Cristiano Ronaldo will meet Atletico Madrid again on Wednesday evening (9 p.m.) in the first leg of the first knockout round of the Champions League. The Portuguese has already scored 25 goals in 35 competitive games against the ‘Rojiblancos’. Whether another – this time in the service of Manchester United – will be added? A personal record is within reach.
Cristiano Ronaldo has only scored more often against Sevilla than against Atletico Madrid in his career so far. The former Real Madrid forward played in Spain from 2009 to 2018, during which time he faced Sevilla in 18 competitive matches and scored a whopping 27 goals. After the Andalusians and Atletico, Getafe is one of the 37-year-old’s favorite opponents, having scored 23 times in 14 competitive matches against the Madrid suburbs.
Meanwhile, ‘CR7’ has scored 20 goals in 34 competitive matches against FC Barcelona and the same number in 13 competitive matches against Celta Vigo. He scored 17 goals in 19 and 18 competitive games against FC Malaga and Athletic Club respectively. Against FC Villarreal, FC Valencia and Espanyol and Real Sociedad he scored 15 times in 21, 20, 16 and nine competitive appearances respectively.
But it is possible that Atletico will soon be the club against which the professional, who has been storming at Manchester United since last summer, has scored the most. He would have to score at least three goals from the first and second leg of the Champions League round of 16.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s favorite opponent
1. FC Sevilla, 18 competitive games; 27 goals
2. Atletico Madrid, 35 competitive games; 25 goals
3. FC Getafe, 14 competitive matches; 23 goals
4. FC Barcelona, 34 competitive games; 20 goals
=. Celta Vigo, 13 competitive games; 20 goals
6. FC Malaga, 19 competitive games; 17 goals
=. Athletic Club, 18 competitive matches; 17 goals
8. Villarreal, 21 competitive matches; 15 goals
=. FC Valencia, 20 competitive games; 15 goals
=. Espanyol Barcelona, 16 competitive matches; 15 goals
=. Real Sociedad, nine competitive games; 15 goals
–
