Rene Meulensteen Cristiano Ronaldo
A few things have changed since returning Manchester United great Cristiano Ronaldo last touched down in the Premier League. Having completed a sensational return to Manchester on deadline day, though, there are some things United and excited supporters will have to get used to from their ‘new’ signing. No longer a fleet-footed winger, the Portuguese superstar is a fully fledged No9 these days – despite the equally iconic No7 being printed on his United shirt. His goals at Old Trafford and beyond will now be followed by an iconic ‘Siiiiuu’ celebration which has been a hallmark of his time in Spain and subsequent three-year spell with Juventus, not to mention lighting up the international stage for Portugal. But what, exactly, is the meaning behind that celebration, which starts off with a jump, a 180-degree spin, and shouting the word ‘Siiiiuu’ upon landing?
Cristiano Ronaldo said: “I started to say ‘si’, it’s like ‘yes’, when I was in Real Madrid. When we would win, everyone would say ‘siiiii’ and so I started to say it. I don’t know why, it was natural. I was in the USA and we played against Chelsea [in 2013] and I don’t know where this is coming from, the celebration. I just scored the goal and it just came out. It was just natural, to be honest. Since that, I started to do it more often and I feel like the supporters and the fans see it and they’re like ‘Cristiano, Siiiiuu’. I’m like wow! People are reminded of me because of it, so it’s good. I’ll continue doing it like that.”
Cristiano Ronaldo was already on his way to becoming ones of the best players on the planet, along with Lionel Messi, but that was a tag he strengthened even further at Real Madrid. During his first spell at United, six hugely memorable seasons brought 118 goals and 69 assists for Ronaldo, helping bring home three Premier League titles, the 2008 Champions League and the first of five Ballon d’Or awards. Goals and accolades – individual and team – continued to rack up when Ronaldo left the UK in 2009.
