Cristiano Ronaldo Is Now a Problem for Real Madrid, Says Fabio Capello

Cristiano Ronaldo's lack of form and fitness is Real Madrid's biggest problem during their current slump, according to former Los Blancos manager Fabio Capello. 

The Madrid giants have drawn four matches on the bounce in all competitions, and Ronaldo has netted just once in four La Liga appearances in 2016-17 since returning late to action because of an injury picked up at UEFA Euro 2016.

Capello believes the Portugal captain's form is being adversely affected because he has yet to fully recover from the knock. And, because he is Real's best player, that is marring his team's performances, per Onda Cero (via MailOnline's Will Griffee): "The problem for Real Madrid now is Cristiano Ronaldo, because he is not well physically and is their best player."

It is true that Ronaldo has not been at his prolific best at the start of the new term. Bleacher Report's Graham Ruthven has even suggested the 31-year-old may finally be on the decline:

During Real's current run of poor form—during which they have drawn with Villarreal and Eibar at home and Borussia Dortmund and Las Palmas away—the three-time Ballon d'Or winner has netted just once, against the German side in the UEFA Champions League.

For so long, even during a poor performance, Real have been able to rely on Ronaldo to come up with some magic.

Since he moved to the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium from Manchester United in 2009, he has only returned fewer than 31 goals in a La Liga season once—his debut campaign for the club when he scored 26.

Season	Appearances (as a sub)	Minutes	Goals	Assists
2016-17	4	318	1	1
2015-16	36	3,185	35	11
2014-15	35	3,099	48	16
2013-14	30	2,545	31	9
2012-13	30(4)	2,721	34	10
2011-12	37(1)	3,354	46	12
2010-11	32(2)	2,913	40	11
2009-10	28(1)	2,490	26	7

In Ronaldo's seven full seasons with Real, he has averaged more than 37 goals per league campaign, per WhoScored.com.

Despite the presence of Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema, James Rodriguez, Alvaro Morata and Isco in manager Zinedine Zidane's squad, Ronaldo remains the key component, and when he underperforms, Real invariably do so as well.

Per Onda Cero (via Griffee), Capello believes that when Ronaldo returns to form, Real will, too.

The former England manager is undoubtedly correct, and if Ronaldo starts banging in the goals again, Los Blancos should see an upturn in fortunes.

However, with every passing season, Ronaldo edges closer to retirement, and Real must prepare for the time when his loss of form is not just a temporary glitch.