Ronaldo's celebration flex, Balotelli asks 'why always me?', Ramos drops the Copa: The funniest thing I have seen
Over the years, our writers have been present for some of the game's funniest moments. In the latest installment of a multi-part series, they tell the story of the funniest moments they have seen, including an over-the-top goal celebration from Cristiano Ronaldo, Mario Balotelli's "Why always me?" shirt and Sergio Ramos dropping the Copa del Rey trophy.
Gab Marcotti's pick: Ronaldo's UCL final goal celebration
The match: Real Madrid 4-1 Atletico Madrid (2014)
The place: Lisbon, Portugal
The place: Lisbon, Portugal
We were way deep in injury time and the game was over. Real Madrid were 3-1 up and seconds away from winning "La Decima" -- their 10th European Cup. Nerves were frayed and bodies exhausted after an epic comeback. Atletico Madrid had taken the lead only for Real Madrid to grab a last-ditch equaliser thanks to Sergio Ramos after laying siege to the opposition goal for much of the match.
Ramos' strike deflated Atletico, mentally and morally. In the second period of extra time, Gareth Bale gave Madrid the lead and, with two minutes to go, Marcelo added the insurance goal to make it 3-1. The game was over. History was going to be made.
Except there were 120 seconds to go. Enough for Cristiano Ronaldo to skip into the box and win a penalty after a little kick out from Gabi. Up stepped Madrid's No. 7 for the ultimate garbage-time goal and you knew he wasn't going to miss: ball one way, Thibaut Courtois the other.
So far, so normal, but it was Ronaldo's celebration that stood out. Off he sprinted toward the corner, shirt off, pecs bulging, guns out, massive solo flex, hands on hips. It was absurdly over the top given the circumstances and somewhat remarkable given how his team had celebrated wildly twice in the previous 10 minutes.
Ronaldo was criticised, with some even suggesting his pose was specifically for cameras hidden in the crowd that were filming a biographical documentary: Ronaldo: The Movie.
But I don't buy it. I like to imagine Ronaldo celebrates that way in training. Or when he's in his backyard with his kids. Maybe even in the privacy of his own bathroom, staring in the mirror.
He may not have been critical to Real Madrid's success that night, but he was critical to them being there. He had appeared in 11 Champions' League games and scored in 10 of them, amassing a total of 17 goals.
This was his moment as much as it was anybody else's. This wasn't an egomaniac stealing the limelight. Or, rather, maybe he is a prima donna and an egomaniac, but he's no thief of limelights: he's a creator of them. I thought it was hilarious because even as some tut-tutted away, Ronaldo was enjoying every minute. And, clearly, did not care.
Was it lack of self-awareness? Or was it the ultimate self-awareness and not caring in the slightest what others think? Who knows? Who cares? It was deliciously funny, especially knowing the reaction it would generate.
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