Real Madrid drew their away match 2-2 and to be honest, Real Madrid got lucky to get even a draw out of that game. Barcelona and Atletico Madrid won their respective matches later on and hence the gap at the top is again to 6 points with Atletico Madrid and Barcelona level on points.
The match indicated to me something which I would have never even considered had Ronaldo not got injured a few weeks back. That is, has Ronaldo become at Real Madrid what Messi is at Barcelona? The only difference would be the quality which Messi brings to the table when compared to Ronaldo. Messi is obviously out of this world while Ronaldo’s game is still believable.
Since Ronaldo has come back players such as Modric, Bale, Benzema, Di Maria and Jesse (not to mention Arbeloa) just don’t look the players they were without Ronaldo on the pitch. Everybody including the players listed above themselves would say that they would love to have Ronaldo on the field rather than off it playing for another club.
But the fact remains, the last two matches Real Madrid has played with Ronaldo (even though Real Madrid won one of them comprehensibly and drew the other) all other players have looked hesitant and have looked towards Ronaldo to take the lead instead of trying something for themselves and that to me robs Real Madrid of their true potential.
I am not saying that Real Madrid should sell Ronaldo and put him on the bench. Just that, seeing Bale playing like Messi in the two matches without Ronaldo and then seeing him play like Nani(?) in the other two with Ronaldo has given me a perspective which I was not willing to consider in the past.
Now the possibility of Ronaldo playing at another club does not look like disaster for Real Madrid. There had been talks about Ronaldo leaving Real Madrid for Manchester United or City or PSG and I did not like those news in the past. But now, I am more comfortable with them.
Ronaldo is a great player no doubt but that is the difference between players like Messi, Ronaldo and Zidane, Figo. Zidane and Figo played a masterful game in which they brought out the best of their teammates. Ronaldo and Messi cannot do that because their game is to dominate the match themselves. Obviously they are perhaps better at scoring lots of goals when compared to Zidane and Figo but those two offered you something no player could offer and that was team spirit and team play.
You don’t need to beat 5 players yourself like Messi or to some extent Ronaldo to be effective when you can easily pass the ball in such a way that you could beat entire defense lines standing in front of you and that is exactly what Zidane and Figo did in their prime.
If Ronaldo wants to stay, let him stay. If he wants to go, he does not need to be stopped. Not saying Real Madrid should not bid for Messi when that happens either.
By the way die-hard fan, Real are on 38 & Athletico & Barca are on 43, so 5pts separate the us & the other two not 6. Can Real survive without Ronaldo? Of course they can, but are they better with him, most definitely!!
Real would have been a lot more off the pace if they didnt have CR7 this season, bottom line is Real have been inconsistent all season, dropping points against teams they should beat just like last season, Ancelotti has not found his best system & with Khedira injured we lack muscle in the midfield, Zidane & Figo were only able to get forward as much because we had Makelele. Modric-Alonso partnership is two lightweight. The defence is not good enough, Ramos needs to be more disciplined & I think Pepe is overrated, I like Varane, he is the future although young, but we need a Hierro, a Sanchis, a Helguera, a Cannavaro at the back, a leader.
The problem is not Ronaldo, far from it, it is the balance & the rest of the team.
What a Load of Garbage?? When CR7 is at his best then Madrid are at their best… How can any True Madridista contemplate Ronaldo holding the team back? If anything he pushes us forward (His Desire, Drive and Determination). Madird Vs Gala when we scored 6, Cr7 bagged a hat-trick. Juventus in both Legs he scored. You cannot simply write a rubbish article about the Best Player in the World and of 2013 because of the last 2 performances (Still doesnt look 100% fit either) – Joint Top scorer in La Liga, Top scorer in CL and in the Calender year…
Am amadridesta and cr7 fan and are u really saying what u said or joking? ?? With all respect i think your feelings controlling you. I know what u mean by saying they r better. When cr7 not playing but that just tells me that cristiano is the spirit and u need ateam to replace him.and also u juged the team from one game away with ateam even barca draw with in a 11 players. So please dont make ur feelings tricks u and cr7 is better than messi. Messi just better at dribbling and that doesnt make him abetter footballer. Maybe am wrong and u too but thats my opinin and good luck