Cristiano Ronaldo’s 2007/08 season was footballing perfection. With 42 goals, he fired United to a Premier League and Champions League double, while winning the Ballon d’Or. Here’s a countdown of his top ten matches that defined the campaign, from overlooked gems to historic masterpieces.
🔟 Manchester United 1–0 Sunderland
📅 26 December 2007 – Premier League
⚽ Ronaldo: 1 goal (45’)
➡️ Why #10: A scrappy Boxing Day fixture that could easily be forgotten, yet Ronaldo produced a stunning long-range strike to seal all three points. It showed his ability to turn tight, uninspiring games into wins — an underrated hallmark of his season.
9️⃣ Manchester United 2–1 Tottenham Hotspur
📅 27 January 2008 – FA Cup Fourth Round
⚽ Ronaldo: 1 goal (69’ pen.)
➡️ Why #9: Not the flashiest, but Ronaldo’s composure from the penalty spot saved United from an upset. His direct running and confidence ensured United advanced — a clutch contribution, though overshadowed by bigger games later in the season.
8️⃣ Manchester United 4–0 Arsenal (FA Cup)
📅 16 February 2008 – FA Cup Fifth Round
⚽ Ronaldo: 1 goal (39’)
➡️ Why #8: United dominated Arsenal, and though Nani dazzled, Ronaldo was relentless with his runs and clinical finishing. A big-game performance that reinforced United’s superiority, but slightly forgotten since United didn’t go on to win the FA Cup.
7️⃣ Manchester United 2–0 Blackburn Rovers
📅 11 November 2007 – Premier League
⚽ Ronaldo: 2 goals (35’, 55’)
➡️ Why #7: This was a typical Ronaldo masterclass — two goals, endless energy, and total domination. It’s underrated in the grand picture, but at the time it was the game that put him firmly in the Golden Boot race.
6️⃣ Manchester United 2–1 Arsenal (Premier League)
📅 13 April 2008 – Premier League
⚽ Ronaldo: 1 goal (54’ pen.)
➡️ Why #6: High stakes, high pressure. Ronaldo calmly slotted a penalty in a tense title-decider. While Owen Hargreaves’ free-kick won it, Ronaldo’s goal was vital in swinging momentum. A true “season-defining” contribution.
5️⃣ Manchester United 2–0 Bolton Wanderers
📅 19 March 2008 – Premier League
⚽ Ronaldo: 2 goals (9’, 19’)
➡️ Why #5: Wearing the captain’s armband for the first time, Ronaldo delivered a captain’s performance. His thunderous free-kick and clinical second showed leadership and maturity. It wasn’t just flair — it was responsibility.
4️⃣ Manchester United 2–0 Roma (Champions League)
📅 1 April 2008 – Quarter-final 1st Leg
⚽ Ronaldo: 1 goal (39’)
➡️ Why #4: A famous away night in Europe. Ronaldo’s header silenced the Stadio Olimpico and gave United total control of the tie. It summed up his evolution into a player for the biggest occasions, not just domestic domination.
3️⃣ Manchester United 1–0 Lyon (Champions League)
📅 4 March 2008 – Round of 16 2nd Leg
⚽ Ronaldo: 1 goal (41’)
➡️ Why #3: With the tie on a knife’s edge, Ronaldo provided the only goal of the night. A pressure-filled European knockout game decided by him alone — this was the season where he became the man for clutch Champions League moments.
2️⃣ Manchester United 6–0 Newcastle United
📅 12 January 2008 – Premier League
⚽ Ronaldo: Hat-trick (49’, 70’, 88’)
➡️ Why #2: His first Manchester United hat-trick — and what a one. Ronaldo’s goals came from all ranges and styles, displaying his complete arsenal of finishing. It was the definitive sign he had transformed from winger to world-class forward.
1️⃣ Manchester United 1–1 Chelsea (6–5 pens.) – Champions League Final
📅 21 May 2008 – Moscow
⚽ Ronaldo: 1 goal (26’)
➡️ Why #1: The grandest stage. Ronaldo’s header gave United the lead in Moscow, and though he missed in the penalty shootout, his influence across 120 minutes was immense. He finished the tournament as top scorer (8 goals) and left with the trophy that completed his legendary season. This match is remembered as his crowning glory in red.
🎖 Ronaldo’s 2007/08 Legacy
Appearances: 49
Goals: 42
Assists: 8
Premier League Top Scorer: 31
Champions League Top Scorer: 8
Trophies: Premier League, Champions League, Community Shield
Individual Awards: PFA Player of the Year, FWA Player of the Year, European Golden Shoe, Ballon d’Or
Cristiano Ronaldo’s 2007/08 season wasn’t just a peak for Manchester United — it was one of the greatest individual seasons in football history. From clutch league goals to Champions League heroics, he delivered time and again, cementing his place among the sport’s immortals.
