["\u201cBecause\tyou\tare\tbetter\tthan\tme.\u201d\u201929 Years\tlater,\ta\tjournalist\twent\tto\tFantrau\u2019s\thouse\tand\tasked\thim\tif\tthe\tstory\twas true.\tHe\tsaid\tit\twas,\tgoing\ton\tto\treveal\tthat\this\tfootballing\tcareer\thad\tcome\tto\tan end\tafter\tthe\tgame\tand\tthat\the\twas\tunemployed.\tThe\tjournalist\tasked\thim,\t\u2018How can\tyou\tlive\tin\tsuch\ta\tbig\thouse,\twith\tseveral\tcars.\tYou\tlook\tlike\ta\trich\tperson. On\ttop\tof\tthat,\tyou\tprovide\tfor\tyour\tfamily.\tWhere\tdoes\tall\tthis\tcome\tfrom?\u2019\tTo which\tAlbert\tproudly\treplied,\t\u2018All\tthis\tcomes\tfrom\tCristiano.\u2019 Some\tpeople\tsay\tthat\tthey\tsaw\tthe\tpair\thugging\tduring\tthe\tLa\tD\u00e9cima celebrations\tat\tthe\tEst\u00e1dio\tda\tLuz. Speaking\tof\thugging,\tCristiano\thad\talso\tmade\ta\tpact\twith\this\tbrother\tHugo:\tif\the stopped\tdrinking,\tRonaldo\twould\tdedicate\tLa\tD\u00e9cima\tto\thim.\tThis\texplains\ttheir euphoric\tembrace\tat\tthe\tend\tof\tthe\tgame. The\tstar\tcould\thave\thad\ta\tmuch\tmore\tproductive\t2014\tWorld\tCup\tin\tBrazil\thad a\tGhanaian\twitch\tdoctor\tnot\thexed\thim\t(placing\ta\tspecial\tpotion\tin\tfront\tof\ta photograph\tof\tthe\tforward)\tto\tprevent\thim\tplaying\tagainst\tGhana.\tIn\tinterviews with\tinternational\tnewspapers,\tthe\tsorcerer\tclaimed\tthat\tRonaldo\u2019s\tknee problems\twere\t\u2018spiritual\u2019. You\tmay\tremember\tthat\tCristiano\tsported\ta\tnew\tlook,\twith\tzigzagging\tlines shaved\tinto\this\thair\trepresenting\tthe\tscar\tthat\tErik\tOrtiz\tCruz,\ta\tSpanish\tboy born\twith\tcortical\tdysplasia,\twas\tleft\twith\tafter\tan\toperation\tto\tremove\ta\tbrain tumour. In\tMay\t2015,\tthe\tFrench\tmagazine\tSo\tFoot\treported\tthat\tthe\tplayer\thad\tdonated \u00a35\tmillion\tto\tthe\tcharity\tSave\tthe\tChildren\tto\thelp\ttheir\temergency\tresponse efforts\tfollowing\tthe\tearthquake\tin\tNepal. All\tof\tthe\tabove\thas\tbeen\tpublished. And\tit\tis\tall\tlies. It\tis\tall\ttoo\teasy\tto\tbecome\ta\tscriptwriter\tin\tthe\tdrama\tthat\tmakes\tup\tthe\tlives\tof the\tRonaldos\tof\tthis\tworld.\tThis\tstems\tfrom\tthe\tlack\tof\trigour\tamong\tthe\tgutter press\tand\tthe\tdesire\tto\tknow\teverything\tabout\tcelebrities,\tdown\tto\tthe\tsmallest detail.\tEven\tif\tit\tis\tnot\ttrue.","Whenever\the\tis\tasked\tabout\tCristiano,\tJorge\tMendes\tinsists\tthat\twe\tdo\tnot\tknow the\treal\thim,\tthat\taway\tfrom\tthe\tspotlight\the\tis\ta\tlovely\tguy.\tThat\the\tlikes\tto laugh\tat\thimself\tand\tis\tdeeply\tloyal\tto\this\tnearest\tand\tdearest.\tSo\ton\tand\tso forth. But\tMendes\thas\tnot\tallowed\tus\tto\tget\tto\tknow\thim\teither.\tAll\tinterviews\twith Ronaldo\tare\tsteered\tin\ta\tparticular\tdirection;\tif\tsomeone\tcomes\talong\twho\twants to\twrite\topenly\tabout\this\tenvironment\tand\ttry\tto\tfind\tout\twhat\tmade\thim\twhat he\tis\ttoday,\tthey\tmay\tfind\tsome\tdoors\tclosed\tto\tthem. He\thas\tspent\this\twhole\tlife\tin\ta\tcage.