If history is anything to go by, the recent events surrounding the future of the legendary manchester United and Portuguese captain, Cristiano Ronaldo suggest that his playing days are coming to an end. The ambitious 5 times ballon dOr winner whose exceptional goal scoring ability has turned him into a legend has shown some level of decline since leaving Real Madrid....CONTINUE READING THE FULL ARTICLE>>>
The legend who has had a successful football career has won virtually every major trophy an individual could dream of. His consistency and achievements over a decade has made him a darling to millions of fans across the globe. Within the last two decades, Ronaldo has proven that hard work pays and at 37 he is still pushing himself harder to maintain his quality, yet everything has its time. Events of recent times has shown that in few years to come our darling Ronaldo will have to retire from the game that has made him a global icon. This article summarise the rise and decline football of football legend.
The Beginning.
Cristiano Ronaldo started his professional football career at the age of 17 in portugal with Sporting CP before he was scouted by Manchester United 2003. Within the period of his stay,he played 28 games had 4 goals contibution and won 1 supertaca. Moving to United helped him develop into a better.
At United, he played about 292 games scoring and assisting 118 goals and 68 assist repectively. Within the period of his stay, he won the UCL, FIFA club world club, 3 premier league, 1 FA cup and his first ballon dOr trophy. After his transformation into a star at united, he left for Madrid in 2009 for a transfer fee of £80m.
The Rise.
Ronaldo’s best club football moment came during his stint at Madrid. His first two seasons were trohyless, but things began to workout for him and the team there after. It was in Madrid that Ronaldo became a football legend, scoring 451 goals and assiting 131 in 438 games played.
This achievement took him to the top as Madrid’s all time leading goal scorer. As far as club football is concerned he conquered everywhere he went and won almost all the available trophies. Among the trophies he won in Madrid include 4 ballon dOr, 4 UEFA champions league, 3 UEFA Super cups, 3 Club world cup, 3 golden shoes and other individual and team awards. At the international stage, the only trophy missing in his cabinet is the world cup which he still has one last chance to grab in Qatar. In 2018, he left Madrid for Juventus to look for a new challenge.
His move to Juventus was caused by a disagreement over contract renewal which the two parties couldn’t come to an agreement. Madrid felt that the aging Ronaldo who had decline in quality was asking for too much to be paid for in his new contract.
The Decline.
Juventus capture of Ronaldo was seen as a big achievement to Italian football considering his fan base. While at Juventus Ronaldo played a total of 133 games in all competitions scoring 101 times and assisting 9 times. During this period he won 5 trophies.
Ronaldo couldnt replicate the form of Madrid at Juventus which led to a move to Manchester United and ending his three years career at the club. Now a year after moving to United, he has become the subject of controversy at united. His frustration of lack of United champions league action has led to his request for move away from the club. Now no big european teams including Bayern, PSG and Chelsea are willing to take him in to their squad.
This situation wouldn’t have been possible some 5 or ten years ago. But the reality is that he has decline in performance. Though Ronaldo’s ego and self centeredness are among the key reasons being listed by some clubs for their refusal to sign him, the fact still remain that his quality has dropped and weighing the risk, clubs have resorted to more easily manageable stars with potential of getting better.
As we witness the last football moment of a legendary star. Lets take time to appreciate his wonderful top class and consistent contribution to the game of football. It will take time to find such a true legend.
