Cristiano Ronaldo has started the season solidly for new club Real Madrid, momentarily silencing doubts over his lifestyle and scoring in both of Real’s opening games in La Liga, the top tier league of Spanish professional soccer.
Rested on Day 2, Ronaldo came off the bench to secure victory in the Madridista’s 3-0 win over Espanyol. He netted from a spot kick on Day 1 as Real overcame Deportivo La Coruna by the odd goal in 5 (3-2).
Ronaldo, linked with Paris Hilton in June during his US vacation has increasingly been seen enjoying the fruits of his celebrity, a far cry from the gangly, awkward signing introduced to Manchester United supporters as a 17 year old in 2003. His recent antics have led to fear of the “Beckham effect” (Increased celebrity leading to worldwide “brand awareness”, countered by a decline in performances on the pitch)
Ronaldo, unlike Beckham at the time, has a legitimate claim toward being one of the 5 best soccer players in the world, however. Surely worries over his application of talent of spurious?
Maybe not. Ronaldo is castigised regularly, at Manchester United even by a large segment of his own club’s supporters. He dives, has been repeatedly petulant on the pitch, and is often accused of a lack of substance, vanity and egomania in general, all traits showing his vulnerability to the siren’s call of a life spent in nightclubs. This summer we had the unique spectacle of the current Ballon D’Or (World Player of the Year) holder being sold with little regret from staff or supporters of the club he was departing.
Manchester United fans traditionally adore arrogance in their players, but only if they feel it is merited, and backed by a solid work ethic. Many had doubts on Ronaldo fulfilling either of those qualifications, and few would have turned down the 80 million pounds sterling Madrid offered for the player.
Spending well over 200 million pounds on new players this summer, Madrid have assembled a team they hope can challenge Barcelona, the reigning European champions. soccerspain.com have league news and tables in English, and Barca and Madrid sit on top of the table, with 100% records after Day 2. Ronaldo’s old club Manchester United lie second in England’s Premier League behind Chelsea, after beating Tottenham Hotspur 3-1 in London yesterday.
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