Cristiano Ronaldo's Powerful Header against Manchester United: Hilarious Internet Memes of Real Madrid Star [PHOTOS]

Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo scored a powerful header against old club Manchester United last week, in the first leg of a knock-out round Champions League tie between the two clubs. The match finished 1-1 but more than the result, the 28-year-old Portuguese international's powerful leap has become an internet sensation.

The Daily Mail reports that his jumping abilities were measured, biomechanically, by the University of Chichester in 2011. The results were astounding: he generates 5G of force when he jumps (five times more than a cheetah at top speed), he jumps 44cm from a standing start and 78cm with a run-up and can jump 7cm more than the average NBA basketball player.

Ronaldo signed for Madrid and has been an absolutely key element in recent seasons but he has made no secret of the fact he remains attached to United. And that was why he did not celebrate his goal against Sir Alex Ferguson's side.

"I didn't celebrate the goal because Old Trafford is a home where I played for six years, and I arrived there as almost a kid," he told The Sun, "It's not about not celebrating. I want to win but I respect the people of Manchester. If I left Madrid for another team one day, I would not celebrate against Real. It was beautiful and emotional to play against my family. We created but did not finish off our chances, and this is wide open for the return match. We go there to score goals and go through. No big deal. We shouldn't change the plan we have because we always have the initiative and we will try to win at Old Trafford."

"I didn't see the replay of my goal but I will. They told me it was a beautiful goal. This 1-1 is not perfect but it's a good result. It was a good game. United are a very good team defensively and created a few problems for us. But I believe Real played better and we deserved to score one or two more goals," he added.

Meanwhile, take a look at the funniest memes on Cristiano Ronaldo's leap that have gone viral on social media...