Peter Anderson ⚽ Watching Ronaldo at the weekend score his fourth goal in three games against West Ham brought back a few memories.

A lot of people were saying that Man U were throwing good money after bad by buying another has-been, but Ronaldo is pure class and he is proving the doubters wrong. Sure, the legs are not as quick but the mind and striker's instinct are functioning well. 

Back in the day I was firmly on the Messi side of the "Ronaldo or Messi" debate. Ronaldo was a Man U player while I am a City supporter, then when I moved to Madrid and started going to watch Atletico. Ronaldo arrived in the city to play for the enemy. During his time at Real he tortured Atletico, yet the Madridistas did not take to Ronaldo well. They called him a "chulo" or wide-boy/corner boy. The best player in Real's history, scoring 311 goals in 292 appearances, was not liked by the famously fickle Real faithful. At that time Pep's Barça were feared all over the world and Messi was the tip of the spear. Every team in La Liga, except Atletico, would park the bus when Barça came to town. Even Mourinho's Real would park it, much to the chagrin of the Real fans. So, I was lucky to see some classic games at Atleti's Calderon stadium and Messi always delivered. It was a pleasure to watch the wee magician in the flesh. 

Ronaldo was all about pace and athleticism, while Messi was about innate talent producing sublime dribbles and breath-taking goals. Given a choice, it would be Messi every time. I was hoping he would come to the EPL to see how he would get on, instead it was Ronaldo who rocked up again at Old Trafford. It is an Old Trafford without his old mate Rooney. 

I remember when CR7 was at Man U the first time, a picture emerged in The Sun of Rooney in Mallorca with his mates, smoking, drinking and eating burgers. When asked about the pictures Ronaldo said that Rooney would pay for this behaviour in the future. Rooney is now fat, bald and retired while Ronaldo is still earning over £24 million per year. He was always meticulous with his nutrition, physique and recovery protocols, and he is reaping the benefits. 

I have to say that my opinion of Ronaldo has mellowed over the years. Shortly after moving back home, I was at Windsor to see Portugal in a Euro qualifier. Northern Ireland were winning 2-1 and Ronaldo was getting some stick from the GAWA, with chants of "Messi, Messi, Messi" every few minutes and every touch he took was jeered. He got his revenge though with a late hattrick and when he was subbed late in the game the GAWA gave him a standing ovation. Despite the jeers and stick throughout the match, he took the time to stand and return the ovation. 

Sure, I didn't like him for most of his career and I don't want him or Man U winning anything this year, but it is good to see him still plying his trade at the highest level. 

He was, and still is, pure class.

Peter Anderson is a Unionist with a keen interest in sports.

Ronaldo ⚽ Pure Class

Peter Anderson ⚽ Watching Ronaldo at the weekend score his fourth goal in three games against West Ham brought back a few memories.

A lot of people were saying that Man U were throwing good money after bad by buying another has-been, but Ronaldo is pure class and he is proving the doubters wrong. Sure, the legs are not as quick but the mind and striker's instinct are functioning well. 

Back in the day I was firmly on the Messi side of the "Ronaldo or Messi" debate. Ronaldo was a Man U player while I am a City supporter, then when I moved to Madrid and started going to watch Atletico. Ronaldo arrived in the city to play for the enemy. During his time at Real he tortured Atletico, yet the Madridistas did not take to Ronaldo well. They called him a "chulo" or wide-boy/corner boy. The best player in Real's history, scoring 311 goals in 292 appearances, was not liked by the famously fickle Real faithful. At that time Pep's Barça were feared all over the world and Messi was the tip of the spear. Every team in La Liga, except Atletico, would park the bus when Barça came to town. Even Mourinho's Real would park it, much to the chagrin of the Real fans. So, I was lucky to see some classic games at Atleti's Calderon stadium and Messi always delivered. It was a pleasure to watch the wee magician in the flesh. 

Ronaldo was all about pace and athleticism, while Messi was about innate talent producing sublime dribbles and breath-taking goals. Given a choice, it would be Messi every time. I was hoping he would come to the EPL to see how he would get on, instead it was Ronaldo who rocked up again at Old Trafford. It is an Old Trafford without his old mate Rooney. 

I remember when CR7 was at Man U the first time, a picture emerged in The Sun of Rooney in Mallorca with his mates, smoking, drinking and eating burgers. When asked about the pictures Ronaldo said that Rooney would pay for this behaviour in the future. Rooney is now fat, bald and retired while Ronaldo is still earning over £24 million per year. He was always meticulous with his nutrition, physique and recovery protocols, and he is reaping the benefits. 

I have to say that my opinion of Ronaldo has mellowed over the years. Shortly after moving back home, I was at Windsor to see Portugal in a Euro qualifier. Northern Ireland were winning 2-1 and Ronaldo was getting some stick from the GAWA, with chants of "Messi, Messi, Messi" every few minutes and every touch he took was jeered. He got his revenge though with a late hattrick and when he was subbed late in the game the GAWA gave him a standing ovation. Despite the jeers and stick throughout the match, he took the time to stand and return the ovation. 

Sure, I didn't like him for most of his career and I don't want him or Man U winning anything this year, but it is good to see him still plying his trade at the highest level. 

He was, and still is, pure class.

Peter Anderson is a Unionist with a keen interest in sports.

10 comments:

  1. When he resigned for Utd, I said to my son (a Utd supporter) that he was not worth the money. To which he replied he was a goal machine. How right that has proven to be.
    Good point about Rooney. Just think how many players could extend their careers by looking after themselves. Against that is that they would be endlessly making money they don't need and preventing younger talent coming through.

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  2. Chelsea will walk the prem. Lfc will finish 8 points behind in second. City & Utd, third & fourth.
    If the Chavs beat City in London on Saturday , # Prem done & dusted
    Mo Salah, 32 has the highest goal tally in a 38 game season # Ronaldo who ❓

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  3. Ronaldo is that good, it wouldn't surprise me if utd won the title, without him they had no chance

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    1. I think there is a lot to be done before Utd win the EPL.

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    2. I don't fancy them, I fancy your team. I believe special players make a difference. I believe he's that special he could take a good team and make them winners against greater collective talent. A bit like Van Djik you're a different animal when he's in the team

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  4. I've been lucky enough to see both Messi and Ronaldo play in the flesh and for me Ronaldo is the GOAT. He's a freak, superb skill matched with his relentless drive and physical condition far beyond what a male approaching 40 should be burdened with.
    Even taking in the enormous drag factor of playing for The Scum he's on a different planet. Messi appears to be struggling in a team that's not built around him too. Weird times.

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  5. I am more surprised by Brentford. The season has only started etc.. but they don't seem to be the whipping boys that everyone expected. Today the are above Leeds, Newcastle, Wolves...Leicester...... Next round of the EPL cup.....

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  6. Good point about Saturday's Chelsea V City game. If Chelsea win I can't see them being caught, barring a Lukaku injury. It should be a cracker. They beat us twice at the end of last season in the FA cup and ECL final.

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    Replies
    1. And the game is on at a sensible time down here, 930pm! Class!

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  7. A great Saturday and a few shocks...I never expected Utd to lose, I thought City would have drawn again Chelsea and Brentford...3-3 against Klopp...


    I enjoyed AJ being taught another lesson on how to box....

    Golf....I don't care too much about it...

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