Athletic Bilbao 1 – 2 Real Madrid: Three Takeaways from the Match

BILBAO, SPAIN - MARCH 18: Karim Benzema of Real Madrid celebrates with his team mate Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid after scoring the opening goal during the La Liga match between Athletic Club Bilbao and Real Madrid at San Mames Stadium on March 18, 2017 in Bilbao, Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
BILBAO, SPAIN - MARCH 18: Karim Benzema of Real Madrid celebrates with his team mate Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid after scoring the opening goal during the La Liga match between Athletic Club Bilbao and Real Madrid at San Mames Stadium on March 18, 2017 in Bilbao, Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
(Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images) /

2. Selfish, Selfish Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo often gets the rap of being a selfish player. It could be his celebrity lifestyle, his obsession with his hair and physique, his occasionally petulant demeanor, or the fact that in seasons past he seems more concerned with driving up his goal tally than he is with helping his team score.  Whatever the reason why, Ronaldo gets branded as narcissistic and self-centered.

Yet, as he has evolved and matured, Ronaldo is starting to earn the reputation on the pitch of being as much a goal creator as he is a goal scorer. Since arriving at Real Madrid, Ronaldo has recorded more La Liga assists than any other Real Madrid player.  His two assists today bring him to a total of 12 across all competitions, according to WhoScored.

Perhaps we can finally start putting the “Selfish Ronaldo” trope to bed.