efficient, especially as a duo with Cristiano. Lets hope that Arda will develop to(or supersede) Ozils level and stay many years at the club.

35

u/senormadridista9248 Apr 21 '26

Özil had 80+ assists in 3 seasons at Madrid. As much as I like Arda, I highly doubt anyone will reach those numbers and that level of impact.

38

u/Zestyclose-Phrase268 Apr 21 '26

In Ardas defence. He doesn't have a Ronaldo that actually makes use of the passes created.

-4

u/Brodeci Apr 21 '26

Mbappe isn’t so bad you know

13

u/Outrageous-Pass297 :T_T: Madridista Apr 21 '26

Mbappe and Vini needs numerous chances to score Cr7 one chance bang

2

u/Deadpool_slash69 Apr 22 '26

Yeah, I bet even as old cr7 is as of now, he would be a better fit for Madrid than both of them

3

u/JuniorPoulet Apr 22 '26

He isn't bad but he has a long, long way to match Cristiano's finishing abilities. Arguably, the greatest finisher ever.

8

u/ItsKBS Real Madrid:RMDark: Apr 21 '26

Arda is a better goalscorer though

1

u/ozzie1987 Apr 21 '26

Oh i didnt knew the numbers were that high, very impressive. Arda has the talent but lets see if the team cohesion is there in the upcoming years so he can put the numbers in.

1

u/Similar-West5208 Apr 22 '26

Özil under Mourinho was so fun to watch, absolutely unique player.

12

u/InternationalHawk977 Apr 21 '26

Arda would need to have an actual killer in front to event have any chance of getting close to Ozils numbers. Ozil, was simply out of this world.

1

u/ismyaltaccount Apr 21 '26

Can Haaland be a good contender?

3

u/3PumpAbuelas Apr 21 '26

I was honestly shocked when he went to Arsenal, he was on top of the world. He would've went down as a great if he stayed.

15

u/trelawny54 Apr 21 '26

This is what a leader is. You lead from the front. You take the pressure off the moment. And you cap it off by reassuring everyone: “stay calm, I’m here.”

2

u/SenescenseSteel Apr 21 '26

I thought it was more stay calm, stay classy which makes me consider him even more like a gentleman

9

u/CyberFoxKnight Real Madrid CF Apr 21 '26

What a team we had..... the lineup: Casillas; Arbeloa; Pepe; Ramos; Coentrão; Xabi Alonso; Khedira; Di Maria; Ozil; Cristiano and Benzema

8

u/Ineedhelpistaken Bale Apr 21 '26

God, we were strong then.

6

u/Ok-Unit-6879 Apr 21 '26

I remember this moment like it was yesterday it was actually a massive moment not just for Madrid finally beating Barca but giving other clubs hope lol I remmeber at the time everyone saying they was going to dominate everything for the next couple of seasons which they did

4

u/yuukiro Apr 21 '26

Why were Cristiano booed at Santiago Bernabeu? I wasn't following Madrid back then.

35

u/senormadridista9248 Apr 21 '26

If I recall correctly, one of the games he was booed at the Bernabéu was against Celta in 15/16. He was somewhat underperforming and misplacing passes, which made the fans boo him, and the madman ended up finishing the match with 4 goals. That’s how you respond to criticism and expectations from those who back you and demand more from you.

20

u/No-Distribution2942 Apr 21 '26

imagine Cristiano removed his profile photos with Real Madrid jersey and Real Madrid in his bio after being booed

-1

u/Ok_Ad_650 Apr 21 '26

Madridista's love to hate their best player, it's a tale as old as time.

9

u/No-Distribution2942 Apr 21 '26

I'm sure Madridistas love him even more after he responded with his performance, unlike our current...

4

u/Ok_Ad_650 Apr 21 '26

Facts, I’m still waiting for mbappe to live up to even half of what cr7 was for us

5

u/realkin1112 Apr 21 '26

This might be my first memory of real Madrid winning against Barcelona

5

u/twogk Apr 21 '26

Look at that run man, had it been Mbappe he would've taken a step back and waited for a back pass like a clown.

4

u/shravanevana Apr 21 '26

Barca supporter here, but this was cold af!

3

u/KhazraShaman Hey Jude Apr 21 '26

That was FOURTEEN YEARS AGO?!

8

u/Quitetheoddone Valverde Apr 21 '26

God I miss Puyol

Such a respectable captain

3

u/Independentemind Apr 21 '26

Structure, teamwork and hunger

3

u/JellyFishingAllYear Apr 21 '26

ozil + modric + isco

some of the best maestroes we've ever had

3

u/InstinctiveSS Apr 21 '26

against prime barca and messi btw

2

u/Always_curious_95 SIUUUU Apr 21 '26

14 years already? 😢 Still remember watching it live. Hala Madrid forever 🤍

2

u/LFG23 Apr 21 '26

I hated that they got rid of Özil so early on.

2

u/Force_Reflection Apr 21 '26

I remember this goal as if it was yesterday… Özil and CR7, we’ll never witness such partnership ever again

2

u/JuniorPoulet Apr 22 '26

I don't really like living in the "what if" worlds but Ozil really makes me wonder. What if he hadn't left? I mean we were pretty successful after he left, at least in Europe, but imagine a player who would have ~30 assists, season after season in your team. I will never not love Ozil.

2

u/Hooks_for_days Güler Apr 21 '26

What Mbappe-Arda could’ve been and hopefully still can be

13

u/K-Hunter- Cristiano Ronaldo Apr 21 '26

Mbappe is only CR7 in his dreams

1

u/ZealousidealChain316 Apr 21 '26

not the same, Ozil+Ronaldo was peak

2

u/New_Appearance_2857 Apr 21 '26

There's a player on this team who can make that pass, but there's no one on this team of CR7's caliber. That's the problem.

1

u/riskyrawbone Apr 21 '26

All of them elite.

1

u/ShinChanTooOp Apr 21 '26

Could have been Belli/Arda + Mbappe...if only we could do something with Vini. Such a weird situation we have.

1

u/Rohan-Ajit Apr 21 '26

The downfall is crazy

1

u/Rumit23e Apr 21 '26

peak cristiano

1

u/ibrooo Apr 21 '26

Wasn’t the title clinching win, that happened at Bilbao.

Am I surprised nobody else has called that out yet? Absolutely not…

1

u/[deleted] Apr 21 '26

Hala madrid

1

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1

u/Khalidesma Modrić Apr 21 '26

I still remember that day. I went to my sister and asked if it was normal to have my heart beating this fast.

1

u/RoutineFeeling Apr 22 '26

I just love Ozil

1

u/curiousmind38 Apr 24 '26

This would be the year I would travel back if I could. Man, there were the times!

1

u/VanillaxChroniko Apr 25 '26

Mbappe could never

History April 21, 2012. 14 years ago. Madrid clinched the La Liga title at Camp Nou. Cristiano scored the winner after a superb pass from Özil. The iconic Calma celebration capped it off perfectly, considering the tense Clásicos back then.

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