Cristiano Ronaldo: Biggest Villain in World Football for March
Specifically for the month of March: One who donned an all-white kit, also wore the black hat.
Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo is without question a world great, approaching legendary status and possibly the best player of his generation—only Lionel Messi could claim the same titles in this era.
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Whether warranted or unwarranted, Messi is viewed as the model citizen of superstar footballers. Though behind the scenes Barcelona's diminutive striker may conduct disruptive operations, on the pitch he is never seen as being petulant, recalcitrant or fractious.
A consummate professional, invariably involved in most celebrations and positive dealings, the Argentine's public persona (in terms of football) is relatively unblemished.
Ronaldo, on the other hand, has a more dubious reputation with regard to team-mate interaction—one such incident came to fruition last month vs. Levante on 15 March.
After a stunning acrobatic effort was saved by goalkeeper Diego Marino, Ronaldo looked on as Gareth Bale proceeded to place the ensuing rebound in Levante's net. Whereas most footballers would be happy their team had taken a 1-0 lead after 18 minutes—and gone to celebrate—the Portuguese attacker was seen throwing a tantrum, no doubt wishing he was the goalscorer.
To suggest Ronaldo never celebrates with his team-mates would be disingenuous; one would assert almost always Real Madrid's talisman congratulates those around him, but the manner in which he dismissed Bale's strike was distinctly repulsive.
Two months before, Bale was similarly the target of Ronaldo's ire. The Welshman had an opportunity to square a pass for Madrid's "No. 7" vs. Espanyol but elected to shoot himself—squandering the chance. Ronaldo showed his displeasure publicly. Portions of the Santiago Bernabeu then began to jeer Bale when he received the football.
Carlo Ancelotti, responding to the situation (via Goal's Ben Hayward), told reporters: "Altruism is important and if anyone is selfish, we are going to fix it. The fans demand a lot from the important players and Bale is one of those."
The stadium followed the lead of their chief star, but rather than addressing the selfishness of Ronaldo, it appeared the Madrid boss was more concerned with Bale's decision to shoot.
Returning to March, seeing one of the world's best players react to their team-mate's goal with disdain is off-putting—but Ronaldo is cut from a different cloth in many respects.
Sportsmanship is an oft overlooked characteristic. Supporters would rather a collective of mean-hearted winners than compassionate losers. Ronaldo is a hybrid. Winning is not enough for the Portuguese winger—he must be the reason for victory. In his eagerness for personal greatness, it seems Ronaldo momentarily loses sight of the bigger picture.
Being angry at a team-mate for missing a chance when he should have passed is an understandable reaction, but dismissing a colleague on the basis of personal glory hunting is an altogether different level of egotism.
Fans, managers and team-mates can deal (for the most part) with those who want overt attention, but only when individual edification is secondary to team objectives.
Ronaldo showed vs. Levante an idea which should not be accepted in team sport: the singular over the collective.
Should we judge people by their worst moments? Of course not. Footballers are human, and we all throw toys out of the proverbial pram occasionally, but what cannot be accepted or condoned are habitual adverse reactions directed at those one is meant to support.
It reflects poorly on the individual, the club, the sport and—more worryingly—society.
*Stats via WhoScored.com; transfer fees via Soccerbase.com where not noted.
