Updated - Adds reactions to the goal, below - 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.

"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."

Media and sporting greats hail Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo was described as a different species and even earned praise from basketball great LeBron James after his jaw-dropping bicycle kick.

"What planet did you come from?," asked the front cover of daily AS as it depicted Ronaldo's awesome strike.

Spanish newspaper Marca simply hailed the acrobatic strike as "The Goal" on its front cover. Inside, it described Ronaldo as "Di Stefano 2.0", highlighting that Real had not beaten Juventus away since the late Alfredo di Stefano scored the only goal in a 1962 European Cup quarter-final first leg win.

Di Stefano is widely regarded as Madrid's greatest ever player for leading them to five consecutive European Cups. Ronaldo, who is the only player alongside the Argentine to score in at least three European Cup finals, took another step to joining him on the throne with his phenomenal goal.

"Cristiano Ronaldo can now leave earth and start playing against the Martians. He has done everything here," tweeted former Real team mate Alvaro Arbeloa after the goal, which even prompted Juventus supporters to rise to their feet in applause.

Cristiano Ronaldo can now leave earth and start playing against the Martians. He has done everything here

Real coach Zinedine Zidane clinched the club's ninth European Cup with a whirlwind volley against Bayer Leverkusen in 2002 although the Frenchman admitted he was "a little bit jealous" of Ronaldo's thumping strike.

There was even recognition from a giant of a different sport as three-time NBA champion James of the Cleveland Cavaliers joined in the praise, telling Ronaldo in a post on Instagram: "that's not even fair".