GOALThe powers of the winner of the Ballon d’Or five times have been declining for years, and now he’s seriously tarnishing his legacy.
Cristiano Ronaldo has had some memorable tantrums over the years, but few more childish and embarrassing than his outburst during Al-Nassr's Saudi Super Cup final defeat against Al-Hilal. Ronaldo gave his team the lead with an instinctive close-range finish just before the break, but Luis Castro's side completely capitulated in the second half and found themselves on the wrong end of a 4-1 thrashing.
Former Barcelona winger Malcom dealt the final blow after capitalising on a horrendous error from Al-Nassr goalkeeper Bento, which pushed Ronaldo over the edge. The 39-year-old accused his team-mates of 'sleeping' as he stood in the centre circle with two hands next to his ear, before making a lewd gesture that appeared to imply they had 'sh*t themselves'.
The sight was pitiful. Al-Nassr’s captain, who is also the world’s highest-earning footballer, displayed an astonishing lack of decorum and self-awareness when his team needed him the most. Al-Hilal’s fourth goal was scored with 18 minutes of regular time still remaining. Although it would have been a significant challenge to equalize, Al-Nassr could have at least preserved their dignity.
Unfortunately, this version of Ronaldo only plays for himself. It's no coincidence that Al-Nassr have not won a single trophy since his ground-breaking arrival in January last year. Ronaldo is in complete denial over the fact he is a shadow of the player he once was, and instead of drawing crowds he now repels them with his immature behaviour as he desperately clings to relevancy in an era that has long passed him by.
