Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the most complete goalscorers in world football.
CR7, as he’s affectionately and corporately known, has netted a remarkable 790 goals in his career so far, breaking a bucketload of records along the way at club and international level.
For someone who has found the net so many times, it seems only right that he’d have a trademark celebration.
The 36-year-old is now globally renowned for his ‘Siu’ stance, but what’s the story behind football’s most famous goalscoring celebration?
Cristiano Ronaldo: What is the celebration?
Fans at Old Trafford have really enjoyed seeing Ronaldo do his celebration on a number of occasions this term.
After finding the back of the net, the 36-year-old typically wheels away towards the corner flag before doing a 180-degree pirouette before landing with a firm stance on the turf.
As he hits the ground, Ronaldo outstretches his arms and bellows ‘Siuuu’, which is Spanish for ‘yes’, with fans often joining in to create a booming noise around the stadium.
Cristiano Ronaldo: When was the celebration created?
United fans won’t have seen the ‘Siu’ celebration during his first spell at Old Trafford with Ronaldo revealing in an interview that he created it during his time with Real Madrid.
Explaining the celebration in 2019, he 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, siiiiiiuuuu’.
“I’m like ‘wow! People are reminded of me because of it!’ So it’s good, and I’ll continue doing it like that.”
Cristiano Ronaldo: What has been said about the celebration?
After rejoining United, the celebration was recreated by Jesse Lingard during England’s 4-0 win over Andorra last month.
Speaking after the game, he said: “Me and Mason [Mount] were thinking of celebrations this week and obviously we mixed my celebration with Cristiano’s I said I’d do it.
“Yeah it’s a little welcoming gift [for Ronaldo] but yeah he’ll settle in quickly he’ll help this team brilliantly.
“It feels amazing, always amazing to put on an England shirt but to score and do well for your country is perfect.”
The ‘Siu’ celebration was then controversially recreated by Andros Townsend during Everton’s 1-1 draw with Man United at Old Trafford.
Discussing his reasons for it, Townsend said: “It’s a mark of respect to a guy who influenced my career.
“I spent many hours on the training pitch and in the video room trying to analyse his free-kicks and his stepovers and the way he dedicates himself to football.
“So it wasn’t an imitation, it was a mark of respect to one of my idols. I probably didn’t do the celebration justice and didn’t execute it perfectly.”