Cristiano Ronaldo stunned Clive Tyldesley with free-kick for Man Utd vs Arsenal in 2009 | OneFootball

At the time of writing, Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 56 free-kicks in his career.

Ronaldo has scored so many memorable goals from dead-ball situations.

His free-kick against Portsmouth, which left David James bamboozled, was incredible.

His last-minute strike against Spain at the 2018 World Cup was ridiculous.

But arguably his best free-kick came on May 5, 2009, against Arsenal in the Champions League.

Manchester United took a one-goal lead into the second leg of their semi-final tie against Arsenal.

Park Ji-Sung’s eighth minute goal doubled their advantage, before Ronaldo added to their lead with a quite extraordinary set-piece.

United were given a free-kick some 40 yards out.

Despite Ronaldo standing over the ball and being one of the greatest free-kick takers in the world, Arsenal decided to only put two men in the wall.

It was so far out that, just before Ronaldo struck the ball, ITV commentator Clive Tyldesley uttered the words: “Too far out for Ronaldo to think about it…”

Seconds later, Ronaldo made Tyldesley look silly as he lashed the ball with some venom at goal. Manuel Almunia was completely deceived as the ball crashed into the net.

Tyldesley then said: “OH! Absolutely sensational!”

Yet another reason why you should never, ever doubt Ronaldo.

Now 37, Ronaldo continues to play at the highest level and, while he’s found free-kicks harder to score in recent times, he managed to net his first since returning to United against Norwich earlier this month.

His tally of 56 free-kick goals is means he is just three away from breaking into the the 10 most prolific free-kick takers of all time.

He’ll need to score 21 more free-kicks to match Juninho Pernambucano’s record.

It looks a step too far but, with Ronaldo, you just never know.

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