For most Spanish soccer fans Saturday September 11th will be remembered as the day that Barçelona lost at home to recently promoted Hércules while Real Madrid and Jose Mourinho took advantage of the slip up to over take their rivals on the table for the first time since the ‘special one’ arrived in Spain.
But something far more important happened on that day as the Bernabéu whistled at Cristiano Ronaldo for the first time. The sound was loud and continued enough to reach the Portuguese striker's ears and more importantly his EGO.
The question is will it be the last he hears from the Madrid faithful?
If Mesut Özil continues performing the way he did against Osasuna, Real win a couple of matches in a row and Barcelona keep on a low level, maybe all this will be history in a couple of weeks. But if not, Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez could be living a quite odd situation.
Ronaldo was not only the most expensive player in the history of the club at a price tag of 96 million euros, he was also the most desired. The fans felt really frustrated after being unable to sign him in 2008 and waited patiently for him for an entire season. They were sure he would be the end of all the club's problems.
And in some ways they were proved right. Although the team's performance was very disappointing last season, Ronaldo stood up to expectations. If Real Madrid were able to struggle behind Barça until the final matches, it was thanks to the Portuguese international. If you can say something good about the Bernabéu's crowd is that they appreciate quality and effort and are thankful when it is displayed on the pitch. Raúl and Guti know much about that.
After an entire season in Real Madrid, Ronaldo has proved his quality. Some people even say that he his price was cheap compared to all the money he has raised for the club. But the Portuguese may have failed the most important exam: conquering the hearts of Real Madrid's fans. Unlike many people may think, arrogance is not appreciated in Bernabéu. You only have to take a look at the crowd's latest idols to realize that: Juanito, Butragueño, Raúl...
Until now, Ronaldo's arrogant style was only tolerated because of the fact that he was almost the only top quality player in the squad. But things have changed quite a bit this year.
While players like Özil and especially the young Spaniard Sergio Canales are focusing their great skills and talent on the team, Ronaldo seems obsessed with individual glory. He is constantly trying endless dribbling and improbable far shots on goal. Some times it looks as if he was playing a match against himself, against the world.
Last year the crowd put up with all that because they thought they had no other choice to keep up with Barça, but, if he doesn't change, this year they could start thinking that his game is harmful for the team.
His quotes the day after the match, saying that the crowd should cheer instead of complaining, are not going to help him. The fans are paying up to 35% more for their season tickets and, until know, are far from happy with the team's performance, so they feel that they have all the right to complain. The Champions League is a whole different story in Bernabéu. Unless there is a catastrophe, there will be no complains against Ajax, but I am looking forward to the next League match in Bernabéu. Will this be the beginning of the end between RM and CR?
HAVE YOUR SAY…
Will Ronaldo’s attitude come back to hurt his image? Or will his performance on the pitch get him a pass to act as he pleases?
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