The draw was brutal
United got a top club
A team with legends
With trophies
With history
But Cristiano didn't flinch
He studied every match
Every defender
Every weakness
The first leg was away
The stadium packed
Chants loud
Flares burning red in the sky
Cristiano jogged onto the pitch like he was at home
Eyes locked
Heart calm
The match started rough
They pressed him hard
Kicked at his ankles
Pulled his shirt
He didn't fall
Didn't react
Just smiled
You'll need more than that
In the 42nd minute
He found space
One touch
Spin
Strike
Goal
Silenced the stadium like someone hit mute
He didn't celebrate
Just stood there
Arms wide
Like saying
You knew this was coming
The match ended 1–1
United had the advantage now
The media went wild
"Cristiano conquers the giants"
"He's not the future
He's the now"
Back in Manchester
The pressure doubled
Everyone expected magic in the second leg
And Cristiano didn't hide from it
He embraced it
In training
He led every sprint
Fixed every mistake
Shouted when the tempo dropped
The team followed
They had no choice
His hunger was louder than words
Match day came
The stadium roared like thunder
United in red
Focused
Ready
Cristiano stood in the tunnel
Head bowed
Mouth whispering
You belong here
Now take it
From the first whistle
He moved like a storm
Created chances
Took hits
Never stopped
In the 70th minute
Score still 0–0
He got the ball on the wing
Step
Cut
Burst
He flew past two defenders
Curled it bottom corner
Goal
Old Trafford exploded
He didn't smile
Didn't scream
He just pointed at the badge
Not for fame
Not for ego
For the dream
They won the match
Moved to the quarterfinals
And suddenly
No one saw him as just a talent anymore
He was becoming a nightmare for Europe