Cristiano Ronaldo’s shots pack a punch – just ask the world's top goalkeepers – but teammate Sami Khedira felt the full force of the Juventus striker when he took a misdirected shot to his face.
The pair were in action for Juve in their Serie A clash at Sassuolo on Sunday, with German midfielder Khedira opening the scoring on 23 minutes, turning home a rebound after a Ronaldo shot had been saved.
Pressing for a second goal on 61 minutes, the ball was fizzed in to Ronaldo on the edge of the box, only for it to bounce up onto the Juve number 7’s hand.
In apparent frustration at the infringement, the Portuguese star lashed wildly at the ball, sending it directly at Khedira’s head.
The midfielder went down in a heap clutching his face as Ronaldo raised a hand in apology.
The Portuguese then cantered over with a smile on his face to check that his teammate was OK – with Khedira still down on the turf.
The German dusted himself off to continue, but was substituted five minutes later by Juve boss Massimiliano Allegri and replaced by Rodrigo Bentancur.
Ronaldo did get his goal when he headed in a Miralem Pjanic corner on 70 minutes – his 20th of the season – before Emre Can sealed it with a late third goal.
After the game, Khedira joked about the KO from Cristiano, posting a picture of pair hugging but writing: “Thanks for the headache tonight.”
Ronaldo’s goal was his 18th in Serie A, putting him top of the league’s scoring charts, while Juve sit 11 points clear at the top of the table as they chase an eighth title in a row.
While he took out teammate Khedira with his wayward strike, Ronaldo's goal celebration earned him praise from fans as a supportive gesture toward one fellow Juve player.
Ronaldo covered his face in the trademark ‘Gladiator mask’ style made famous by forward Paulo Dybala, who has struggled with just two goals in 20 games this season.
On an eventful night, the former Real Madrid ace also had to deal with the attentions of an exuberant shirtless pitch invader, who charged at Ronaldo in celebration, getting a brief hug before being led away.
Juve are next in action against relegation-threatened Frosinone on Friday, before their attentions turn to the Champions League and their last-16 first leg fixture away at Atletico Madrid next week.
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