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Football world erupts over 'savage' Ronaldo act

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Champions League masterclass cemented his status as one of the all-time greats but it’s something he did after the match that fans can’t stop talking about.

Ronaldo’s incredible second leg hat-trick against Atletico Madrid almost singlehandedly dragged Juventus into the quarter-finals of the competition.

The Italian champions had it all to do after trailing 2-0 from the first leg in the Spanish capital.

That performance from Diego Simeone’s men prompted the Atletico Madrid coach’s now infamous “cajones” celebration, which subsequently went viral on social media.

The coach’s passionate outburst was meant to highlight how brave he thought his side played in the first leg victory.

However, it came back to haunt Simeone spectacularly in the second leg as Ronaldo took the opportunity to celebrate his own match-winning heroics.

Taking great delight in imitating his opposition coach, Ronaldo marked the momentous occasion with his own version of Simeone’s celebration.

The savage mockery lit up social media as fans hailed Ronaldo’s brilliance.

Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri hailed Ronaldo, saying it was “impossible to think” the star had just one Champions League goal this season before Tuesday’s heroics.

The Portuguese star had scored just once in his six games prior in the competition this season, a run that surprised even Allegri.

“It’s impossible to think Cristiano with only one goal scored in this Champions League,” he told a news conference.

“He scored because he played well in the box and his team-mates worked well in the gameplay.

Ronaldo was at his brilliant best for Juventus. Pic: Getty
Ronaldo was at his brilliant best for Juventus. Pic: Getty

“A great match with an outstanding crowd supporting us and the players gave all Italian football fans a real show. That’s the most important thing.”

Ronaldo’s arrival had seemingly made Juve one of the favourites in the Champions League, which the Serie A champions last won in 1996.

But Allegri played down expectations, saying his side were just one of several contenders.

“Juventus is not the favourite to win the Champions League. We are one of the contenders and the trophy is one of our goals for this season, as usual,” he said.

“If we were eliminated it would have not been a failure. Juventus every year must play the Champions League and today, I repeat, we get to the next stage. Because if you don’t pass the round you don’t have any chance to win. It is very simple.

“You don’t need to graduate at Harvard to understand it – if you pass the group stage [you] have more chances, if not you play Europa League or watch the others from your sofa.”