Turin: Cristiano Ronaldo thanked Juventus fans who applauded his stunning bicycle kick goal for Real Madrid against the Italian side on Tuesday and said he had been hoping for a long time to score in such spectacular fashion.

"Obviously people are talking about my second goal... It was a spectacular goal, possibly the best of my career," he said in a video posted on several Spanish websites after the Champions League tie in Turin.

"I scored once for the national team with a bicycle kick, which hit the post and went in, but this was a bit better," said the Portugal forward.

"I had been looking to score a goal like that for a long time but it depends on the circumstances of the match. Sometimes, it doesn't work, but you always have to try. I tried and I scored."

Ronaldo's goal, when he met Dani Carvajal's cross with an incredible overhead kick, was the second in Real's 3-0 win in the quarter final first leg and was applauded by the home fans.

The timing was perfect while the athleticism, worthy of a youngster more than a 33-year-old, ridiculed suggestions that the record-amassing Portugal forward is past his prime.

"This was one of the nicest moments," he said. "To be applauded by the Juventus stadium, where so many great footballers have played, is a top moment for me. It's something that stays in your heart...I want to thank all the Italians who were here in the stadium and applauded me."

Real coach Zinedine Zidane, once a player of extraordinary gifts himself, looked dumbstruck at the audacity of Cristiano's goal.

"Actually, I need to say that Cristiano has also missed some chances on Tuesday, at least two, but that's football" said perfectionist Zidane, who played for both clubs.

"Which was better, that goal or my volley (for Real) in the Champions League final against Bayer Leverkusen (in 2002)? Definitely mine," he joked, before paying tribute to Ronaldo.

"He shows every time that he is a special player. He always wants to do great things in the Champions League and he never gets tired of doing it, that's his great quality."

"You can say he's one of the most beautiful players in the history of football," said Zidane.

"It's not easy to get three goals past Juve on their own pitch. But in the end it was teamwork, you have to work as a team to get this result. Of course Juventus aren't happy with the result, but I will always have Juve in my heart," added Zidane

Real captain Sergio Ramos said the applause from the Juve fans was "the prize of everyone giving him recognition for so many years at this level."

Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri, on the other hand, wished his team had found Ronaldo on an off-night.

"I can't fault the lads for anything, we bumped into an extraordinary team and probably the best player in the world," he said.

"When you play against sides like this, you need a little bit of luck and, more than anything else, to meet Ronaldo on a bad night."

Buffon, the victim, was typically generous in his praise.

"We saw what Ronaldo is and always has been - an extraordinary champion who, alongside (Barcelona's) Lionel Messi, is reaching the biggest heights," he said.

"They should be compared to Diego Maradona and Pele for the way they ultimately are able to decide the matches and trophies won by their teams."

"I feel great regret and disappointment," added the 40-year-old.

"Because we probably won't be able to go forward in the tournament and that is a regret, a big regret, but it's also true that when you meet certain opponents, you must have a clear enough head to recognise they are objectively stronger."