Throwback Article: Nani Vs Ronaldo - PART 1
Posted on 07. Apr, 2010 by Broadband in Football, Sports
Nani Vs Ronaldo - This Club Aint Big Enough For The Both Of Us (2008)
After such an illustrious season courtesy of the “Sultan of Style” Cristiano Ronaldo, I’m sure the majority would answer the title with the words “Then see you later Nani”.
However this young writer begs to differ; whereas many see the luxuries of the present, they fail to look at the bigger picture which is the comfortability of the future of Manchester United, Nani representing the latter.
Sir Alex Ferguson is in the enviable position of developing his 4th team of world football domination, but is subconsciously deterred by the inevitable fact that Ronaldo will not be a part of that team in years to come. Ronaldo 23, who many consider to have carried the united team on his back last season, has not shied away from stating his desire to play in Spain in the near future. Unsettling the minds of many fans, the wing wizard’s love for Real Madrid has caused minor controversy in the club Camp but major ammunition for media manipulation. Is it time for Ferguson to cash in on the world’s best player?
Many will tell you no but small yet visible signs suggest that maybe it is best to sell Ronaldo once a replacement has been recognised. Ronaldo is at a current stage where his mind isn’t with Man Utd even though his heart may be. Time after time we have seen sources including those from 
himself claiming that he wants to play for Real Madrid. The money and the lifestyle of Spanish living coupled with the lure of Real Madrid and their reputation as the original Los Galacticos means it is a losing battle for Manchester United to keep him. Psychologically United may be losing the battle as Ronaldo’s mentality is changing and sudden serge of ego related behaviour has crept through the once quiet and humble character.
On the pitch his strengths are more than evident but fans claim his showboating caters to his ego. The constant flicks and step-overs are a proven source of anguish for both opponents and fans. Could this be referred to as cocky or over confident? If so then it is a very small percentage of ego-driven behaviour as those are a part of his game and manoeuvres not unfamiliar to top professional players over the years.
(Henry scoring a free-kick versus Wigan and sarcastic commenting towards the referee…cocky? Robinho’s numerous step-overs before going past a player….over confident? Ronaldinho flicking the ball over the same player four times…cocky?) Im sure “no” would be the unanimous answer to those examples. However it is another part of Ronaldo’s game that compliments ego driven behaviour…the whine.
Ronaldo is often prone to complaining when he doesn’t get his way. Whether it be from a crunching tackle or a pass that didn’t quite find him, he’s ego has somehow caused him to complain at that very same moment each time and not concentrate on the impending counter attack from the opposing team. Instead he stays standing either swinging his arms in the air or holding his hips in dismay….not exactly team behaviour. A lack of defending may cost him medals. For now it is yet to be seen, as he has received all trophies at the theatre of dreams. What is of even more concern is the sudden ego reflected in his interviews. “When it’s said that I don’t play well against the big teams it does not annoy me because I know I am the best”. This quote startled me, Is cocky the new humble? I think not. Could Ronaldo be delving into his own hype? I think so.
We now have a situation where Ronaldo is the best player in the world, knows it and has won everything at Manchester United. He also causes confusion about whether he wants to stay at the club whilst suggesting that Real Madrid is his future. It seems this club isn’t big enough for him even though he is yet to reach his peak. So what’s next? Simple, nurture his replacement.
This is where Nani fits in
Click HERE for PART 2
Pic Sources http://cristianoronaldo.today.com/files/2009/03/cristiano_ronaldo_sitting_on_the_pitch.jpg http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3518/3299536422_825838f1c4.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.flickr.com/photos/31107714%40N05/3299536422/&usg=___vx2YZBH6q_b3LcNGCuXm9aqIao=&h=500&w=362&sz=117&hl=en&start=4&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=zc9MzRCVx1xXyM:&tbnh=130&tbnw=94&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dnani%2Band%2Bronaldo%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26sa%3DG%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-GB:official%26tbs%3Disch:1 http://i35.tinypic.com/2u97bk5.jpg
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