Cristiano Ronaldo's Big-Game Real Madrid Performances Criticised by Marca

Cristiano Ronaldo has become a target for the Spanish press in the aftermath of Real Madrid's humiliation in El Clasico on Saturday. Los Blancos were beaten 4-0 at home by Barcelona, and Spanish publication Marca has hit out at Ronaldo's credentials in big games.  

Marca's David G. Medina stated how Madrid's talisman in the attack has gone missing in the marquee fixtures this season: "Cristiano Ronaldo, the only Real Madrid man to play in every game, has only scored three goals in eight games. He has not turned up in any of Real Madrid's big games this season. He was poor and failed to live up to expectations against PSG, Sevilla and Barcelona."

This quote is likely to deepen the apparent strain between the club and the star player. Ronaldo reportedly isn't enjoying playing for new boss Rafa Benitez.

Paul White/Associated Press

In the wake of the drubbing at the Santiago Bernabeu, reports in Italy (h/t Pete Jenson of the Independent), suggested Ronaldo had "given Real’s president, Florentino Perez, an ultimatum amounting to 'either the coach goes in the summer or I do.'"

Jenson went on to describe how Ronaldo's "relationship with Benitez has never developed." He even suggested the Portuguese powerhouse was a prime mover in the dismissal of Benitez's predecessor Carlo Ancelotti, a major mistake from Perez.

But the La Decima-winning coach recently played down those suggestions, even suggesting Ronaldo is on good terms with Benitez. During an interview with Radio Anch'io lo Sport (h/t the MailOnline's Martin Domin), Ancelotti claimed: "I talked on the phone a few days ago with Cristiano Ronaldo and he did not tell me anything about problems with the coach."

Ronaldo's working relationship with his new boss will continue to be the source of speculation. But what cannot be disputed is his diminished form this season. Following a 1-0 win over Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League, ESPN FC's Dermot Corrigan detailed how Ronaldo's anonymity in the forward areas was a question Benitez managed to avoid:

But the issue hasn't gone away since. Medina is merely tapping into a growing sentiment that Ronaldo isn't delivering this season, despite 14 goals in all competitions, according to ESPN FC. Yet, there are mitigating factors behind his dip in form.

Benitez has attempted to play him through the middle, away from his preferred left flank. Injuries to striker partners Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale also haven't helped, making Ronaldo the primary focus of the opposition in many games.

Still, Ronaldo has plenty of goals on the big stage to his credit to refute any suggestions he goes missing when the occasion gets bigger. Establishing a comfort level within Benitez's tactics will solve the problems Madrid's prolific goal-getter is currently facing.

It will also put the big-game questions Medina has raised to bed.