'Greatest goal scorer of all time' - Twitteratti celebrate Ronaldo

Members of the football fraternity reacted to Cristiano Ronaldo's hat-trick against Spain on Friday.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored three goals in Portugal's 3-3 draw against Spain. Photo: AP

Cristiano Ronaldo single-handedly ensured Portugal pulled off a draw against Spain in the first match of its World Cup campaign on Friday. Members of the football fraternity took to Twitter to express their awe of a solid performance from one of the biggest football stars.

The third of Ronaldo's three goals was a neat free kick that provided Portugal its equaliser just minutes from full-time, a moment that was commented upon by many on Twitter .

Former Manchester United player Rio Ferdinand was thrilled by Ronaldo's free-kick. He wrote, "I can’t breathe.... it’s illegal what @Cristiano is doing at the #WorldCup."

 

Former member of U.S.'s national football team, Landon Donovan, offered a self-deprecating perspective of Ronaldo's hat-trick. He said, "Two hours ago, I had more career World Cup goals than Ronaldo, clearly making me the better player. Then he scored a hat trick."

 

Rafael van der Vaart narrated an anecdote from his Real Madrid days depicting the enigma that is Ronaldo.

 

Former Formula One star Nico Rosberg summed up his admiration for Ronaldo's feat with a simple "wow wow wow."

 

Franco Baresi, the Italian footballer and the former AC Milan captain, was similarly lost for words. But former Liverpool player Jamie Carragher declared Ronaldo as the "greatest goal scorer of all time."

 

Retired English female footballer Alex Scott observed Ronaldo was "a player who loves the big stage."

 

According to Pakistani wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal, Ronaldo was "brilliant."