Tying in with the “Take one for the team” campaign from our sponsors Champion, here’s a look at one of the worst examples of a non-team player: Cristiano Ronaldo.
Being the best footballer on the planet is usually a recipe for adulation. For all his flaws, from gun-toting to powder-snorting, everybody loved Diego Maradona, and his return to the spotlight last year as manager of Argentina prompted such gushing emotion, so much happy weeping that the residents of New Orleans were beginning to fret.
Then there’s Pele. Despite being too-wholesome-for-muesli, it takes a particularly cynical individual to think ill of Pele. Love may be too strong a word nowadays – although for many, “love” and “strong” have been brought together by one of his most noteworthy post-career endorsements – but to those of a certain generation, Pele has never and will never be surpassed.
The current bearer of the crown, little Leo Messi, is universally adored. He may have a bulging bank account, but he is characterised more for his bashfulness, his playful daring, his unparalleled ability, for dazzlingly inventive goal after dazzlingly inventive goal.
Zinedine Zidane may be remembered for exiting the world’s biggest stage by a rush-of-blood-to-the-headbutt, but even that – apparently after a slight on his family’s honour by a greasy, tattooed Italian – was somehow admirable. For a decade or so before then, in any case, there wasn’t a more beautiful sight in all of the beautiful game than Zizou with a football at his feet.
Which brings us to Cristiano Ronaldo, the holder of The Greatest Footballer on the Planet™ title for a brief period between the bright and enlightened reigns of Zidane, Ronaldinho and Messi.
Ronaldo’s time on the throne was a dark and fretful time for the world’s inhabitants. How unsatisfying is it when you’re not sure whether The Greatest Footballer on the Planet™ will produce a moment of genius or a loathsome dive followed by trademark wounded look towards the referee?
He might score a stunning free kick but his exuberant, egotistical celebration, which casts aside teammates like a medieval lord might a sickly serf, will quickly remind you that he is not a brick in any wall, but the self-appointed apex of the pyramid. Even his tricks, as visually impressive as they may sometimes be, are self-gratifying and pointless.
You sense that this season, Real Madrid’s lack of success, their complete and lasting subordination at the hands of their Messi-inspired rivals, will not really inflict any hurt on Ronaldo. The Madrid media were still comparing the Ronnie-Messi head-to-head goals battle when the La Liga and Champions League battles were long since decided in Barca’s favour.
The accolades which are really cherished at Chez Ronaldo are individual. Cristiano Ronaldo – the antithesis of a team player.
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