Something
is not right with Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo. Since receiving the FIFA
Golden Ball in January the Portuguese forward has entered an observable "slump"
with his play, & with his goal scoring rate dropping dramatically
(dramatically in his extraordinary case) which has lead to all sorts of
speculation.
The initial
back alley talk was that his break-up with model Irina Shayk was affecting his
"spirits". Others suggested that his ongoing knee complaint was
perhaps halting the forward. However, these only cannot explain his striking external
behaviour, offhand comments & his on field body language gestures that
indicate that there is something more, much deeper niggling away in the
Cristiano Ronaldo conscious.
The obvious
that comes to the surface, that Ronaldo is frustrated with himself & with
his drop in form. The player sets himself Sporting objectives which surpass
most Sportsman, they are perhaps unrealistic & not getting there sets in
high anxiety levels. Added, his main rival FC Barcelona star Lionel Messi has
already surpassed him in the goal scoring area, thus more anxiety to the
already high stress levels.
These
emotions have flowed onto the playing field were we have seen a rise of unsavoury
gestures that go from inner frustration to reprimanding his own team-mates for
their play. Cristiano Ronaldo illustrates his unhappiness on the field, to his team-mates
& in front of the World. Although not publicly said or admitted, this can
only rub up the wrong way his team-mates who see how they must play for Ronaldo
to satisfy his goal scoring hunger. This in the end is counter-productive for
the team as many opportunities are not converted because everyone sacrifices
their play to attempt to satisfy a nagging CR7.
This could
all well be "cheap speculation", but yesterday’s on field gestures by
Cristiano Ronaldo in the Liga match against Levante not only caught the
attention of the more serious Football journalist but also the general public. Cristiano
Ronaldo seemed to be "not amused" when Gareth Bale scored the first
goal of the night after he failed to convert an overhead attempt - by the way,
an apparent obsession with Ronaldo to score a goal in this fashion. The Portuguese
was again "unimpressed" when his shot was slightly deflected by Gareth
Bale who was awarded the goal. Unsportsmanlike? Egoistic? Lack of respect for
his team-mates? I, at this stage, would not go as far & put it down to
frustration with himself & the incredible "bad luck" he was
having in scoring last night.
However, what
caught my attention was something new, & worrying. The Real Madrid fans
whistled Cristiano Ronaldo which caught by surprise their star. Cristiano
Ronaldo in a new act of “showmanship” stood firm, still & looked back at the
crowd in response nodding his head in disbelief, & perhaps full of
indignation. This act was caught by the TV cameras & Ronaldo knew it
perfectly well, he was responding massively & outside the Stadium. At the
end of the match Ronaldo raced off the pitch while the rest of his team-mates
stayed on to clap the support received from their home fans. The Portuguese
magnified his "anger" with his play, with media & with his home
supporters. It now seems the players have a grudge with the rest of the World
& this is not good, this is alarming & could deteriorate if not redirected
into a more positive direction.
Some
Football observers have began putting loose pieces together to determine what
is behind it all. There is a belief in some circles that some third parties are
"putting things" into the head of Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese
Star had dinner with Alex Ferguson after last weeks Champions League game against
Schalke 04. The ex-Manchester United Manager flew to Madrid
to "convince" his pupil to return back to England where he could regain his
level entering the "final turn" of his career. An attractive option
perhaps, with the added bonus for the representative of Ronaldo, Jorge Mendes
who must be calculating the astronomical economic figures that could be
involved in such operation.
This has
put into the light a bad case scenario, that the “inner circle” of Cristiano
Ronaldo (mainly the of figure of Jorge Mendes) has began to scheme & "manipulate
the environment" & the mind of his player to consider a departure from
Real Madrid to Manchester United. The Real Madrid fan base criticism, whistles
& turn of public opinion would be the perfect excuse needed to pull off the
idea. The blessing of a sale by Real Madrid President Florentino Perez cannot
be dismissed at all. Publicly voicing or thinking this is not possible for
Perez, it is unthinkable & a suicide in the face of the Real Madrid fan
base. But Perez knows, like you & me that Cristiano Ronaldo has reached 30+
years of age & that NOW could be the only moment to make a sale with
optimal economic transfer numbers. Fresh cash for Real Madrid that could be reinvested
in younger World class talent - Pogba for example.
At this
point, this sounds more of conspiracy theory than anything else. Getting back
to winning ways, scoring plenty of goals & winning titles (especially the Champions
League) will flash out & eliminate all thoughts & negative vibes from
the head of Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo. But a loss at FC Barcelona next
Sunday with a consequent possible goodbye to the Spanish Liga title, a possible
elimination from the Champions League tournament & a run away Lionel Messi
in the goal scoring tally could all well be enough to lead Ronaldo to pack
his bags & fly off back to Manchester United. If so, there will be people
who would benefit greatly, inside & outside Real Madrid.
Stay tuned!
