When Crıstıano Ronaldo joined Real Madrid in 2009, the club were passing through the worst crisis in their Championship history having not been able to make it past the last 16 stage since 2005.
They were knocked out, year after, and in fact after Ronaldo’s arrıval, Real had to put another year of disappointment before they got back on track in Europe
According to Marca.com without the goals from Ronaldo it is impossible to explain Real's success in the Champions League over the past eight years, where they have picked up three titles and achieved seven consecutive semi finals, while they are on the verge of an eighth now barring a major upset at home to Juventus.
It is impossible not to be influential in a team when you have scored 97 goals in eight games and that is the stark reality at Madrid where Ronaldo has helped mark a golden period in the club's history.
Ronaldo ended the club's failures in the last 16 by his scoring feats having notched up 6, 10, 12, 17, 10, 16, 12 and 14 each season since 2010/11 when they reached the semi final.
He is still writing history with his ambition seemingly without limits and he is on course to break his own record of 17 goals in a Champions League season, that he achieved in the 2013/14 campaign. Ronaldo has scored in each game in Europe and is three off his record with at least two more games to play if Real do get past Juve.
As with previous seasons, Ronaldo makes the difference with his performances and for example against Paris Saint-Germain they would hve probably ended up going to extra time.
The last example of his value was against Juventus and his double in Turin which sees Real with a foot and a half in the semi finals.
Allegri's players were aware of the danger that Ronaldo posed after his performances in the tie against PSG and of course the last time he faced Juve in last season's final, but on the night he was unstoppable and crowned his display with a spectacular overhead kick.
With the confidence and belief that comes with their success in the Champions League over recent year, there is little reason to think that Real will come unstuck now at home at the Bernabeu where they usually offer their best form.
In the knock out stage recently, Real have not just managed to get through but they have done so comfortably. Now it just remains for Zidane's player to do their work and then be set for another semi final.