The words Cristiano Ronaldo and substitute just don't seem to compute.

When you're one of the greatest players in history, it's not everyday that you're hearing the first whistle from the bench and Ronaldo almost always makes the starting XI, for obvious reasons.

However, even when you're Ronaldo, there are occasions when the manager will take a brave decision to rest him either on grounds of fitness or rotation.

That was the case this week with the 33-year-old settling down on the bench before Juventus' clash with Atalanta, resting him amid a hectic fixture schedule.

In fairness, manager Massimiliano Allegri had suggested the tactical decision for some time, so there wasn't universal bewilderment when the Portuguese was brushed aside.

Ronaldo's heroics vs Atalanta 

Nevertheless, even when you have the resources of Juventus, sometimes you need your star man and the Old Lady shockingly found themselves 2-1 down.

Their unbeaten record in Serie A was suddenly under threat, forcing Allegri to go back on his decision and introduce Ronaldo for the second-half.

It proved to be an inspired decision with Ronaldo bagging himself an equaliser, keeping the 'invincible' run going and sparing any Juventus blushes after Christmas.

Every time Ronaldo saved the day

Naturally then, Ronaldo has been heralded as a footballing saviour back in Turin but it isn't the first time he's saved the day from the bench.

In fact, he's achieved it on at least five occasions during his time with Real Madrid and it even prompted one of his fans to make an entire video about it.

YouTube user MrBundesteam compiled a video called: "5 Times Ronaldo Substituted & Changed The Game," and it's amassed over 11,000,000 views in the last year.

Given Ronaldo's heroics, it's not difficult to see why - check out the clips down below:

Now that's what you call a superb sub.

Whether it's Juventus, Real Madrid or Manchester United, you always have a complete game-changer up your sleeve when Ronaldo is getting some much needed rest.

And his current employers clearly aren't the first ones to bench Ronaldo when they needed him most, but subbed him on just in time to save the day.

Even when you limit his window of opportunity to score, you can bet he'll carve an opening and he very rarely misses.

The above video documents him doing exactly that against Espanyol, Barcelona (twice), LA Galaxy and Deportivo la Coruna.

And after the events of this week, they could certainly edit in his performance against Atalanta because Juventus have plenty to thank him for.

Bench him or start him, Ronaldo always delivers.

Do you think Ronaldo is the best player in the world right now? Have your say in the comments section below.