Mith Panchal
We’ve all argued about it, right? Which version of Cristiano Ronaldo was the best? Was it the tricky winger at Manchester United? The goal machine with the noodle hair? Well, let me tell you a secret: the answer might surprise you.
For me it was his 2011/12 Season Under Jose Mourinho. This Ronaldo made me fall in love with Football, and he truly was the most complete forward that I’ve seen.
Why is 2011/12 Cristiano Ronaldo the Most Complete Forward
Picture this: It’s 2011, and Ronaldo’s playing for Real Madrid under José Mourinho. This season? It’s like someone maxed out all his stats in a video game. No joke.
The Physical Freak
First off, let’s talk about his body. The guy was a machine. He could jump higher than a kangaroo, hang in the air like he had invisible wings, and sprint like he had rockets in his boots.
Imagine this: It’s the 83rd minute, most players are dragging their feet, but Ronaldo? He’s cutting across 90 meters in 10 seconds. That’s not human, that’s superhero stuff!
The Ultimate Goal-Scoring Machine
Now, let’s get to the juicy part – the goals. Calling 2012 Ronaldo a “goal-scoring machine” is like calling a Ferrari “just a car.” It doesn’t do him justice.
This guy could score every type of goal imaginable:
- Striker goals? Check.
- Headers that defied gravity? You bet.
- Weak-foot bangers? Easy peasy.
- Long-range screamers? All day, every day.
- Free-kicks that bent the laws of physics? Yep, those too.
I remember the first Madrid derby of the season where he scored a hattrick and the first two goals were just out of this world and he made it look so easy. The first was a freekick from some 30 yards out and he put it into the corner as if it was a Penalty, and for the second he recieved the ball on the left wing and without any hesitation shot for a tight angle, another top bin.
And get this – he even scored with backheels. Twice. In different ways. Who does that?
The Numbers Don’t Lie
Here’s a mind-blowing stat for you: Ronaldo scored SIXTY goals that season. As a winger. Let that sink in for a moment. Most strikers dream of hitting 20 goals a season, and this guy’s tripling that from out wide. Insane.
More Than “Just a Goalscorer”
But here’s where it gets really interesting. Some people try to downplay Ronaldo by saying he’s “just a goalscorer.” But that’s like saying Picasso was “just a painter.”
In 2011/12, Ronaldo wasn’t just putting the ball in the net. He was:
- Dribbling past defenders like they were training cones
- Whipping in crosses that would make David Beckham proud
- Occasionally pulling off passes that even midfield maestros would applaud
He had 15 assists to add to those 60 goals he scored in 55 games. Thats 75 Goal involvments (Seventy- Five)
The Counter-Attack King
And let’s not forget – this was the season Real Madrid became the counter-attack kings. Guess who was leading the charge? Yep, our boy Ronaldo. He was the heart of the most lethal counter-attacking team in recent memory.
Big Game, Bigger Performances
Now, some players shine in the easy games but disappear when it really matters. Cristiano has always been a big game player and so was 2011/12 Ronaldo. This guy lived for the big moments:
- Scored the first-ever hat-trick against Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid
- Found the net in all SIX El Clasico matches that year
- Dominated Bayern Munich in the Champions League semi-finals
- Carried Portugal to the Euro 2012 semi-finals
The Complete Package
So, what makes 2011/12 Ronaldo so special? It’s simple – he had it all. The speed, the strength, the skill, the scoring. He wasn’t just a great goalscorer; he was a scorer of great goals. And he could create them too.
Think about it: How many players can you name who can dribble like a winger, finish like a striker, cross like a fullback, and occasionally pass like a playmaker? I’ll wait.
It’s crazy to think that some people question Ronaldo’s all-around game when discussing the greatest of all time. I mean, come on! The guy reached a level of completeness that most players can only dream of.
The Legacy of 2011/12 Ronaldo
Looking back, it’s a shame that Ronaldo’s incredible season didn’t end with the biggest trophies. He was knocked out of both the Champions League and Euro 2012 on penalties in the semi-finals. Talk about heartbreak!
But you know what? That doesn’t take away from how incredible he was. If anything, it makes it even more impressive. He put up these insane numbers and performances without the bonus motivation of a major trophy at the end.
Best Moments
As I mention earlier his hattrick against Atletico Madrid, but if I had to choose one moment it has to be the Goal that silenced the Camp Nou and the Calma, Calma! celebration to top it off.
That Goals ensure that Real Madrid go on to win the La Liga in record breaking fashion, end Barcelona’s unbeaten home run and dethrone Barcelona as the La Liga Champions.
It was a shame that Madrid didn’t lift the La Decima that year, but after losing the Semis’s Ronaldo made a promise that he owe’s Real Madrid a UCL Final and boy did he deliver.
He promised us a final and delivered 4 trophies.
Final Thoughts
Was 2011/12 Ronaldo the most complete version of himself? In my book, absolutely. Was he the most complete player ever? It’s hard to argue against it.
But here’s the beautiful thing about football – it’s subjective. You might prefer another version of Ronaldo, or maybe you’re team Messi all the way. And that’s okay! That’s what makes the beautiful game so… well, beautiful.
One thing’s for sure though – if you ever find yourself in a football debate and someone tries to say Ronaldo was “just a goalscorer,” you now have all the ammo you need to set them straight.
