Now aged 38, Cristiano Ronaldo’s Midas Touch appears to be finally waning.
His blockbuster return to Manchester United ended with no trophies and an acrimonious exit, while his first season in Saudi Arabia ended without a league title. But that wasn’t always the case. In his prime, the Portuguese forward was a serial winner and was so often the man for the big occasion.
And so Shakira may have been better off NOT stoking the fire during a tempestuous El Clasico match in 2011. During his time in the Spanish capital, he won a host of silverware including two La Liga titles, four Champions League crowns and two Copa Del Reys.
It was during the first of those cup triumphs where Shakira - who was until last year the partner of Barcelona star Gerard Pique - got a glimpse into Ronaldo’s relentless pursuit of success.
It was during the Copa del Rey final in the 2010/11 campaign that Ronaldo ended up silencing Shakira, during a tempestuous Barcelona and Real Madrid clash in Valencia.
Due to her previous relationship with Pique, the Colombian pop sensation has been a regular at El Clasico clashes down the years and was seen laughing in the crowd via the big screen after Ronaldo had spurned a golden opportunity in extra-time. However, Ronaldo had the last laugh just five minutes later when he powered home a cross from Angel di Maria to win the match and end Real's 18-year drought in the competition.
Unsurprisingly, the hilarious clip of Shakira's contrasting reactions at the Mestella Stadium went viral and has resurfaced many times in recent years. As for Real, they didn't have to wait anywhere near as long for their next triumph in the competition, as they won the trophy again just two years later.
Ronaldo bagged an incredible 15 trophies during his remarkable spell at the Bernabeu before he eventually left the club to seek a new challenge in Italy with Juventus back in the summer of 2018.
He guided Juve to two Serie A titles during his three-year stay at the Allianz Stadium before he made headlines with his blockbuster return to the Premier League and Manchester United in 2021.
But after a first campaign which saw him score 24 times in all competitions, his relationship with the club rapidly deteriorated. New boss Erik ten Hag decided that his project didn't necessarily include the five-time Balon d'Or winner as a definite starter.
After months of sniping, tantrums and strops, he left Old Trafford under a cloud following an explosive warts-and-all interview with Piers Morgan. Declaring he had 'conquered European football' he left for the riches of Saudi Arabia and joined Al-Nassr.
As for Pique, he called time on his own storied career in November. Ending as one of Barcelona's most successful players in their history.