\tHe\tis\tthe\tfirst\tPortugal\tcaptain\tnot\tto\tgive his\tphone\tnumber\tto\tthe\tcountry\u2019s\ttop\treporters. Instead\tof\tletting\tother\tpeople\twrite\tRonaldo\u2019s\tstory,\tMendes\tdecided\tit\twas time\tfor\tthe\tplayer\tto\tput\ton\ta\tnice-guy\tact,\tbecause\this\tunstable\tpublic\timage was\tdenying\thim\tthe\taffection\the\tcraved,\tas\twell\tas\tcosting\thim\tvotes\tfor individual\tawards\tand\tmoney\tin\tcommercial\tdeals. This\tprocess\thad\tbeen\tongoing\tfor\tsome\ttime,\tbut\tCristiano\u2019s\tcomments\tin Zagreb\thad\tinterrupted\tit. The\tcharm\toffensive\thad\tto\tbe\tresumed. Extract\tfrom\tan\tinterview\twith\tPedro\tPinto\tfor\tCNN\tin\tNovember\t2012: \u2018The\tBallon\td\u2019Or\tis\taround\tthe\tcorner.\tBe\thonest\twith\tme:\thow\tmuch\tdo\tyou want\tto\twin\tit?\u2019 \u2018A\tlot\t.\t.\t.\tThis\twould\tmean\ta\tlot\tto\tme.\u2019 \u2018Do\tyou\tthink\tthat\tsometimes\tyou\u2019re\ta\tvictim\tof\tyour\town\timage?\u2019 \u2018I\tdon\u2019t\twant\tto\tcry\tabout\tthat,\tbut\tsometimes\tI\tdo\tthink\tI\tam.\tIt\u2019s\ta\tquestion\tfor which\tI\tcan\tnever\tgive\tthe\t100\tper\tcent\tright\tanswer,\tbecause\tsometimes\tI honestly\tdon\u2019t\tknow\t.\t.\t.\tI\thave\tto\tagree\tthat\tsometimes\tI\tend\tup\tsending\ta\tbad image\tof\tmyself\ton\tthe\tpitch,\tbecause\tI\u2019m\talways\tvery\tserious\twhen\tI\tplay.\tBut if\tyou\treally\tknow\tme,\tif\tyou\tare\ta\tfriend\tof\tmine,\tif\tyou\thave\tthe\topportunity\tto live\tunder\tthe\tsame\troof\twith\tme\tor\tif\tyou\tshare\ta\tday\twith\tme,\tyou\twill\tknow that\tit\u2019s\tjust\ta\tsign\tof\tmy\tnature,\tsince\tI\thate\tto\tlose!\u2019","\u2018So\twhen\tthey\tsay\tyou\u2019re\tarrogant,\tfor\texample,\twhat\tdoes\tthat\tmake\tyou\tfeel?\u2019 \u2018I\twould\tlike\tto\thave\tthe\tchance\tto\tsit\tdown\twith\tmost\tof\tthose\tpeople\twho\tcall me\tarrogant\tone\tday\tand\tto\tsimply\thave\ta\tchat\twith\tthem,\tso\tthey\tcould\tsee\tI\u2019m not\tan\tarrogant\tperson.\tI\tthink\tthey\thave\tto\tsit\twith\tme\tand\tto\tspeak\twith\tme,\tin order\tto\tknow\twho\tis\tthe\treal\tCristiano\t.\t.\t.\u2019 \u2018Who\tis\tthe\treal\tCristiano\tRonaldo?\u2019 \u2018Well,\tI\twould\tdescribe\tmyself\tas\ta\tgood\tfriend\tof\twhoever\tis\talso\tmy\tfriend;\tI hate\tto\tlose;\tI\u2019m\thonest\tand\ta\tdirect\tperson\t.\t.\t.\u2019 \u2018So\tdo\tyou\tthink\tyou\u2019re\tpaying\tthe\tprice\tfor\tbeing\ttoo\thonest\tthen?\u2019 \u2018Yes,\tsometimes\tI\tdo\t.\t.\t.\tdefinitely\tyes.\tBut\twho\tI\tam\tis\tpart\tof\tmy\teducation.\u2019 \u2018This\tis\ta\tpicture\tof\tyour\tmum,\tyour\tson,\tyour\tgirlfriend,\tsome\tof\tthe\timportant people\tin\tyour\tlife\tat\tthe\tSantiago\tBernab\u00e9u,\tand\tI\thave\tto\task\tyou\tabout\tbeing\ta father.