‘Is he finished? No way’ – Cristiano Ronaldo runs from own half to score 700th career club goal after coming off the bench for Manchester United again

10/09/2022 03:25 PM

Cristiano Ronaldo has finally made it 700 career goals in club football, and achieved the milestone in some style with a fine strike against Everton. The Portuguese icon was made to wait for his big moment, but sent a message to his doubters and critics with a classic Ronaldo goal – and a celebration to match. Ronaldo played it cool as he achieved a huge career landmarkgetty Many were wondering when this moment would come with the 37-year-old falling down the pecking order under Erik ten Hag this season. Having missed United’s last four Premier League games, including being left of the bench against Man City in the Manchester United derby, he had the chance to score his landmark goal against Omonia Nikosia in the Europa League, only for the superstar to draw a blank. It was suggested achieving such a huge career milestone in a game in Europe’s second-tier competition against Cypriot minnows would have been a slight on Ronaldo’s celebrated career, and so it was fitting that he enjoyed the moment in the Premier League – although ahead of the game there were still questions over his role. The Portugual great again started on the bench on Sunday night against Everton, with Anthony Martial picked ahead of him to leave the line despite the frenchman picking up an injury in the warm-up. He lasted just 29 minutes before Ten Hag replaced him with Ronaldo, and CR7 wasted little time in sending a message to his manager and those doubting where he’s still got it. Ronaldo rolled back the years with a stunning goal, picking up the ball near the half-way line and darting away towards Jordan Pickford’s goal, outstripping the Toffees’ backpedalling back-four and giving the England goalkeeper no chance with a strong finish with his left foot. Ronaldo celebrated in front of his Man United teammates in a message to his doubtersgetty It was Ronaldo’s first Premier League goal in open play since April of last year, and one he clearly enjoyed as he posed in a sleeping celebration alongside new teammate Antony – who earlier scored United’s equaliser to cancel out Alex Iwobi’s early opener. The travelling United faithful were then heard serenading their iconic marksman, and while thousands of Red Devils would be wishing they could have witnessed the occasion in person at Old Trafford, at least he was able to do it on the biggest stage in the Premier League. It’s a stage he deserves. Micky Gray was on commentary duty for talkSPORT, and he said live from Goodison Park: “It’s just incredible. “United got on the front foot and when Ronaldo got the ball and started to drive towards the box, that’s what we want to see more of from Manchester United. “It’s a super finish from a man who we’ve been questioning, ‘Is he finished?’ Not from that he’s not! “700 club career goals, absolutely incredible. As if there was ever any doubt, the landmark has cemented Ronaldo’s place as one of football’s all-time greatsgetty “And the celebration, it’s like he was saying to people, ‘I might have been sleeping but I’ve arrived again in a Manchester United shirt’. “It was a brilliant finish. I have to be totally honest, he hasn’t done too much since coming off the bench, but this is what Ronaldo does. “As soon as he got the ball and saw the goal, his eyes lit up. He’s run from his own half and you just knew what he had in his mind.  “He burst away with his pace, got in the one-on-one position, kept it on his left foot and drove it in at Jordan Pickford’s near post – he gave him no chance.”