Cristiano Ronaldo - v1

[CuleLife4Life]

Earlier this season it really looked as though Ronaldo was past his best and regressing. Real's opposition lately notwithstanding (and we must recognize that they did, in fact, beat us as well) it seems that he is not as spent as it seemed a few months back.

So, what do you guys think? Is he really declining? Stagnating? How many more years can he score 30/season for?

Combination of age/decline, Rafa problem, and motivation imo.

He has defintely lost some pace and its visible when you see him play. Real were also shit under Rafa inluding guys like Kroos and Modric. Wouldn't be surrpised if they purposely were plying less than 100% to get him fired. And lastly I say motivation because you can see him do much more than we usually see from him like tracking back, being involved in attacks, assisting, etc when he wants to in certain games. I'd use El Clasico and the hattrick against Wolfsburg game as examples. But it seems like he rarely wants to put in that effort unless he has too.

 

[BarcaOG]

Combination of age/decline, Rafa problem, and motivation imo.

He has defintely lost some pace and its visible when you see him play. Real were also shit under Rafa inluding guys like Kroos and Modric. Wouldn't be surrpised if they purposely were plying less than 100% to get him fired. And lastly I say motivation because you can see him do much more than we usually see from him like tracking back, being involved in attacks, assisting, etc when he wants to in certain games. I'd use El Clasico and the hattrick against Wolfsburg game as examples. But it seems like he rarely wants to put in that effort unless he has too.

I agree motivation plays a big role here. You're right, his willingness to defend in el Clasico sharply contrasted with our own rather uninvolved forwards. And that sort of thing makes a difference.

 

[Luftstalag14]

Earlier this season it really looked as though Ronaldo was past his best and regressing. Real's opposition lately notwithstanding (and we must recognize that they did, in fact, beat us as well) it seems that he is not as spent as it seemed a few months back.

So, what do you guys think? Is he really declining? Stagnating? How many more years can he score 30/season for?

I think he definitely has declined, albeit slowly. His very good performance in the past two weeks (scoring against us at the Clasico and scoring a hattrick against Wolfsburg among others) masked his decline quite a bit.

That said, he is still EXTREMELY impressive, considering his age. I for one don't think Messi will be scoring this many when he is at Ronaldo's age.

 

[xavisionary]

Interesting the way a certain amount of respect is being shown to Ronaldo in response to Barca's recent dip in form. I really hope he tears City a new one in the semis...

 

[Hardy]

decline or less i don't see him scoring less then 50 goals at least for two three season. He has 31 years but honesly it doesn't seem. I think Ronaldo could be the most long-lived football player all time or anyway the most striker. His play at 360° is poor, his dribbling don't exsist anymore when he has no space, his playmaking is not that great but still fast and with great stamina to attack the rim like a mad men and this is the reason for witch continues to scoring all this goals, and Real Madrid with his play style is perfect for him.

 

[kollegah]

inb4 cristiano to score 4 past city, just to disappear in the final against bayern or atl

 

[MaxY]

inb4 cristiano to score 4 past city, just to disappear in the final against bayern or atl

That's amazing.

 

[Ritchie]

Earlier this season it really looked as though Ronaldo was past his best and regressing. Real's opposition lately notwithstanding (and we must recognize that they did, in fact, beat us as well) it seems that he is not as spent as it seemed a few months back.

So, what do you guys think? Is he really declining? Stagnating? How many more years can he score 30/season for?

He's good against weak teams who don't defend to any kind of level. Wolfsburg didn't defend properly in the second leg and he took advantage and the league table shows they're weak. City don't defend well either usually and he keeps getting lucky with draws.

Look at the Classico he wasn't in the game for 75 minutes and then Barca decided to just stop playing and then he came alive.

He has declined but he hasn't lost his hunger and any let up from opponents he pounces.

 

[gasgas]

He's good against weak teams who don't defend to any kind of level. Wolfsburg didn't defend properly in the second leg and he took advantage and the league table shows they're weak. City don't defend well either usually and he keeps getting lucky with draws.

Look at the Classico he wasn't in the game for 75 minutes and then Barca decided to just stop playing and then he came alive.

He has declined but he hasn't lost his hunger and any let up from opponents he pounces.

I remember him skinning jordi alba for a shot

 

[Jamie Cal]

inb4 cristiano to score 4 past city, just to disappear in the final against bayern or atl

Are 4 semi final goals not valuable?

I remember some guy for Barca scored 2 massive goals in the semis one year, before his strike partners scored the goals in the final. Wasn't too upset.

 

[ThwiX]

[tw]722908578240024577[/tw]

 

[Hardy]

so he's human?

 

[Devils]

I bet you guys this was just a minor knock and he will be back for next game.

This annoying prick won't go away that easily.

 

[Jamie Cal]

When he did that pass where you look one way and the pass the other tonight, but was the direction he was looking had basically nothing there. I laughed so hard. So pointless.

 

[Morten]

If it was Bale/James etc i would assume a couple of weeks out, but since its Ronaldo im not too worried. I think he will be back pretty soon.