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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Samuel Meade

Cristiano Ronaldo's iconic Nou Camp moment that saw sanctioned threat in record season

Cristiano Ronaldo, forever the man for the big occasion, silenced the Nou Camp a decade ago en route to ending Barcelona's LaLiga dominance.

Jose Mourinho was hired to end the Catalans' stranglehold of the Spanish top flight in 2010, arriving as the European champion following his success with Inter Milan - ironically in the Bernabeu - following their Champions League final success over Bayern Munich.

It was clear that Ronaldo, then the world's most expensive player, would be central to his plans as he aimed to suppress Pep Guardiola's seemingly irrepressible Barcelona outfit, who had won successive LaLiga titles before making it a hat-trick in 2011. A year later though and the Catalans were playing catch-up, but knew a win at the Nou Camp in the Clasico in April would swing things back in their favour.

Mourinho's Madrid learnt that they couldn't play Barcelona at their own game so became their antagonist. Ronaldo was relied upon to be the difference-maker, much like he was in the Copa del Rey final in 2011, and on the big stage, he did exactly that. The Portuguese star scored the winner at the Nou Camp with 20 minutes remaining in a title-deciding clash in the 2011/12 campaign.

His strike ensured he would claim LaLiga glory for the first time following his record move from Manchester United in 2009. Ronaldo's first touch allowed him to leave Victor Valdes flat-footed before he scored past the Spanish goalkeeper.

" Cristiano Ronaldo with a platinum touch. Is that the goal that not just silences the Camp Nou, but silences Barcelona's chances of the championship," said Rob Palmer on commentary for Sky Sports as Madrid took the lead for the second time on the night.

The Ballon d'Or winner quickly reeled away, urging the Nou Camp crowd to seemingly quieten down as he - and Madrid - took control of the LaLiga title race en route to the title. It was a gesture that would go on to stand the test of time, known now as the "calma" celebration, and remains an iconic moment in the player's - and the fixture's - legacy.

It would land Ronaldo in hot water however as the league's president Javier Tebas confessed a fine would be handed down due to the "provocative" nature of his actions - which was always going to wrangle the Barcelona faithful. "We have to be careful with provocative gestures by a player when he scores a goal or with any other provocation or conduct that could incite violence among spectators," said Tebas. "It must be sanctioned, from a fine up to a suspension. We will look into it."

Such a sanction will have done little to dampen the Madrid spirits as their success in Catalunya all but sealed the title. They would go on to win their remaining four games which saw them claim LaLiga in record fashion as Guardiola waved goodbye to Barcelona, citing the demands of the job as a reason to step away.

Los Blancos would win LaLiga with 32 victories to their name - a record that still remains. That also claimed 100 points - a feat that has not been topped since. Ronaldo scored 60 times in all competitions as he continued to etch his name into the history books at the Bernabeu.

Esteban Granero, a member of Madrid's historic side, believes Los Blancos deserved all the praise that came their way given the seemingly unbeatable aura that had been created by Barcelona. He said: “They (Barcelona) were amazing. That’s why we got all the credit because we were the only ones who were able to beat them across a full championship. We won at Camp Nou and we managed to get 100 points.

“They were probably one of the best teams ever. These players coming from the academy and playing this beautiful football, with the best-ever Messi doing what he wanted. It was good to see and it was good to play against but we were able to fight against them and win."

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