Ronaldo: Football loses a legend

Over a month has passed since the eternal number nine announced his decision to retire. Finally, as the hysteria subdues and the tributes cease, the time for true reflection on the career of the “Phenomenon” can be begin.

 Whether Ronaldo is the greatest of all time, the greatest of his generation or just one of many great strikers is another article for another day. What is most significant, and why he will be missed most dearly, was his ability to transcend club allegiances and national patriotism and become loved by fans all over the world regardless.

The greatest testament to the popularity of Ronaldo is reflected by the respect and admiration shown to him by fans on both sides of possibly Europe’s two biggest rivalries, Barcelona Real Madrid and Ac Milan and Inter Milan.  It is hard to imagine Zlatan Ibrahimovic for example being held in the same regard by fans of Italy’s giants as Ronaldo.

When will we see a player again that can captivate both sets of supporters with incredible pace, skill and artistry. Inspire those around him as he did in Japan and Korea when Brazil were dragged to the finish line by his will to overcome years of  injury heartache. While making even the most passionate of United fan applauded his genus as they did after a champions league hat trick at the theatre of dreams.

Even now when we have two giants of the modern game, Cristiano Ronaldo and Leo Messi conquering La Liga neither of them seem to have caught the publics imagination as romantically as the Ronaldo did. Messi is thought to be boring by some, playing in a team of world beaters being greatly assisted by Xavi and growth hormones taken as a teenagers. Ronaldo is also not universally popular, many view him as arrogant or as a diver and a cheat. 

 Ronaldo though was able to win the world over. Have fans from every team cheering him on as he celebrated each goal, waving his finger in defiance of doubters and flashing a beaming smile with his signature buckteeth.

It is qualities such as these that make “O Fenomeno” footballs idol, football’s player. Not just a Brazil, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Ac Milan or Corinthians  legend, but a legend of the game itself.