Perplexity x CR7 — Cristiano Ronaldo on Greatness, Goals, and How to Master the Bicycle Kick

I get asked a lot about comparisons, numbers, and what makes a footballer “the greatest.” People love to argue. They shout about Ballon d'Ors, Champions League finals, screaming long-range goals, and those moments that make the stadium go silent. I’m not here to settle every debate. I’m here to explain how I think about greatness, to break down a few of the moments that matter to me, and to walk you through how to learn one of the most spectacular moves in the game: the bicycle kick.

🔥 The debate: legacy, numbers, and what really counts
⚽ Iconic moments that define careers
🚀 The "CU" — my celebration and why it matters
🔎 Curiosity, partnerships, and the appetite for improvement
🎯 How to learn a bicycle kick — a step-by-step guide for players
🏋️ Strength, conditioning, and the unseen work
💡 Mental approach: how I prepare for big moments
📈 The numbers: records, trophies, and what they say
🌍 Legacy, humility, and what I hope people take away
📰 Final word — a short report on the current conversation
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Additional resources

🔥 The debate: legacy, numbers, and what really counts

Fans will always compare. They point to trophies, the Golden Boots, who scored in which final, or who has nearly 1,000 career goals. I’ve heard it all: someone says he won the World Cup, someone else says he’s got five Ballon d'Ors, another insists that the only comparison that matters is trophies. Some of the best conversations I’ve had were just fans in a bar shouting across each other, naming every goal and every celebration they can remember.

Here’s how I look at it. Numbers matter. Records matter. But context and consistency matter more.

Longevity — Being at the top for a long time is a form of excellence. It’s not one season; it’s seasons upon seasons.
Impact — Did the goal change a game? Did the match-winning strike come when it mattered most? A goal in a cup final carries weight a league goal on a rainy Tuesday might not.
Versatility — Can you score in different ways? With both feet, from range, with headers, with volleys, with a bicycle? That breadth shows complete skill.
Mental toughness — Handling pressure, bouncing back after a mistake, and performing consistently for club and country.

I know people love to list highlights: a long-range scream from 40 yards, a last-minute winner, a goal that made rival fans stand and applaud. Those are unforgettable because the context amplifies the technical quality. But when I talk about legacy, I also include training choices, discipline, how you prepare for every season. That’s the invisible part people don’t always see, and it’s what keeps the numbers coming.

⚽ Iconic moments that define careers

Certain goals stick in people’s heads forever. When I replay my own career, what stays with me are the goals that required more than a touch of luck—goals that needed timing, courage, and perfect execution. I’ll talk about a few of these moments, why they mattered, and what they taught me.

Standing ovations from rivals

There’s one moment I’ll never forget: scoring a goal so good that the opposing fans gave me a standing ovation. That level of recognition tells you something important. It’s not just about winning or losing. It’s about respect.

When a rival crowd acknowledges the quality of a play, it confirms that football still has room for beauty. I aim to win, but I also aim to make the game beautiful. That respect is as rewarding as any trophy.

Bicycle kick against Juventus (2018)

That overhead kick became one of those defining images people think of when they see me play. The thing about a proper bicycle kick is that it is a perfect alignment of perception, timing, and courage. You have to know where the ball is going to be, commit fully to the motion, and accept the risk. I went for it because I saw the chance and felt confident I could execute it.

Long-range strikes and impossible angles

People remember a strike from 40 yards because it breaks what seems possible. A goal like that is about instant decision-making. You see the keeper off the line, trust your technique, and strike it clean. If the shot goes in, people will remember the audacity. If it doesn’t, you keep practicing until it becomes a percentage play rather than a gamble.

Winning in finals

Goals in finals—cup finals, Champions League nights—are different animals. Pressure is louder, mistakes cost more, and every player on the pitch knows it. Scoring in those games often requires a simple mindset: do what you trained for, stick to the basics, and let your instincts kick in when the moment arrives. That’s how you turn moments into milestones.

🚀 The "CU" — my celebration and why it matters

People associate certain celebrations with players. For me, there’s a very recognizable celebration I used beginning around 2013 that fans often call the "CU" or the "Siuu." It’s energetic, it’s loud, and it’s part of the emotion. A celebration is a release—the physical expression of years of effort compressed into a few seconds.

When I score, I express what I feel in that instant. Sometimes it’s a calm nod, sometimes it’s a jump and a shout. A celebration becomes iconic when it’s repeated in big moments, and when fans adopt it and make it theirs. That’s why people remember the year a celebration first appeared: it’s tied to the memory of crucial goals and defining seasons.

