Cristiano Ronaldo: Love Him or Hate Him By Tom Oldfield

June 2008 Issue  Click image to view online issue

Nobody splits opinion quite like Cristiano Ronaldo. Many believe he is currently the best footballer on the planet. Others take a wholly different view, referring to focus on accusations of diving and petulance. One thing is for sure, he is a constant talking point. This season, just like 2006/07, he has inspired Manchester United to the Premiership title and has gone one better by leading the club to win the Champions League against rivals Chelsea. He has scored 42 goals in all competitions and swept all the major end of season awards. So what is the problem? Well, it centres around the attitude with which he plays his football. Some fans are still frustrated by how easily Ronaldo falls to the floor when challenged and how petulantly he responds to opponents attempting to tackle him. He is seen as an example of everything that is wrong with the modern game. Footballers did not used to be like this, they say. But in many ways this is unfair. Firstly, Ronaldo – who will undoubtedly be one of the stars of Euro 2008 in Austria and Switzerland this summer – has cleaned up his act since he arrived in England in the summer of 2003. At first, he

Clearly, Ferguson – and possibly a number of his team-mates – made it clear that this could not go on, especially as it was detracting from his obvious talent. Gradually, improvements have been noticeable and it is also worth remembering that when Ronaldo, who runs as quickly with the ball as without it, is at full speed then the slightest contact will disrupt his balance.

But, unfortunately for him, the reputation has stuck and he is guaranteed endless abuse at every away ground in England. Furthermore, his supreme self-confidence is often mistaken for disrespectful arrogance. Ronaldo does not set out to humiliate defenders; he simply wants to entertain.

His supposed involvement in United teammate Wayne Rooney’s red card at the 2006 World Cup did little to help his popularity in England, but he has responded in the right way – producing one mesmerising display of ball skills after another.

It is time to appreciate Ronaldo’s talent, which has lit up the Premiership and the Champions League this year. Let's not dwell so much on perceived flaws. Roll on Euro 2008!