Ronaldo at Real: Living Up to the Hype
Real Madrid triumphed 2-0 at the Bernabeu over Valencia on Saturday to come within one point of Barcelona at the top of La Liga. The match further elucidated the gulf between second and third and provided yet more evidence on the team’s dependency on Cristiano Ronaldo.
Starting on the right hand side and given the license to roam, Ronaldo hit his stride immediately. He hugged the nearside and stretched Valencia’s typically narrow defence, isolating the vulnerable Alba in the first attack of the match. This proved a recurring pattern of the first half as Ronaldo engineered chances for Guti, Van der Vaart and Alonso as well as testing a resilient Cesar from distance on several occasions. Real’s dominance turned into goals when Higuain and, inevitably, Ronaldo slotted home either side of half time to leave Valencia twenty four points behind their opponents in the league. Although in the context of the season it is an unspectacular result and an easily forgettable performance, the truth is that Ronaldo’s potency and continuing success is a broken record that the football world seems to find monotonous.
Prior to kick off it was released that the one millionth Cristiano Ronaldo number 9 shirt had been purchased. At forty Euros each Los Blancos have recouped almost half the astronomical transfer fee just on shirt sales. As if the pressure of such popularity had taken its toll on the forward, he netted his twentieth league goal in twenty three starts (his twenty seventh goal in twenty eight appearances in all competitions for Madrid). Though it is tempting to reel off the Portuguese winger’s astounding goal scoring form over the past four seasons, I would much rather colour this piece with some context.
Many would think it ideal that a player with Ronaldo’s personality move to a club whose ethos is entrenched in the celebrity of the individual. One would think that becoming the most expensive player in history, being welcomed by an unprecedented 80,000 madridistas upon his unveiling, and given the phenomenal short term expectations that accompany any business done by Real, perhaps his focus may have been jaded. Perhaps the media juggernaut set into motion would prove too much for just one player, however sure of himself he makes out. But as he has shown since his debut against Deportivo all the way through to the weekend display against Valencia, this man has an unswerving belief in himself that compliments the effrontery of his genius. His seamless transition from the Premier League to La Liga has been underplayed by the press in this country. I have been drawn into many discussions with friends who truculently suggest he hasn’t been a hit in Spain, that Real’s ignominious exit from the Copa Del Rey and the Champions League is indicative of his failure. Couple that ignorance with the domination of Barcelona (both domestically and in Europe) and the sumptuous Lionel Messi and we have Ronaldo’s brash brilliance relegated to the backburner of the football world.
A fact I find troubling is that given the truly remarkable performances of Lionel Messi over the past few months (though to any watcher of Spanish football, it has been the past two years) pundits, writers and fans alike feel the need to castigate Ronaldo whilst extolling Messi and fuel the ‘greatest player on the planet’ debate. In our attempt to quantify talent we marginalise countless factors that contribute to the success of each player. When all parties are retired then the merits of these questions can be analysed but, for now, instead of focusing on a fickle debate which is led by sensationalism in the media – Iniesta was dubbed ‘the best’ twelve months ago, Xavi was suddenly rediscovered as a contender by the online community after his majestic and commanding outing versus Madrid (as though he hasn’t been this good for the last few years) – is it not enough to simply witness such excellence and praise a player anymore? Messi’s brilliance does not sour Ronaldo’s class. The greatness of one does not diminish the greatness of another.
The truth for Madrid is that in a team historically made up of individuals, he has become the individual. Pellegrini began the season configuring a system that accommodated his new stars and as the games continued to roll by it was Ronaldo’s output and demeanour, his on field magnetism, and his startling potency that has established him as the heart beat of Real Madrid. The world expected him to deliver and it is now almost an anticlimax that he has done so. Arguably, nothing could be a finer compliment to the player’s talent; no one is surprised that he continues to perform.
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I’m glad there’s someone still appreciating the level of this man. People pick on his personality too much but no-one in their right mind can fault his dedication to the game and determination to achieve everything on an individual and collective level.
Another insightful read.
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To add an opinion from Spain: Ronaldo is suited perfectly to Real as his personality fits the club’s and the fans absolutely adore him for his belief in himself. He’s been nothing short of phenomenal for Real all season and has been their standout performer, well above Higuain who misses a number of easy chances before each goal. Proving well worth the money Real spent on him!
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Great summarisation on the Ronaldo at Real situation. The ‘best player in the world’ debate will rage for as long as football is played. The real proving ground is the world cup, it is the biggest stage, has the most tradition and is generally where the best prove themselves. Ronaldo vs Messi vs Rooney vs Xavi vs whoever else, 2010 South Africa is the one!
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Yeah yeah we get it Ronaldo’s a very good player. Ofcourse Lionel Messi and Barcelona are going to get all the plaudits, they are actually winning trophies! It’s only natural ‘Ronaldo’s brash brilliance (be) relegated to the backburner of the football world.’ It’s no coincidence Messi is playing in a team arguably playing some of the best football ever seen and Ronaldo in a team full of individuals, his egotism off the pitch translates onto it, he only looks out for himself, he would struggle to play for Barcelona because that would involve him actually passing the ball. Why is it ‘inevitable’ when Ronaldo scores and not when Higuain scores? Has he not scored the same amount of goals as Ronaldo with just one more game to his name? It;s a wonder how he scored so many goals with everone on the team only passing to Ronaldo!
Too many people cough mark greenwood cough have just bought into the Ronaldo brand! Mark did you just move to Spain because Ronaldo did?
p.s Shirt revenues doesnt translate to how talented a player is otherwise Park ji sun and nakata would be pretty high on the all time top players list!
Brilliant article by the way
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Cannot believe the blinkered “PL is undoubtedly the best league in the world” crowd dismiss Ronaldo the moment he has left these shores. Typical English sentiment. Ronaldo has quite clearly proven that he is a world-class player in both leagues, you’ve hit the nail on the head with this article Sam!
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Ronaldo is a world class player, but not the best in the world, messi holds that title. Ronaldo has excelled in the spanish league, many thought he couldnt cut it abroad but has proven them wrong. He’s a great talent.
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Can’t say much other than great article lol
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The Situation; I’ve lived in Spain for nearing 15 years so unless Ronaldo secretly lived in Spain then and was secretly famous I don’t believe that is why I moved over here.
Plus, I personally can’t stand Ronaldo and would never praise him if it wasn’t warranted
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Good article.
He’s definitely been huge for Real this season and one of the reasons he’s put down the ‘greatest player’ debate is because of his attitude.
In comparison Messi is a more likeable character, but as you say one’s greatness shouldn’t diminish another’s.
I hate Ronaldo, he has a punchable face, but he is undoubtedly a great player and exciting to watch.
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to db: there is an I in team…in french the world is l’equipe!
Having read two articles from this guy iv got to say he speaks the gospel when it comes to football.
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