Cristiano Ronaldo‘s heading ability is the most impressive aspect of the Real Madrid star’s game, according to Bayern Munich forward Thomas Muller.
Muller’s Bayern were eliminated by Madrid at this Champions League season’s quarter-final stage courtesy of a perfect hat-trick from Ronaldo.
The Portuguese, 32, subsequently became the first player in Champions League history to score three times in consecutive games during the knock-out stages against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday night.
“Basically we all know that he is extraordinary, in his appearance and with his sporting performances. So he’s already a phenomenon,” Muller said on Wednesday.
“You cannot achieve such numbers of goals for so many years and so often without having to work hard.”
Ronaldo has scored 12 headed goals during the last six Champions League seasons, four more than his closest rival Robert Lewandowski. Muller, club teammate of the Polish runner-up, feels the aerial threat carried by Ronaldo is an overlooked facet of his skill set.
“He has enormous physical and technical qualities, of course,” Muller continued, “but what impresses me the most are his heading skills. This is sometimes forgotten a bit. He has a fine technique, but he also has mad heading skills.”
Atleti failed to score at the Bernabeu, meaning Real take a three-goal advantage into their away leg. Should they reach the final and triumph over either Juventus or Monaco, the current holders will become the first team to retain the Champions League since the competition rebranded in 1992.
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