The extent to which Real Madrid rely on Cristiano Ronaldo was highlighted on Saturday when the Spanish giants slumped to a goalless draw against minnows Osasuna.
Without the skill and power that the suspended Ronaldo would have provided, the reigning La Liga champions looked limp and uninspired.
The Portuguese player will be available for Real’s next match but doubt over whether he will still be at the club next season remains.
When the Portuguese player left Manchester United in 2009 he claimed that wearing the white kit of Real was a childhood dream of his. It must now seem like he is in the grips of a nightmare.
Ronaldo made it clear at the beginning of the season that he was not happy at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium. Though he has not since revealed anything else about his feelings, it is unlikely that his opinion has changed.
While Madrid will be devastated to see him leave, Ronaldo might not feel the same way. Lacklustre performances by his team on the pitch, dressing room unrest and a lack of adoration from the fans may have changed the way he views the club he loved as a youngster while playing in the streets of Madeira.
Ronaldo almost single-handedly beat Barcelona to the La Liga title last year. His strength, determination and pace dragged Real Madrid across the line.
For this reason he should have won the Ballon d’Or – despite Lionel Messi being the marginally better player.
His ruthlessness and accuracy have pulled Madrid out of the fire on countless occasions and his importance to Los Merengues cannot be undervalued.
He will however inevitably compare his situation to Messi’s.
The little Argentine has the love of his club and it’s fans. He consistently wins titles with Barcelona and reaps the personal accolades.
He also plays in a system that brings the best out of his talent. Ronaldo has to play amid Jose Mourinho’s often defensive tactics and has not won nearly enough titles that his talent deserves.
His brashness and bluntness is the antithesis of Messi’s humility and subtleness and his contribution to their rivalry is often viewed negatively.
When Ronaldo returns to Old Trafford for the Champions League match next month he will be reminded of happier times, of days when he was once considered the best, had recently won titles, European and domestic, and was adored by his home supporters.
He might even have a twinge of regret.
The forward has previously stated his love for his former club and probably dreams of pulling on the famous red shirt once again.
Reality, however, won’t allow that. Although Sir Alex Ferguson would love to have him back, it is highly unlikely that Manchester United can afford him. In an ironic twist, Ronaldo’s brilliance for Madrid has made him too expensive for most clubs to even consider signing him.
If he did want to leave Spain, a wealthy club in China or Russia would be willing to splash the cash at him. But Ronaldo is a man driven by ego and that ego needs to be fed by playing for a club that has both history and prestige and will challenge for major titles.
PSG, to an extent, can provide all of those criteria. A move to Paris from traditional giants Man United and Real Madrid will still feel like a downgrade though.
I wonder if Ronaldo’s temperament could handle that?
jacket
Guest
If you were a teamate of CR, you would probably like to play on the same team as him but if you were a team mate of LM you would love to play on the same team as him. As others have alluded, CR is more individual, whereas LM is more collective in their approaches but both are the best individual players in the world, its just unfortunate for CR that he came along at the same time as LM.
Dadiggle
Guest
Ronaldo is being capped by the system Madrid plays. At United they won the league and the CL using a no striker formation. Ronaldo, Rooney, and Tevez simply rotated where one of them played as a false nine. Ronaldo do not play for himself. He plays for the team. If he do not play or score Madrid struggle to score or win. He also did not have a David Villa running in front of him to lay it off or creative accurate passers like Xavi, Iniesta or Busquets. Messi don't need to be physical as the speed he can move his feet makes up for that. At times it looks like the ball is glued to his feet. What makes people like Messi more is cause Ronaldo dives a lot to draw a foul. Messi gets hacked every game but he tries to stay on his feet than to go down easily.
AndyMack
Guest
Boohoo, I want to play here, i want to play there..... Ego is out of control with so many of these guys, it is making it very hard for me to follow with any passion at all. Get a grip, and play with passion for your team.
Vinny Mathe
Roar Rookie
True that.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
there is a huge Portuguese community in Paris and he would be a semi-god there. But agree than ancelotti or who else is in charge then would have to manage the egos.
robbiethewanderer
Guest
"Dream to A nightmare" What a load of rubbish. For every Portuguese player (and Latin American) the dream is to play in la liga. Anywhere else is is simply.below standard. Only now is the epl getting close. Fyi - real Madrid should have won by three just like Chelsea v qpr sometimes it doesn't happen on the day. That's football!
Punter
Guest
There is no doubt that they are both different characters as well as different players. Messi is more a creative genius, has great vision & extraordinary skill & he does it with pace is, as good as there has been, which allows him be a creator & a finisher. Ronaldo while also blessed with these same attributes, but does not have it to Messi's level, but what gets Ronaldo closer to Messi than all other players is his physical attributes, his shooting ability, his speed & his height, which are all greater than Messi's, which allows him (Ronaldo) to be more individualistic. Hence why Messi 4 Ballon B'ors to Ronaldo's 1. Their characters are different, Messi is far more humbler than Ronaldo, who craves personal success greater than team success. However, both players have the right attitude to go with their natural ability (Ronaldo was always the last one to leave training at Man U). Neither players have had too much controversy (ala Maradona) off the field as well. We are blessed to have 2 absolute superstars playing football as the same time & we should appreciate their play. I can understand why some aren't loving Ronaldo because of his 'love me' personality, but I for one love his ability & admire all the hard work he has put in, he is my favourite player & I ain't no Man U fan.
midfielder
Guest
With rogic going we have a spot at the mariners
Australian Rules
Guest
When Ronaldo scores, for Real or even for Portugal, the celebrations are always somewhat muted by his teammates (certainly in comparison to when someone else scores). Messi's quality makes all those around him better - Ronaldo is solely focussed on making himself the star. He has extraordinary speed and talent - no question - but his "me me me" attitude is often boorish, childish and indulgent. He'll always be employed...but he'll never be loved...or maybe even liked.
Justin Cormick
Roar Guru
PSG or Man City are really the only clubs he can go to and still get payed lots and play competitively. But I cant see him fitting in very well at Paris with the likes of Ibra, or in City where the fans may not want him.
Justin Cormick
Roar Guru
PSG or Man City are really the only clubs he can go to and still get payed lots and play competitively. But I cant see him fitting in very well at Paris with the likes of Ibra, or in City where the fans may not want him.
FTR
Guest
"They used to say going to Man City was a “downgrade” And it still is.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
Mate as a PSG fan I hope you're right but still have big doubts they can attract such a name. Sure the Qatari who now own the club have unlimited funds but the Messi and Ronaldo can get this kind of money anywhere, unlike Moura, Lavezzi or even Ibra who got bought over their real value.
pete4
Guest
They used to say going to Man City was a "downgrade". Ronaldo (and possibly Mourinho) will be at PSG next season As I write this looks like Ronaldo now wants to stay at RM until his contract runs out in 2015 http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/football/cristiano-ronaldo-wants-to-see-out-contract-at-real-madrid/story-fnddgn65-1226553987961