MADRID: The world’s most expensive footballer Cristiano Ronaldo got off the mark for his club Real Madrid here on Tuesday as they ran out 4-2 winners over Ecuadorean side Liga de Quito in the Peace Cup.
The 23-year-old Portuguese star — who cost Real around £80mil when he joined from Manchester United — won and then converted a penalty in the 48th minute as Real set up a semi-final tomorrow with Italian giants Juventus.
However, it was one of Real’s less high profile signings of the close season Esteban Granero otherwise known as El Pirata or The Pirate, bought from Getafe, who stole the show with a goal and created another for German international defender Christoph Metzelder.
It will have come as something of a relief to both the Real fans and Ronaldo himself that he showed some semblance of form as he had failed to shine in the first few friendlies including a 1-0 win over Irish semi-professional outfit Shamrock Rovers last week and had been taken off at half-time.
There was one concern for Real as another of their signings French international striker Karim Benzema — who scored the goal against Shamrock Rovers — limped off on the hour mark after shooting with his right leg.
Juventus had earlier become the first team into the last four when they disposed of South Korean side Seongnam 3-0.
Brazilian playmaker Diego — a €24.5mil signing from German side Werder Bremen in May — was the architect of their victory creating the first goal for Vincenzo Iaquinta, then scored the second in the 53rd minute while Nicola Legrottaglie added the third 20 minutes from full-time
