Cristiano Ronaldo’s very strange habit mocked after Portugal lost to Uruguay in the World Cup 

Cristiano Ronaldo’s strange habit of pulling his shorts up before launching a free kick has been widely mocked after Portugal’s exit from the World Cup.

The superstar is renowned for his free kicks, including a spectacular one at the end of the Group stage game against Spain that secured a draw for his side.

But the 32-year-old has also attracted attention for his unnerving ritual of standing astride and pulling his shorts up around his crotch during the elaborate preparation.

Ronaldo was widely mocked for his unusual free kick ritual of hiking up his shorts 

The 32-year-old was compared to a dancing baby in this tweet 

The 32-year-old was compared to a dancing baby in this tweet 

Ronaldo's shorts routine was brought to mind Simon from the Inbetweeners pants malfunction 

Ronaldo’s shorts routine was brought to mind Simon from the Inbetweeners pants malfunction 

One observer summed up Ronaldo's night in one tweet 

One observer summed up Ronaldo’s night in one tweet 

 A despairing Portugal fan said Ronaldo's shorts were higher than her hopes for her team 

 A despairing Portugal fan said Ronaldo’s shorts were higher than her hopes for her team 

The match against Uruguay once again saw the Real Madrid player go through the routine.

The Portuguese side fell behind in the first half after Edinson Cavani scored for Uruguay, but Pepe managed to equalise in the 54th minute.

They went 2-1 down when Cavani netted another sensational goal for Uruguay, as they sailed through to the next round.

It was then time for Ronaldo’s signature pre-free kick stance to get the crowd going in Sochi as he pulled his shorts up to prepare for the shot – but it ended up off-target.

That got the memes going with Ronaldo compared to everyone from Sponge Bob, Simon from The Inbetweeners, police officer Joe Swanso from Family Guy and Alan Partridge.

Police officer Joe Swanso from Family Guy sprang to mind for one Twitter user 

Police officer Joe Swanso from Family Guy sprang to mind for one Twitter user 

Of course who could forget Alan Partridge when looking at the Portuguese star 

Of course who could forget Alan Partridge when looking at the Portuguese star 

One observer noted drily that ‘the most he did was pull his shorts up’ while a despairing Portuguese fan said during the game Ronaldo’s shorts were higher that her hopes for the game.

According to former Manchester United coach Mike Phelan, Ronaldo worked hard on his free kicks when he was at the club – and that included the shorts hiking.

‘People used to put the ball down, walk away, run up and hit it. He brought in a more dynamic showmanship,’ Phelan told MailOnline.

‘He places the ball down, the concentration level is high, he takes his certain amount of steps back so that his standing foot is in the perfect place to hit the ball in the sweet spot.

‘He is the ultimate showman. He has that slight arrogance.

‘When he pulls those shorts up and shows his thighs, he is saying “All eyes on me” and this is going in.

‘He understands the marketing side of it. The way he struts up and places it; the world is watching him.’

 



Read more at DailyMail.co.uk