La Liga: Does Cristiano Ronaldo Still Care About Real Madrid?

As we approach yet another Clasico tonight in the Copa del Rey, we may need to look back to the last league meeting between Real Madrid and Barcelona to analyse whether Cristiano Ronaldo's heart is still in it at Real Madrid.

At first glance, perhaps it is a harsh angle to look at a player who has achieved phenomenal goal-scoring records at the Bernabeu since he arrived in 2009. Ronaldo won Madrid their only trophy thus far since Barcelona dominated world football, through the extra-time winner in the Copa del Rey final.

However, questions are starting to be raised about Ronaldo's influence, desire and ability when it matters most.

First, there is an issue with the celebrations following goals from the Portuguese and even his colleagues. Where he once seemed so enthusiastic to celebrate his goals—particularly with Marcelo—he now seems disinterested and simply looks to get the game restarted.

Of course, the flip side of this could be that we're seeing a far more focused player. He knows where has slipped up in recent times—the number of missed opportunities against Barcelona—and maybe now he realizes that some of the criticism that has come his way is warranted.

Rather than celebrating a 5-1 triumph over Granada—a team they should convincingly put to the sword—he turns his focus to the next game where he can, and should, further make amends for his poor showing in the Clasico.

It's also worth highlighting how ineffective Ronaldo has been from set-pieces. Does his status as one of the best players in world football give him license to take every free-kick within range? Surely there will start to be noises in the side from players who see his poor conversion rate and begin to ask why they can't be given a chance.

Ronaldo has no problem finding his composure against the lesser sides in Spain and continues to score for fun. However, the manner of criticism that was aimed towards him following the game against Barcelona has certainly brought about a different demeanour from the player.

I don't believe there is any reason to suggest the player has simply fallen out of love with Real Madrid. His price tag and ability on the pitch gives him a huge amount of responsibility to counter what is happening in Catalonia, and there is a desire in him to want to lead this Real Madrid side onto the next level.

What we're seeing now—and only for now— is no longer a flamboyant, arrogant player strutting about the pitch. He knows that he no longer has reason to show off his ability, because in recent games his signature traits have not been coming off. He continues to score, but maybe without as much confidence as he had prior to the game against Barcelona.

The lack of celebration, the calmer exterior and the desire to continue taking set-pieces suggest the player is actively looking to regain his confidence and deadly ability while on the ball.

The notion that the player has maybe been stung too harshly by the words from supporters and his manager, thus causing him to lose his desire for the club is extremely wide of the mark.

The turn-around for the player could be on tonight's Copa del Rey quarter-final. Just as the last meeting between the two sides seemed to put a dent in Ronaldo's season, this could be the game where proves to the critics that he is still a player performing for the club and not himself.