But his haters said he never showed up during big games...
Another hat trick by Cristiano Ronaldo sent Real Madrid into the UEFA Champions League semi-finals in style, giving fans something to talk about once again.
The Portuguese striker has scored 16 goals in 10 UCL goals this season, including three hat tricks. No player currently performing in the tournament has even come close to that number. If that wasn't enough, CR7 is now the second player to score five Champions League hat tricks in the tournamen's history.
Today's display also granted him the honor of becoming the second player in Real Madrid's history to record a UCL hat-trick while playing a knockout stage game. The only player to do thar before him was Ronaldo, when he bagged three goals against Manchester United back in 2003.
The game's third goal also helped him reach the top of another statistical category. He is now the joint top scorer in the tournament's history with eleven free kick/penalty goals alongside Alessandro del Piero, scoring eleven goals each.
Ronaldo's third goal against Wolfsburg (Geo-restricted)
Hat-trick pregunta @johnlaguna3. Véanlo ustedes...Triplete de @cristiano. #ChampionsEnFD @marianot19 https://t.co/3pQc7Pk9Qs
— FOX Deportes (@FOXDeportes) April 12, 2016
Here's what fans and experts had to say about his display against the German side.
Cristiano Ronaldo in 2016
— Real Madrid Stats (@RMadrid_Stats) April 12, 2016
Games: 21 (RM 19, NT 2)
Goals: 22 (RM 21, NT 1)
Assists: 7 (RM 7, NT 0)
Hatricks: 3
Penalties: 2
We will never see another player like Cristiano Ronaldo. From minute 1, you could see how bad he wanted this tonight. Adding to his legacy.
— RMadridHome2 (@RMadridHome2) April 12, 2016
Great night for @Cristiano, for me the best goalscorer ever. It is good to see him perform when it matters
— Guillem Balague (@GuillemBalague) April 12, 2016
Cristiano is the 21st century top scorer with 537 goals scored in all competitions. [bein] pic.twitter.com/XJLFgzGxBy
— SB (@Realmadridplace) April 12, 2016
Messi's brilliant, Suarez sublime, Neymar fantastic - but if I could bring one player in the world to Arsenal it would be Ronaldo.
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) April 12, 2016
CR7 proved why he is the best player in the world #HalaMadrid
— Maddy (@urstrulymaddy) April 12, 2016
What a performance by RM as they win 3-0 that CR7 I dont know why they stick with him. Wait I do he got the 3 goals.
— Tommy Smyth (@TommySmythESPN) April 12, 2016
CR7 is the best player of the current lot. And he pays his taxes too, any government should love him.
— Dabane (@Mkhu28) April 12, 2016
Ladies & gentleman that's the best player in the world#CR7 #HalaMadrid
— Chad Johnson (@ochocinco) April 12, 2016
Wow CR7
— Ahmed Elmohamady (@Elmo_27) April 12, 2016
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