Soccer Globe

VIVA RONALDO? NOT LIKELY!

They love me, they love me not?

Something isn’t right in the court of King Cristiano.

Recently at Old Trafford the normally rousing chants of ‘Viva Ronaldo’ that last season resonated from all four corners of the stadium are becoming increasingly half-hearted. Those attempting to start it find themselves given short shrift by other supporters who don’t shout them down.

They simply just ignore.

Amongst hardcore United supporters Ronaldo’s summer flirting with Real Madrid has left a bad taste in the mouth. Even though the player himself claims all is well there remains a nasty lingering odour that refuses to clear. The constant glum expression and the tiresome rehashing of comments such as ‘I feel very good within the club and very happy‘, is starting to wear thin. Cristiano Ronaldo is clearly sulking at not getting his dream move to Madrid.

His reaction to scoring against West Bromwich Albion recently was hardly that of someone happy in the workplace. As for the rapid exit down the players tunnel without even a wave towards the Stretford End? Surely the sound of alarm bells were ringing from Salford to Saudi amongst United followers.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s utter refusal to back down in the face of Cristiano Ronaldo’s contemptuous behaviour ‘(I love to play in white)’ whilst with Portugal in Euro 2008 was that of a man prepared to go to the brink in order United kept their player from Real Madrid‘s clutches. Leaked Stories from inside the club hinted that Ferguson would walk if the Glaziers caved into the Spanish giants.

This was not David Beckham, Ruud Van Nistlerooy or Gabriel Heinze whom he wanted out of the club, thus making business with Real tolerable and conducted on his terms. Here Ferguson could ill afford to fail. Firstly because of the sheer quality of footballer involved and secondly maybe even more important, he could not lose face. If Ronaldo was allowed to leave for the Bernabeu what price next summer Anderson or Carlos Tevez following suit?

However it now appears a hollow victory for the rumblings have returned. The recent embarrassing episode on MUTV when they interviewed Cristiano Ronaldo in a
‘clear the air‘, everything is beautiful with the world, propaganda charade completely backfired. For the Madeiran magician bore all the appearance of a schoolboy brought before the headmaster for caught burning down the physics lab.

So what happens next?

Ronaldo’s ankle injury is clearly still hampering him for the murderous speed that terrorised defences last year is yet to return. The frustration that only comes from one whose total confidence in himself borders at times on unbearable arrogance is clearly evident. At times he appears bewildered when not being able to burn away chasing defenders, whom then have the temerity to take the ball off him! The extravagant repoiture of tricks and flicks are still in evidence but even they seem to be performed with minimal zest.

When a highly, temperamental footballer who has grown used to having the ground he walks upon worshipped suddenly realises he no longer has supporters falling at his feet , a sense of reality must surely kick in? When added to Ronaldo’s body language and seemingly thoroughly fed up state of mind there is little doubt a certain team in white will once more be whispering into his ear.

It all now appears only a matter of time before both Cristiano Ronaldo and Real Madrid get their wish and Alex Ferguson finally gives his blessing. And maybe it is for the better because there is no doubt in many ways they truly deserve each other.

As for Ronaldo’s legacy at Old Trafford, well maybe missed for a period of time
but never will he be loved like past heroes. The chants of ‘Viva Ronaldo’ will wither and die, becoming only a memory. Unlike the ‘Oh Ah Cantona’ song which remains as popular today with the Old Trafford faithful as when the Frenchman was in his strutting pomp. Whilst Eric Cantona’s departure oozed class and style Cristiano looks certain to leave in a sorry tirade of sulks, denials and mudslinging.

The Cristiano Ronaldo love affair with Manchester United began on Wednesday
6th August 2003 when as a skinny eighteen-year-old Ronaldo teased and tormented the United defenders to such an extent they pleaded with Sir Alex Ferguson to buy him on the plane home. When this all ends as it surely must this summer then it will be in ignominy rather than bon voyage. Or as they say in Manchester,
‘All the best mate’.

Author - John Ludden (cfieldsoffire@aol.com)