It’s Time to Stop Doubting Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the greatest players in Europe. He has been for about 10 years. He may be the best player in the world, in fact, he may be one of the best players to ever play the beautiful game. So why are so many people critical of the Dark Invader, Ronaldo? It’s simply because they are jealous of the unfathomable talent Ronaldo possesses. Ben Sundock tells you why Real Madrid are lucky to have CR7 on their side, and why people should stop doubting Cristiano.

It’s time to stop judging Ronaldo like he has golden legs on which to run, shoot, and pass. It’s also time to stop calling him old  (or declining) at the age of 32, because Ronaldo still has a lot of gas in the tank.

And if you thought the soccer king of Portugal was going to decline into an obsolete, useless player, guess again. CR7 isn’t done, not even close.

And the match against Bayern Munich was no revelation from the great striker/winger. It was a showing that the once great, can still be great and takeover a game for his team when they most need it.

ESPNFC‘s Nick Miller does a great job summing up to what extent the Ronaldo decline is going through, saying, “Ronaldo is 32, of course he’s declining. But the key is that he is declining from such a remarkable height in the first place that he’s only just approaching the level of about 99 percent of the other professional footballers in the world.”

"“A diminished Ronaldo is still better than almost everyone else.”"

It’s very hard to argue against the argument that Ronaldo has “lost” all his speed, agility, and natural physical ability because, in truth, he has. It’s a fact of life no matter how in shape or great you are, age takes away from physical ability.

Yet, somehow someway, Ronaldo has been able to gracefully begin his decent down to mere mortal status in terms of the soccer world.

In 35 matches this season in all competition for Real Madrid, Ronaldo has found the back of the net 24 times, while adding 11 assists. Oh yeah, and of course he’s one of the leading scorers in European competition of any player ever.

And yesterday’s match seemed like the perfect example of what Ronaldo has become for Real Madrid. A guy who can get the job done when he needs to.

Cristiano seemed absent in the first half, taking one good shot on Manuel Neuer’s net, but just kind of lurking around the sideline and up and down the wing waiting for a good opportunity to take, with none really arising in the opening 45 minutes.

And it seems Ronaldo has taken to heart what aging, but still dominating Manchester United striker, Zlatan Ibrahimovic said recently, The older you are, the more experienced, the more intelligent and you don’t waste energy on things you don’t need.”

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That is what Ronaldo does.

Some of you may get frustrated when Ronaldo gives up on the ball after a giveaway, or not tracking back on an opponent with the ball when he is needed to, and yes, you are right, he does ‘give up’ on plays at times. But, the work rate he has on the counter attack or getting the ball on his feet in the area more than makes up for his lapses in poor defense.

Ronaldo is prolonging his greatness with his new approach to the game. He is a wiser, more clinical, veteran, who understands the game to the point that us mere mortals can not even begin to fathom.

And, Ronaldo’s manager, Zinedine Zidane, has taken note of his player’s changing in style to his current saying of CR7, “Cristiano knows where his position is.He knows when to play center-forward or on the left. The positions he takes, and where he scores his goals — that’s all him.”

It’s clear to me as a long time Ronaldo supporter and Real Madrid fan that the fire and the drive behind this player have not left him despite his ‘decline’ due to age. This guy still goes out every match and tries to get his team a win. What more could you ask for?

So, if you’re a hater or a doubter of the Dark Invader, Cristiano Ronaldo, I’d invite you to check the stats from the season and watch the highlights. Ronaldo is still Ronaldo, just a new form of one of the greatest to ever play the game.