“I say, ‘F**k’ because if I said, ‘Damn’ it wouldn’t be fair towards the goal” - When ex-coach admired iconic Cristiano Ronaldo goal

Back in December 2019, a delighted Maurizio Sarri was full of admiration for one of Cristiano Ronaldo's most iconic goals at Juventus. Sarri spent a year with the Italian giants, managing one of the greatest players the world has ever seen in the Portuguese icon.

In their Serie A match against Sampdoria in December 2019 at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris, Ronaldo scored the winning goal with a gravity-defying jump and header in the 45th minute. A looping cross from Alex Sandro to the back post might have been high, but the Portuguese legend's athletic abilities were in full force.

After that game, which they won 2-1, Maurizio Sarri revealed just how stunned he had been by Ronaldo's leap, which saw him reach the height of 2.56 meters. The then-34-year-old was in the air for about 1.5 seconds, just long enough to put his header beyond Sampdoria goalkeeper Emil Audero.

Speaking afterward, Sarri said (via Daily Mail):

"What did I think when I saw Ronaldo's goal? I thought, 'F***, what a goal!'. I say, 'F***' because if I said, 'Damn' it wouldn't be fair towards the goal."

Cristiano Ronaldo also spoke about that goal, adding:

"The goal was very nice, I'm happy to help the team with the three points. What I want is to help Juventus win new trophies. I didn't know I was up [in the air] for so long."

The legendary forward went on to win a total of five trophies with Juventus, clinching two consecutive Serie A titles alongside one Coppa Italia and two Supercoppa Italiana.

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Cristiano Ronaldo warns doubters that he isn't done amid impressive Saudi Pro League season

Cristiano Ronaldo has warned doubters and critics that he "still feels the passion" as he continues to impress in Saudi Arabia. After leaving Juventus in 2021, he returned to Manchester United, where he spent just over a year. In January 2023, he joined Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia.

The 39-year-old has taken to life on the Gulf brilliantly. This season, he has scored seven goals and provided two assists in 10 league games. Speaking in the promotional video for Netflix's new series Saudi Pro League: Kickoff, he said (via GOAL):

“I came here to win, to make the league better. I want to leave a legacy. That's what I want. They say I'm finished, that I'm only here for the money... I still feel the passion. They don't believe it, but I'm here to win.”

Cristiano Ronaldo has won just one trophy since he moved to the Middle East - the 2023 Arab Club Champions Cup. He will be looking to clinch the league title with Al-Nassr this season.