RONALDO TRAILING IN MESSI’S WAKE AHEAD OF EL CLASICO
Ronaldo trailing in Messi’s wake after mimicking celebration
THE defining image of the previous Clasico in the league last April was the sight of Lionel Messi defiantly showing the back of his shirt to the baying Real Madrid crowd after burying the winning goal to settle a thrilling contest 3-2 for Barcelona.
The goal, also the Argentine’s 500th strike for his club, proved futile in Barca’s pursuit of Real, who still won a first La Liga crown in five years, but has had a surprising knock on effect on the current campaign. Cristiano Ronaldo, locked in a compelling battle with Messi for the title of being the best player in the world, replicated Messi’s celebration four months later when he scored for Real against Barca in the Nou Camp in the Spanish Super Cup, but his actions had unintended consequences. Ronaldo incurred an automatic booking for removing his shirt to celebrate the goal in Real’s 3-1 win and two minutes later was sent off for a second yellow card, this time for diving.
Incredulous at the decision, he pushed referee Ricardo De Burgos Bengoetxea and was subsequently slapped with a five-game ban, missing Real’s opening four La Liga games.
By the time Ronaldo made his first league appearance of the season in an eventual 1-0 defeat by Real Betis on Sept 20, Messi was already on a remarkable nine goals, while Real were seven points adrift of Barca at that stage.
The champions host their bitter rivals tomorrow sitting fourth in the La Liga standings, 11 points behind Barca, although they have a game in hand. No side have ever won the title after falling eight points behind the leaders.
Not helped by his lack of match practice, Ronaldo did not open his account in the leeague untilil hishi fourthfh league game, sstriking the winner against Getafe, wwhile his second goal did not come unntil his ninth appearance, against Maalaga.
His two goalss in the last league outing against SevillaS took him to four for the season, his worst campaignn so far in nine years in Spain. Twenty one players have sccored more than the usually proliffic Portuguese iin Spain’s top flighht this season, witth Messi leading thhe way with 141 goals.
Ronaldo hass compensated for hhis poor domestic form bby maintaining his usuual high standards in innternational compettitions. He is the top scorer in this se ason’s Champions Leaggue with nine goals and laast weekend struck the only goal in the Club WorldW Cup final against Gremio to help Real sign offo 2017 with a club record fivve trophies.
His flounderinng league displays have not affected his self-confidence, either.
“There is not a more complete player thhan me and I believe I am thhe best player in the history of footbball, in the good and the bad momeents,” Ronaldo told France Footballl this month after winning the Baallon d’Or and tying Messi in being namedn World Player of the Year a reccord fifth time.
With five goals in his last four games in all coompetitions, Ronaldo heads into thee Clasico in prolific form, and it would be no big surprise if he insppired Real to victory over Barca.
But even if hee does, Real will still face a huge taskk in chasing down the Catalans, who marchedm into an early lead while Ronaldo was shackled by his ban, partly due to mimicking Messi’s iconic celebration.