On 15 December 2016, Real Madrid faced Club America, a Mexican club, in the semi-final of the Club World Cup. Two nil was quite simple for the Castillans, who took the lead through Karim Benzema at the end of the first half. In the injury time of the second half, here’s the usual Cristiano Ronaldo: after a sumptuous assist from James Rodriguez, here’s the right-footed shot that beats goalkeeper Munoz – coming out – for the final 2-0. It is a milestone in the Portuguese footballing history, because it is the five hundredth goal scored in his career in official matches, at the age of 31. A journey that began 14 years earlier, when he scored at the age of seventeen with Sporting Lisbon.
Ronaldo at that time had 377 goals with Real Madrid, 5 with Sporting, 118 with United. 500 with clubs. Now, seven years later, Cristiano is not that far from 1000, evidently a goal to end his career.
CF America-Real Madrid 0-2
CF America (5-3-2)
Munoz; Valdez, Aguilar, Alvarado (54′ Guerrero), Goltz, Samudio; Sambueza, William, Ibarra (62′ Quintero); Peralta, Romero (70′ Arroyo).
Trainer: The Fox.
Real Madrid (4-3-3)
Navas; Carvajal, Varane, Nacho Fernandez, Marcelo; Kroos (72′ Rodriguez), Casemiro, Modric; Vazquez, Benzema (79′ Morata), Cristiano Ronaldo. Trainer: Zidane.