‘You run out of things to say about him’

Wednesday 12 October 2022 09:45

The superlatives are surely running out for Cristiano Ronaldo, after our no.7 hit 700 club career goals with his winner against Everton on Sunday.

The 37-year-old got off the mark for the domestic campaign with his left-footed finish past Jordan Pickford, after latching on to Casemiro’s pinpoint through ball.

Cristiano’s strike against Everton earned United an important 2-1 win on the road in the Premier League, and, on this week’s episode of The Debate, the panellists heaped praise on him.

The Athletic’s Laurie Whitwell and ESPN’s Rob Dawson joined Liam Bradford, along with former United duo Danny Simpson and Danny Webber, and waxed lyrical about Ronaldo’s remarkable achievement.

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“Unbelievable,” said Webber of the number of goals Cristiano has now accumulated. “I think most people, if you add up the goals they scored in primary school, high school and in their careers, they’re still not hitting 700!

“It’s brilliant, and you run out of things to say about him, because it is such a brilliant achievement.”

Simpson added: “People don’t even play 700 games, never mind scored 700 goals!

“I was just happy for him because he’s been on the bench, and he’s not used to it. To come on and score the winner, we can’t say any more about him.

“I’m really pleased that he came on and showed some pace and it was a great finish.”

Ronaldo’s effort against Everton came after last week’s Europa League fixture away to Omonia Nicosia, when luck appeared to desert the Portugal international in front of goal.

“Lesser people would have crumbled after the Thursday game and been nervous coming onto the pitch,” said Webber. “But it doesn’t even bother him. He’s done it that many times that it’s just a reflex to him. He knows how to score goals.”

Dawson agreed with both Webber and Simpson, explaining that Ronaldo’s psyche is what sets him apart from other footballers, allowing him to hit such emphatic numbers.

“It’s just that elite mentality,” he said. “You go through a game on Thursday [against Omonia] and have so many chances when you think ‘it’s just not going to happen for me today,’ and then take that one chance in a massive pressure moment at Everton.

Ronaldo reacts to 700th club goal

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The striker posted on social media after hitting yet another career landmark, on Sunday against Everton.

“The way he finished it just shows the type of character he’s got, the mentality and what type of player he is.

“I’m not really sure you can get your head round that number to be honest. People see that number, 700, and I don’t think people really appreciate how big a number that is.

“Like Danny [Simpson] says, most pros don’t play 700 games, it’s unbelievable.”

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