\tHow\tis\tCristiano\tthe\tfather?\u2019 \u2018I\u2019m\tnot\tbad\tat\tbeing\ta\tdad.\tI\u2019m\tstill\tlearning\tbut\tthe\tbest\tthing\tin\tlife\tis\tto\thave a\tkid.\tIt\u2019s\tlike\tliving\ta\tdream.\tTo\twake\tup\teach\tmorning\tand\thear\thim\tsay \u201cDaddy,\tdaddy\t.\t.\t.\u201d\tI\tlove\tit.\u2019 \u2018So\tyou\tdo\twish\tsometimes\tthat\tyou\tcould\tgo\tout\tand\tno\tone\twould\trecognise you?\u2019 \u2018Oh\tyes.\tI\u2019d\tpay\tfor\tthat\tif\tit\twere\tpossible.\u2019 \u2018I\twas\twrong\tto\tsay\tthat\tpeople\twere\tjealous\tof\tme\t.\t.\t.\tI\u2019m\tnot\tperfect,\tI\tmake mistakes\ttoo\tand\twhen\tI\tsay\tsomething\tthat\u2019s\tnot\tright,\tI\tapologise.\u2019 Cristiano\tRonaldo,\tspeaking\tto\tthe\tpress At\tthe\tend\tof\t2012,\tcoinciding\twith\this\tnotorious\t\u2018sad\u2019\tperiod,\tefforts\tto\tpolish up\tRonaldo\u2019s\timage\twere\tstepped\tup.\tHighly\tregarded\tjournalist\tPedro\tPinto, CR7\u2019s\tfellow\tcountryman\tand\tnow\tMichel\tPlatini\u2019s\tright-hand\tman\tat\tUEFA, had\tbeen\ttelling\tJorge\tMendes\tfor\tyears\tthat\tthings\twere\tnot\tbeing\tdone\tin\tthe right\tway.\tHis\tinterview\trevealed\ta\tmore\trelaxed\tRonaldo,\tinviting\tus\tinto\this home\tand\tadmitting\this\tmistakes.","home\tand\tadmitting\this\tmistakes. Social\tmedia\tbecame\ta\tplatform\tfor\tRonaldo\tto\tinteract\tmore\twith\tfans\tand show\ta\tmore\thuman\tside,\tand\tsoon\the\tbecame\tthe\tmost\tfollowed\tfootballer\ton Facebook,\tTwitter\tand\tInstagram. \u2018He\tused\tto\tbe\treluctant\tto\tstop\tand\tsign\tautographs,\u2019\trecalled\tNuno\tLuz,\ta journalist\twho\thas\tclose\tties\twith\tthe\tRonaldo\tcamp.\t\u2018From\tthen\ton,\the\tbegan\tto stop.\tHe\talways\tmakes\thimself\tavailable\tto\teveryone\twhen\the\tgets\toff\tthe\tcoach; he\tunderstood\tthat\tto\tbe\tthe\tbest\tin\tthe\tworld\tand\twin\tthe\tBallon\td\u2019Or,\the\thad\tto reach\tpeople.\u2019 It\twas\tessential\tthat\tthis\tshift\tnot\tbe\tmerely\tsuperficial,\tso\tas\twell\tas\tcontinuing to\tlobby\tthe\tmedia\t\u2013\tpassing\ton\tinside\tinformation\tand\tputting\tpressure\ton journalists\twho\tdid\tnot\tsupport\tthe\tplayer\tenough\t\u2013\tMendes\tfound\tCristiano\tan image\tconsultant.\tAnd\ta\tpsychologist. For\ta\twhile,\tboth\troles\twere\tperformed\tby\ta\tPortuguese\tspecialist\twho\twould accompany\tthe\tstar\tto\tmany\ttraining\tsessions\tand\thave\tdinner\twith\thim\tafter matches.\tThe\tidea\twas\tclear:\tto\ttry\tto\tcontrol\this\timpulsive\tside\tand\tunderstand what\twas\tbehind\this\tneed\tto\tconstantly\tshow\this\tgreatness. Ronaldo\twas\turged\tto\tcalm\tdown,\trein\tin\this\temotions\tand\taccept\tthat\tthe\tabuse he\treceived\twas\tthe\tresult\tof\thim\tbeing\tfeared\tand\twas\tintended\tto\tprovoke\thim. He\thad\theard\tall\tthese\tthings\tduring\this\ttime\tat\tManchester\tUnited,\tbut\thad\tto\tbe reminded. Zinedine\tZidane\u2019s\tadvice\thelped\thim\ta\tgreat\tdeal,\ttoo.