Cristiano Ronaldo thanks Juventus fans for standing ovation following stunning bicycle kick goal for Real Madrid

Ronaldo scored his 13th and 14th goals of the Champions League this season in the first leg

Cristiano Ronaldo has thanked Juventus fans who gave him a standing ovation after this stunning bicycle kick that helped Real Madrid to establish a 3-0 lead over the Serie A side.

Ronaldo scored twice – the first inside four minutes – to give Real a 2-0 lead before Paulo Dybala was sent off and Marcelo added a third at the Juventus Stadium.

Those three away goals have put Real in a comfortable position heading into the second leg at the Bernabeu next week but it was Ronaldo’s ninth goal against the Italians – more than any other club in Europe – which took all the plaudits after the final whistle.

“Obviously people are talking about my second goal....it was a spectacular goal, possibly the best of my career,” he said. “This was one of the nicest moments. To be applauded by the Juventus stadium, where so many great footballers have played, is a top moment for me.

“It's something that stays in your heart...I want to thank all the Italians who were here in the stadium and applauded me.”

Ronaldo also admitted he had been trying to score a goal as spectacular as that for “a long time” as he notched his 13^th and 14^th goals of the Champions League, leaving him just five off his record of 17 in one season.

“I scored once for the national team with a bicycle kick, which hit the post and went in, but this was a bit better.

“I had been looking to score a goal like that for a long time but it depends on the circumstances of the match. Sometimes, it doesn't' work, but you always have to try. I tried and I scored.

“Great goal. What can I say? Fantastic. I didn’t expect to score that goal but let’s speak about the game. I think the game was amazing, we scored three goals against Juve – a great team. We played nice and of course I am happy I helped the team, I scored two goals. A great night.”