On This Day (Aug. 29): Ronaldo's Real Madrid Debut Sparks a New Era

On this day in 2009, Cristiano Ronaldo kicked off his Real Madrid legacy with a debut goal, setting the stage for an unforgettable journey

The Santiago Bernabéu was a hive of excitement on August 29, 2009. Fans crowded the arena, ready to see the start of a new era. After a record-breaking £80 million signing, Cristiano Ronaldo was set to make his Real Madrid La Liga debut. Expectations were high, and Ronaldo did not disappoint.

A star-studded debut

Real Madrid's new "Galácticos" were under pressure to perform well against Deportivo La Coruña. Ronaldo walked the pitch, and Kaka, Xabi Alonso, and Karim Benzema, all making their debuts, distinguishedly represented the club's aspirations.

The game got underway with a bang. Kaka was the mastermind behind Real Madrid's early success in midfield. Finding the net took the home team only a short time. When Benzema's deflected attempt in the 26th minute bounced against the post, club veteran Raul was there to tip home the rebound. Bernabéu burst into flames.

Deportivo, though, was not prepared to give up. Riki shocked the home fans by heading in a cross to level the score in just four minutes. Real Madrid appeared to lose its early impetus. But Raul got a penalty in the 35th minute as the Deportivo custodian pulled him down. Ronaldo stepped up, poised and at ease. The Portuguese player scored his first goal for Los Blancos in a competitive match by slotting the ball into the lower left corner. The crowd sent forth a yell of appreciation.

Yet, the drama was far from over. Early in the second half, Deportivo equalised again, this time through Juan Carlos Valeron, who drilled a shot past Iker Casillas. The match was tense, with both sides pushing for a winner. Lassana Diarra finally restored Real's lead, firing a powerful shot into the far corner. The 3-2 scoreline held until the final whistle.

Ronaldo's debut was successful, marked by a goal and a hard-fought victory. It was just the beginning of what would become an extraordinary chapter in football history.

Ronaldo's Real Madrid legacy

The way Cristiano Ronaldo made his debut hinted at things to come. Over the following nine years, he would leave his mark on Real Madrid's history. Between 2009 and 2018, Ronaldo was a sensation for the team rather than just a player.

Even though he didn't win any trophies, his first season was one of adjustment. Ronaldo found his rhythm the next season while wearing the iconic No. 7 shirt. He scored 53 goals in all competitions, which helped Real Madrid win the Copa del Rey. However, that was only a warm-up.

The 2011-12 season saw Ronaldo reach new heights. He netted an astonishing 60 goals, leading Madrid to their first La Liga title in four years. His rivalry with Lionel Messi reached a fever pitch, with both players pushing each other to unprecedented levels of excellence. Ronaldo finished second in the FIFA Ballon d'Or that year, but his determination only grew stronger.

Ronaldo had a very successful tenure with Real Madrid. In 438 club appearances, he scored 450 goals, becoming the club's all-time top scorer. He won two La Liga crowns, four Champions League titles, three Club World Cups and many other trophies. Ronaldo cemented his status as one of football's all-time greats by winning the Ballon d'Or five times.

A farewell to Madrid

Ronaldo left Real Madrid in 2018 to join Juventus, ending nearly a decade of dominance. His departure ended an era, but his legacy at the Bernabéu endures. Ronaldo changed Real Madrid, bringing them fame and leaving a lasting legacy that will be cherished for years to come.

Nobody could have imagined Ronaldo's effect on Real Madrid in August 2009. His first goal was only the start of a journey that would redefine what it meant to be successful at one of the most prominent football teams in the world.

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