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LaLiga: Why don't people like Cristiano Ronaldo?

The many faces of Cristiano - most of them unliked by lots of people
The many faces of Cristiano – most of them unliked by lots of people

Cristiano Ronaldo. Two words which immediately polarise opinion amongst football fans. There is very little middle ground – as seems to be the case in almost everything these days – when it comes to forming an opinion on Real Madrid’s leading man. You’re either a loyal supporter of the underwear-posing Portuguese star or view him as everything that’s wrong with the modern game.

Sometimes we view the world as one constant battle between right and wrong. Whoever opposes the person we dislike or hate is immediately promoted to hero status. Our hopes, our dreams, they all rely on the ancient belief that good Trumps overcomes evil. Yet what do we do when there are two heroes? As if straight from Vince McMahon’s ‘Wrestling 101′ textbook, one must be turned and made the bad guy.

The two heroes in football are of course Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. There’s no debate to be had when you’re talking about the best two players of this generation. While different in almost every facet from style of play through to media handling, they have reached unparalleled levels of greatness in recent seasons.

Read more: Who is the unluckiest player in LaLiga?

However one is the golden boy of football, adored and seen as an inspiration for children. The other as a selfish egomaniac who doesn’t value the team, only his individual contribution.

So let’s take a look at why people see Cristiano as the Voldemort to Messi’s Harry Potter.

TOO ARROGANT

I think we sometimes confuse arrogance with confidence but what’s the problem if someone is arrogant and they can back it up? It’s one thing to be a run of the mill player and now sit in the studio passing yourself as the best around, but when you’re one of the greatest to ever play the game, and get constant abuse, could you not understand why a person might be a bit of arrogant?

There’s an element of truth to statement of Cristiano being unlucky to have come around at the same time as Messi. Yet for me, it works both ways. For example we’re quick to dismiss what Cristiano has achieved because Messi did something better or quicker, or vice versa. If that’s the case it doesn’t devalue or make what the other achieved insignificant, it’s acceptable to respect and admire both achievements.

Ron-arroganto: Look at me - I've scored
Ron-arroganto: Look at me – I’ve scored

This is just my personal opinion as I’ve never spoken to Cristiano but I sense a lot of his self-praise comments are because he doesn’t feel he gets the recognition he deserves. He’s, at worst, the second best player of his generation and easily top ten of all time. However so often praise for him comes across as diluted, or half-arsed. “Cristiano is the best player on the planet but Messi is an alien.” It’s praise yet at the same time it isn’t.

Wouldn’t you be prone to moments of going into business for yourself if you felt all of your achievements are overshadowed by another player? These are just some of his achievements at Real Madrid: highest goalscorer in the club’s history, top scorer in the Champions League, most goals in a single season, most goals in a single Champions League campaign, he’s twice scored five goals in a league game, notched 40 hat-tricks in all competitions including eight in the 2014/15 season. He’s won four Ballon d’Ors, two Champions Leagues and a European Championship with Portugal. And that’s not even touching what he did with Manchester United.

PUTS HIMSELF BEFORE THE TEAM

I’m not sure how this one works exactly but let’s run with it. Cristiano is often accused of being far too obsessed with notching individual records as opposed to winning titles with his team.

What if his teammates are the ones who have immense trust in his abilities and for that reason they always pass the ball to him? That’s completely normal though. At what big side do they not look for their key player at every available opportunity?

After last season when he won his second Champions League title with Real Madrid as well as his first international tournament with Portugal, he declared it the best season of his career. Far too often the media like to twist each story into a personal battle to win the most Ballon d’Or possible but Ronaldo himself shot down the question last summer, way before the awards were announced.

Ronaldo is the star exhibit at the CR7 Museum in Funchal, Madeira
Ronaldo is the star exhibit at the CR7 Museum in Funchal, Madeira

“This season has been the best of my career. I won two major titles with my club and country so it was something unique. Individual awards are always won without expectations, they are not everything. I am not obsessed about whether I have a chance to win it [Ballon d’Or] or not. This year I’ve already won the European Championship and the Champions League, both are very important trophies.”

If you’re great player and spend a lot of time at one club, individual titles are to be expected. In an era where players often switch clubs and even countries, these achievements become even more rare. Is Cristiano proud of his own achievements? Absolutely, but find me one who isn’t. Would he give them all up if it meant he’d won a couple of extra leagues, Champions Leagues or a World Cup with Portugal? In my opinion, he would, in a heartbeat. As would Messi, of course.

NOT A GOOD ROLE MODEL

Why isn’t he? A driven, highly motivated and exceptionally hard worker who wants to remain at the top of his field for as long as possible. Yeah, what a dick. I’ve seen some point to his petulant moaning on the pitch when something goes wrong or a teammate doesn’t pass him the ball. While not endearing, and a bit childish, it’s hardly a reason to cast him aside in terms of inspiration. If anything, his life story is exactly that: Inspiring.

Cristiano’s own father was never the same after he went off to war according to an interview ESPN did with a man who served alongside him. Unable to cope his father drank himself into an early grave and passed away in 2005 but told those around him his son would achieve great things, things he wasn’t capable of. The relationship between Cristiano and his father wasn’t great towards the end, as documented in the film about him, but sometimes seeing someone at their worst means you strive never to repeat their mistakes.

Weight and see: Cristiano seizes another picture opportunity
Weight and see: Cristiano seizes another picture opportunity

After recently turning 32, it’s a testament to the effort and work he puts in that he’s retained the same level. You can see there’s hours and hours of gym work, both at the club and at home, he puts in to make sure he’s at peak fitness. Surely his story, and his continued attitude, is an aspiration those who believe you get out what you put in.

He was the winner of the ‘Dosomething.org’ Athletes Gone Good for all the charitable donations he made in 2015 and, even though some make up fake stories for retweets and shares, there’s no doubting he has a charitable nature.

THOSE TWITTER PICTURES OF HIM IN HIS BOXER SHORTS

Alright, fair enough. I’ll give you that one.

HE ISN’T MESSI

No, he isn’t but that shouldn’t be a reason to dislike him. Do you honestly think Messi would’ve scaled the heights he did if Cristiano wasn’t around to push him even further? Both have the other to thank for not dropping off, getting comfortable or having a poor season. Having the two around at the same time is a blessing as much as it’s a curse but we, fans of the sport itself, should never take for granted what we see week in, week out from either one of them.

The sight we all like to see: A happy Messi and a gloomy Ronny
The sight we all like to see: A happy Messi and a gloomy Ronny

Messi has a competitive edge, a hunger to achieve more but above everything to enjoy playing the game while being successful. He’d put his own happiness and dreams ahead of that of the club if he felt they didn’t value him or were heading in the wrong direction. On the pitch he’d take control when his teammates were below par and drag them to a positive result, almost single-handedly, to keep objectives within reach. When he didn’t, and he was heavily criticised, he’d wonder if they had simply forgotten all of what he’d achieved a week or two before.

Actually, when you come to think of it, there are a lot of similarities between Cristiano and Messi – just not in terms of popularity.