'Messi can't do that': Cristiano Ronaldo powers home header to secure Juventus victory on injury return

Cristiano Ronaldo once again showed his worth to Italian champions Juventus as he powered home a second-half header to secure three points in a 2-0 win against SPAL after recovering from an adductor injury on Saturday.

Ronaldo added the second goal of the game with a far-post header from a Paulo Dybala cross to extend Juventus' unbeaten start in Serie A as Maurizio Sarri's men continue to march towards what would be a ninth successive Scudetto. Miralem Pjanic gave Juventus the lead with a stunning curling strike just prior to halftime.

Also on rt.com

The Portuguese was forced to miss Juventus' recent win against Brescia because of the niggling thigh injury but was declared fit to compete on Saturday and put in a typically industrious performance, playing all 90 minutes in the process.

The goal - the 697th of his career - prompted controversial UK figure Piers Morgan to claim on social media that "Messi can't do that", referring to the Ronaldo's finish.

Morgan recently conducted an interview with Ronaldo and has been vocal in his support of the five time Ballon d'Or winner since it was released online, which could in part explain his 'trolling' of Lionel Messi on Twitter.

???????? Messi can’t do that... #AirRonaldo @Cristiano https://t.co/PDZmmq94CG

— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) September 28, 2019

Cristiano Ronaldo's heat-map for the season 2019-20.

"Sits in the box for 90 minutes."

"Just a poacher."pic.twitter.com/JXxK9U0EQA

— Mu. (@FutbolMuu) September 28, 2019

That should be the exclamation point. @Cristiano, lacking fitness and subsequently struggling all game, still manages to score and settle the game for Juventus. ????

— Arjun Pradeep (@IndianRegista) September 28, 2019

Cristiano Ronaldo is now just 3 GOAL away from scoring 700 GOALS.

???? pic.twitter.com/VHxZhYL9VN

— TeamCRonaldo (@TeamCRonaldo) September 28, 2019

Cristiano Ronaldo vs SPAL:

- 1 goal
- 5 shots on target
- 4 key passes
- 3 big chances created
- 3 dribbles completed
- 7 duels won
- 60 touches
- MOTM ⭐️pic.twitter.com/pUw6u1z8Ac

— TeamCRonaldo (@TeamCRonaldo) September 28, 2019

While the Ronaldo vs. Messi debate will no doubt continue to rage so long as both are active players, others took to Twitter to highlight Ronaldo's work rate on the pitch and his effectiveness as a goalscoring threat - particularly in a game in which he was supposedly lacking fitness.

Coincidentally, Lionel Messi is also currently struggling with an adductor injury which looks set to rule him out of action at Barcelona for their next fixture and judging by Saturday's evidence in the Allianz Stadium, the bar has very much been set on how one returns from such an ailment. 

Also on rt.com