🔎 Curiosity, partnerships, and the appetite for improvement

I don’t stop learning. Curiosity is how greatness begins. It pushes you to question your technique, your diet, your recovery, and even the way you celebrate a goal. I partner with people and platforms that help me explore new ideas—new ways to analyze form, to measure progress, and to find marginal gains. Those marginal gains become the difference between a great season and a historic one.

Being curious keeps you active in improvement. It’s not about reinventing yourself every month. It’s about asking: how can I be better today than I was yesterday? How can I increase accuracy, increase power, reduce the risk of injury? The answers sometimes come from coaches, sometimes from new tech, sometimes from watching teammates in training.

🎯 How to learn a bicycle kick — a step-by-step guide for players

I get asked one technical question more than any other: how do you learn the bicycle kick? It looks like magic, but it’s learnable with the right approach. You need sequence, timing, body control, and a lot of practice. Below I break the motion down into progressive steps so you can train safely and effectively.

1. Understand the mechanics

A bicycle kick is a coordination of five things:

Visual anticipation — You must predict where the ball will be and commit before it arrives.
Explosive leg drive — Your kicking leg must generate power through hip rotation and knee extension.
Counterbalance — Your non-kicking leg and arms balance and counter the motion.
Torso twist — The torso rotates so the hips can produce a full range of motion for the kicking leg.
Safe landing — Learn to land on your upper back and shoulders to protect your neck and spine.

2. Progression drills

Start on the ground. Build up to the full motion.

Supine leg raises — Lie on your back and practice lifting your legs in a scissor motion. This develops the hip flexor and abdominal coordination necessary to invert your body.
Side plank kicks — In a side plank position, practice the kick leg motion to build lateral control.
Assisted cartwheels — Without a ball, practice the rotational motion with hands touching the ground to get used to inversion and safe landing.
Jumping tuck landings — From a small jump, tuck and land on your back on a soft mat to condition your body to accept the landing forces.
Wall-assisted kicks — Toss the ball against a wall and practice timing the inversion so you can connect with the ball cleanly.

3. Ball progression

When you move to the ball, start slow.

Static toss — Partner tosses a slow, arcing ball. You focus only on body motion and contact. Aim to hit the ball in the center with the instep or laces, depending on desired trajectory.
Moving toss — The ball comes with more speed. Your visual anticipation and timing become critical.
Match-speed delivery — The final stage. The ball arrives at match speed and height. You execute under pressure similar to game conditions.

4. Key technical cues

When you go for a bicycle kick, keep these cues in mind:

Fix your eyes on the ball until the moment of contact. Your body will follow where your vision points.
Bring your kicking leg up early so it’s ready when the ball arrives. Don’t wait until the last second.
Use the non-kicking leg as a lever to push your hips upward and backward.
Point your toes away from your face to protect your ankle and foot on contact.
Snap through with the ankle at the last millisecond to get power and a clean strike.
Rotate your shoulders to align the hips for a square contact surface on the ball.

5. Safety and common mistakes

People try bicycle kicks without adequate preparation and injure themselves. Don’t be that player.

Don’t practice on hard ground. Use a soft surface or mat when learning.
Don’t attempt a bicycle kick with defenders close by until you’re consistent. The risk of elbow or head collisions is high.
Don’t lock your neck. Keep your chin slightly tucked to protect your cervical spine on landing.
Don’t rush the progression. Build strength and coordination gradually.

6. Putting it together: a 6-week microcycle

Practice consistently. Here’s a simple plan you can follow three times a week.

Week 1-2: Core and hip strength, supine drills, and soft mat landings.
Week 3-4: Assisted cartwheels, wall kicks, and static tosses with a partner.
Week 5: Moving tosses at increasing speed, starting from 50 percent match speed.
Week 6: Match-speed delivery and full-speed attempts with a coach or experienced partner. Record and review each attempt.

Remember: muscle memory takes time. It’s not about a single spectacular training session. It’s repetition, feedback, and incremental increases in difficulty.

🏋️ Strength, conditioning, and the unseen work

People see the goals but not the hours. For a move like a bicycle kick, you need core strength, explosive hip power, and shoulder resilience. That means specific strength work.

Core and hip exercises

Hanging leg raises for hip flexor and lower abdominal control.
Russian twists to build torso rotation strength.
Bulgarian split squats for single-leg power and balance.
Hip thrusts for explosive hip extension.

Plyometrics and explosive training

Plyos teach your muscles to contract quickly and generate power. Include:

Box jumps for vertical explosion.
Broad jumps for horizontal power.
Medicine ball rotational throws for transfer of rotational power from hips to upper body.

Recovery and mobility

Flexibility in the hips and thoracic spine allows the range of motion needed for safe, powerful kicks. Prioritize:

Dynamic warm-ups before training.
Deep hip flexor stretches after sessions.
Soft tissue work and foam rolling to maintain muscle quality.

