KEY POINTS

  • Cristiano Ronaldo has become a more efficient goal scorer since turning 30
  • Ronaldo's latest goal was a sensational giant leap against Roma
  • The Portuguese star lauded his new coach for building camaraderie in the team

Cristiano Ronaldo is aging like a fine wine as his current goal stat shows that he has become a better goal scorer as time passes.

The Juventus superstar is continuing where he left off earlier this year as stats from Pro Football DB revealed that Ronaldo’s goal average has increased after turning 30 years old.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner tallied a total of 463 goals in 718 matches before turning 30 with an average of 0.64. Since then, “CR7” has become more efficient on the pitch and scored 279 goals in 299 matches to improve his average to 0.93.

At 35, Ronaldo has reaped the record books last season for the Old Lady. One of his latest accolades came in the derby against Torino on July 4. Ronaldo netted a free-kick goal, and in the process, set a new Serie A record. The phenomenal goal saw Ronaldo becoming the first player in 60 years to hit 25 goals for Juventus in a single Serie A season.

He followed it up by completing 50 career Serie A goals with his brace against Lazio on July 20, making him the first player in history to score 50 goals in Italy, England, Spain and the Champions League.

In the final match of Week 2 of the current Serie A season, Ronaldo once again proved that age is just a number with his sensational giant leap to score an equalizer against AS Roma Sunday. The 35-year-old came to the rescue after Adrien Rabiot was sent off, reducing Juve’s squad to just 10 men.

Ronaldo’s first goal came from the penalty spot after Lorenzo Pellegrini blocked his attempted shot with an extended arm. The second, however, saved the reigning Serie A champion from suffering its first loss of the season as Ronaldo soared for the ball and hung in the air to guide Danilo’s cross past Roma goalkeeper Antonio Mirante.

The goal was indeed a thing of beauty as the Juventus talisman managed to hit the back of the net after hitting the ball using his head.

Despite scoring a highlight-worthy goal, Ronaldo admitted that the team endured a difficult match. He also lauded newly-appointed Juventus coach Andrea Pirlo for building camaraderie in the team.

“It was an important point, it was a difficult game, we went twice behind, we were ten. We are at the beginning of the championship, with a new coach, with new ideas, we have to work but I see a great future for this team,” Ronaldo told Sky Sports after the match.

“With Pirlo, the team works harder and is happier,” he added. “The Italian league has so many strong teams, there is Inter, there is Milan, it is more difficult this year.”

Cristiano Ronaldo last played for Juventus against Inter Milan on March 8
Cristiano Ronaldo last played for Juventus against Inter Milan on March 8 AFP / Marco Bertorello