Real Madrid legend looks to write name further into football lore

Form is temporary but class is forever, a point Cristiano Ronaldo has proven season after season performing at the highest level whilst also adapting his game.

The Real Madrid man may no longer be the fleet-footed winger who'd dart past defenders before coming inside to smash the ball past the goalkeeper, however, Ronaldo remains a goal machine posting some of the most ridiculous statistics on the goal scoring charts.

Ronaldo has now scored 50 goals for club and country marking the eighth consecutive season he has done so. On Saturday he will get the chance to further add to his record breaking feats when Real Madrid stare down Liverpool in the final of the Champions League in Kiev.

Ronaldo stands peerless at the top of Champions League goal scoring charts with 119 overall in the competition and has a fair bit of history with the competition.

The Portugal international scored in 11 consecutive matches in this season's competition and slotted away the penalty to nudge Real past a determined Juventus at the Bernebeau.

A big player for the big occasions, Ronaldo also sits on the cusp of even more history as a win for Madrid will mean winning a fifth Champions League title, the most by any player in the history of the competition.

Addressing reporters at  Real's Open Media Day Ronaldo had this to say: “It would be an historic moment. We are excited as a team. You can see it around the training ground: we’re not conscious of how historic it would be because everybody is completely focused on the game. 

"But, afterwards, if everything goes well, we will enter into the history books. I’m confident, I’m feeling fit and I can see my teammates are all geared up. If I win a fifth it would be amazing."

The Portugese ace also relayed his affinity towards the Champions League and why it means so much to him.

“The Champions League is a special competition. I love playing in Europe. We have been through some fantastic moments, these are always amazing games. PSG, Juventus… you have to play against the best teams. Of course I know you want me to say the overhead kick, but at this club we are always involved in special moments." 

Ronaldo is confident his side has what it takes to win, but is also aware of the threat Liverpool present.

“ We’re not going to have it easy. They deserve to be in the final. They remind me of Madrid three or four years ago. Their three front players, they’re very quick… they are powerful in attack and I respect them. But Madrid are better. "

Ronaldo also stands to extend his record of scoring in Champions League finals to four after finding the net in 2008, 2014 and 2017.