💡 Mental approach: how I prepare for big moments

Preparing for high-pressure situations is as much mental as physical. I practice a few rituals that keep me grounded.

Visualize the moment—I picture scenarios and the feeling of executing. Visualization primes your motor pathways for real action.
Routine before the match—I keep to a consistent warm-up and pregame rituals so my body and mind know what to expect.
Stay present—In the moment, I focus on the next action, not the highlight reel. Your mind will try to wander; anchor it to the immediate task.

People remember celebrations and goals, but the quiet routine that led to them is what creates repeatable performance. Curiosity plays into this too. I’m always looking for ways to improve that routine, from sleep strategies to recovery methods to small technical tweaks.

📈 The numbers: records, trophies, and what they say

Fans will always trade stat lines. “He has five Ballon d'Ors,” someone says. “He scored in that final,” another replies. Numbers are simple to compare but complex to interpret. When I discuss numbers, I look at them as a story rather than a scorecard.

Goals are an output of all the things behind the scenes: training load, diet, recovery, coach trust, and mental clarity. That’s why I respect players who have high numbers across many seasons. It shows adaptation and resilience.

And while awards like the Ballon d'Or and Golden Boot are milestones I value, they don’t define the entirety of a career. What defines a career is continuous excellence, leadership, and moments that influenced teammates and fans alike.

🌍 Legacy, humility, and what I hope people take away

People talk about the “greatest of all time” label like it’s a trophy you can lift. For me, legacy is simpler and more personal. It’s about the influence I leave on younger players, the joy I gave to fans, and the respect I earned from opponents.

I want young players to know three things:

Work ethic beats talent if talent doesn’t work. Natural ability opens doors, but consistent work keeps you in the room.
Curiosity is essential. Ask questions, try new drills, and don’t be afraid to change small things that make a big difference.
Enjoy the moment. The pressure is real, but so is the joy. Celebrate your successes and learn from the setbacks.

Partnerships and platforms that encourage curiosity and learning make a difference for young players and fans. I appreciate anything that makes people want to explore the game more deeply. Curiosity doesn’t only build skills, it builds culture.

📰 Final word — a short report on the current conversation

There’s a constant conversation about players, records, and iconic moments. It will go on. What I want to emphasize is this: achievements matter because they reflect discipline, resilience, and focus over time. Iconic goals matter because they show the highest form of skill combined with nerve. And training matters because all those goals start in the everyday work that nobody sees.

If you want to score spectacular goals, master celebrations, or develop a legacy, focus on the little things daily. Be curious about your limits and how to push them. Build strength, practice technique, and respect safety. That’s how careers become more than a highlight reel—they become enduring stories.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to learn a bicycle kick?

It depends on your starting point. If you already have good core strength and coordination, you can see consistent results in 4 to 6 weeks of focused practice. For most players, mastering the move safely at match speed takes several months of disciplined progression and repetition.

What are the biggest risks when attempting a bicycle kick?

The biggest risks are head, neck, and shoulder injuries from awkward landings or collisions with other players. Practicing on soft surfaces, learning safe landing techniques, and ensuring the area is clear are essential to reduce risk.

Which muscles should I strengthen to improve my bicycle kick?

Focus on the core, hip flexors, glutes, and the muscles around your shoulders and upper back. Plyometric work and explosive hip extension exercises help develop the power needed for a strong, controlled kick.

How do you handle comparisons and debates about being the greatest?

I treat comparisons as part of the game. They motivate me. But I focus on personal standards: daily work, consistency, and impact on my team. Awards and records are milestones, not the full story.

Is it better to practice bicycle kicks in training or only in game-like scenarios?

Start in controlled training with soft surfaces and progress through stages. Once you’re consistently executing under controlled conditions, integrate into game-like scenarios. Always use protection and have a coach or partner to assist initially.

How important is curiosity for elite performance?

Curiosity is vital. It drives you to test new methods, adopt better recovery protocols, tweak technique, and stay ahead of the competition. The smallest curiosity-driven change can create a meaningful performance difference over a season.

Can younger players safely attempt the bicycle kick?

Younger players should only attempt it under supervision and with adequate strength and mobility. Use proper progressions, soft surfaces, and limit attempts until they demonstrate proper technique and safe landings.

What role do celebrations play in the sport?

Celebrations are the emotional release of achievement. They help bond teams and fans. An iconic celebration becomes part of the cultural memory of the sport when it coincides with big moments and repeated success.

Where can I learn more about training methods and marginal gains?

Look for resources that cover sports science, recovery, and strength and conditioning. Partnerships with platforms that combine data, coaching, and curiosity-driven learning can accelerate your development. Stay critical and experiment with small changes to find what works for you.

Additional resources

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