🎥 The five lowest points of Cristiano Ronaldo's career | OneFootball

After writing himself into Champions League folklore during nine seasons with Real Madrid, nobody saw it coming. The world waited for Ronaldo to open his Champions League account with new club Juventus and saw something very different: a red card for the Portuguese.

Visibly devastated by Felix Brych’s decision, it was undoubtedly a low point for Ronaldo as he returned to Spain for the first time since his summer transfer.

There have been plenty of highs but Wednesday night was one of the lowest moments in Ronaldo’s career. So, with that in mind, what are the others?

Derby day red cards

2006, 2008, 2013. Two against Manchester City and one against Atlético Madrid.

Though he may be the most disciplined trainer in world footballer, Ronaldo has not always maintained the same level of self-control on the pitch. Especially in big games.

The wink

Still playing in England at the time, Ronaldo was on a mission to take Portugal to World Cup glory in 2006, no matter what he had to do.

Even if that meant pushing the buttons of club team-mate Wayne Rooney. The England star was nudged by Ronaldo’s head before the game as a sign of things to come. When Rooney eventually lashed out at Ricardo Carvalho, Ronaldo was the first on the scene, imploring the referee to show red.

And when he did? Ronaldo’s wink was seen worldwide. Cue outrage.

Messi 1-0 Ronaldo

The 2009 Champions League final, the first game billed as the one to decide the greatest player in the world. The true beginning of the so-called rivalry Ronaldo has had with Lionel Messi.

First blood to Messi. Barcelona ran out 2-0 winners, with Messi on the scoresheet. Ronaldo – who had won the competition a year earlier – would be pipped to the Ballon d’Or by Messi for the first time and experienced his first defeat in a Champions League final.

Just months later, Ronaldo was a Real Madrid player. He’d never lose a Champions League final again.

Outrage against Cordoba

Ronaldo has now been shown a red card 11 times in his career but one given against Cordoba was for perhaps his most violent outburst.

Frustrated as Real Madrid were being held to a 1-1 draw, the Portuguese kicked out at defender Edimar with the ball nowhere to be seen. When Edimar’s team-mates arrived, Ronaldo threw a fist.

To make matters worse, he simply shrugged when shown the red card and brushed the ‘Club World Cup winners’ badge on his Real Madrid shirt as he left the field. Not the most endearing action.

Heartbreak on home soil

Euro 2004 and Portugal are the hosts. Ronaldo – just 19 – scored twice and assisted two more as Portugal found themselves in the final against minnows Greece. Winning an international trophy as the host nation? The stuff of dreams and a once in a lifetime opportunity.

And Portugal blew it.

Angelos Charisteas scored the only goal, leaving an entire nation on its knees.