17.12.2021 » Ronaldo vs Atletico Madrid: Funny revenge videos back into fashion
Cristiano Ronaldo cannot evade Atletico Madrid as Manchester United are up against the Spaniards in the UEFA Champions League last-16 round. Although mybettingsites.co.uk and other betting bookmakers are picking the La Liga team as the betting favourites, it hasn't stopped United fans (and Ronaldo fans, which is why we are here) to poke fun at Atletico. In the wake of Monday's Champions League draw, video clips involving Ronaldo's mocking of Los Rojiblancos and their long-serving manager Diego Simeone went viral again. During his trophy-laden spell at Real Madrid, the 36-year-old tormented Atletico at will, racking up 22 goals and nine assists in 31 appearances against them. However, Cristiano Ronaldo failed to escape Los Colchoneros despite leaving Madrid for Juventus in summer 2018, as his Italian employers met Diego Simeone's side in the 2018/19 UEFA Champions League last-16.
Cristiano Ronaldo - Magical hat-trick against Atletico Madrid:
One of the most iconic revenge stories in Champions League history
Juventus, led by five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo, suffered a horrific 2-0 defeat at the Wanda Metropolitano in the first leg of their last-16 tie, provoking a wave of mockery from the Atletico faithful.
Cristiano naturally found himself on the receiving end of sneering comments in the aftermath and failed to stay immune to disrespectful chants from the stands.
But after firing back at the stadium, Ronaldo replied on the pitch in the return leg, turning on his "predator mode" in Turin.
As was the case during his time at the Santiago Bernabeu, the Portugal captain was too hot to handle for Atletico at the Allianz Stadium.
He slotted home two towering headers to draw Juventus level in aggregate scores before converting a tie-deciding spot-kick to eliminate the Spaniards.
Though his heroic second-leg performance in the round of 16 propelled the record-time Serie A champions into the quarter-finals, it was eventually the end of the road for Juve.
Massimiliano Allegri's side bowed out to Ajax in the competition's last-8 despite drawing the first leg 1-1 in Amsterdam.
Erik ten Hag's men pulled off a stunning 2-1 victory in Turin to win the tie 3-2 on aggregate and reach their first Champions League semi-finals in the 21st century.
Juventus may have collapsed against the Eredivisie heavyweights, but Ronaldo's eye-catching second-leg showing against Atletico will go a long way in his resume.
The X-Factor
As soon as Man United learnt their fate for the first knock-out round of the Champions League, videos involving Ronaldo's vengeance against Atletico have hit the headlines again.
Los Rojiblancos will enter proceedings as slight favourites to advance to the quarter-finals, particularly in light of the Red Devils' ongoing struggle.
However, Simeone will have the Ronaldo factor ominously looming in the forefront of his mind.
Cristiano Ronaldo next game for Manchester United is on December 18, against Brighton. You can watch Man United vs Brighton, Sevilla vs Atletico Madrid, Barça vs Elche, Atalanta vs Roma, Salernitana vs Inter Milan, and Bayern Munchen vs Wolfsburg, all matches provided from our football streaming game pages.
Manchester United next game:
Manchester United vs Brighton Hove Albion kick-off time (18-12-2021):
Beijing (China) | UTC/GMT+8: 20:30
Jakarta (Indonesia) | UTC/GMT+7: 19:30
India (New Delhi) | UTC/GMT+5.30: 18:00
Italy (Turin) | UTC/GMT+1: 13:30
Spain (Madrid) | UTC/GMT+1: 13:30
Portugal and England (Lisbon/London) | UTC/GMT+0: 12:30
Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) | UTC/GMT-3: 09:30
New York (United States) | UTC/GMT-4: 08:30
Los Angeles (United States) | UTC/GMT-7: 05:30
Sources: ronaldo7.net / twitter.com / footballtoday.com