\tThe\tFrench\tlegend repeated\tthe\tsame\tmessage\tto\thim\tagain\tand\tagain,\tworded\tin\ta\thundred different\tways:\t\u2018You\thave\tto\tthink\tof\tthe\tteam.\u2019\tIf\the\tdid\ta\tlittle\tbit\tless\tfor himself\tand\tmore\tfor\this\tteam-mates,\tthe\tteam\twould\tflourish\tand\tso\twould\the. This\tis\tvery\tmuch\ta\tlogical\tequation,\tbut\tit\tcan\tsometimes\tbe\tdifficult\tto\tsolve. The\tpair\thad\tlong\tchats\tat\tthe\tend\tof\tsessions\tat\tthe\tValdebebas\ttraining\tground, during\twhich\tZidane\tasked\tCristiano\tto\tput\thimself\tin\this\tteam-mates\u2019\tshoes.\tIf he\tcould\tunderstand\ttheir\tfears\tand\tambitions,\the\tcould\trepress\tthe\tinstinct\tto condescendingly\tremind\tthem\tthat\tthey\tweren\u2019t\tas\tgood\tas\thim.\tThe\tFrenchman told\thim\tthat\the\thad\tto\taccept\tthe\tidea\tthat\this\tteam-mates\tdid\tnot\tsee\tthings\tthe way\the\tdid. Cristiano\tJr\twas\ttwo\twhen\tthe\t2012\u201313\tseason\tkicked\toff.\tThe\tchild\u2019s\tfather\thad","Cristiano\tJr\twas\ttwo\twhen\tthe\t2012\u201313\tseason\tkicked\toff.\tThe\tchild\u2019s\tfather\thad a\tsteady\tpartner\tin\tmodel\tIrina\tShayk.\tSuddenly\this\tlife\thad\ttaken\ton\ta semblance\tof\tnormalcy. This\tsettled\tpersonal\tlife\tdid\tnot\tcurb\this\tcompetitiveness.\tHe\tstill\thad\tone obstacle\tthat\the\thad\tto\tovercome\tto\tachieve\this\tgoals:\tLeo\tMessi. This\tbattle\tdrove\tRonaldo\ton.\tAs\ta\twell-known\tcoach\ttold\thim,\t\u2018If\tyou\tdidn\u2019t have\ta\tplayer\tto\tcompete\twith,\tyou\tcould\ttake\tit\teasy.\tInstead,\ttoday\tyou\twake up\twith\tan\tobjective.\tMessi\tis\tyour\tpermanent\tchallenge.\u2019 During\ta\tlong\tchat\twith\tMarca\teditor\t\u00d3scar\tCampillo,\the\ttold\tme\tabout\ta conversation\the\u2019d\thad\twith\tCristiano,\tone\tthat\the\thad\tnever\ttold\tanyone\telse about: \u2018He\tasked\tme\twhy\tpeople\tloved\tMessi\tand\tnot\thim.\tI\ttold\thim\tthat\tit\twas because\tMessi\twas\tmuch\tsmarter\tthan\thim.\tThey\tmay\tbe\tequally\tarrogant\ton\tthe pitch,\tbut\tLeo\talways\thad\tkind\twords\tfor\this\tteam-mates,\talways\tcredited\tthem for\this\tsuccess\tand\tnormally\tcelebrated\tgoals,\twhether\tthey\twere\tscored\tby\thim or\tsomeone\telse\tin\tthe\tteam,\twhether\the\tliked\tit\tor\tnot.\tCristiano\twas\tthe opposite:\the\talways\tpointed\tto\thimself\tor\this\tmuscles,\the\tseemed\tto\tcelebrate\this team-mates\u2019\tgoals\tgrudgingly\tand\tyet\twent\treally\tover\tthe\ttop\twhen\tcelebrating his\town. \u2018I\tthought\tthat\the\twould\tget\tangry\twhen\the\theard\tall\tthis. \u2018Actually,\tthough,\the\tpaused\tfor\ta\tlittle\twhile,\teight\tto\tten\tseconds,\tto\tdigest\tit. Then\the\tsaid\tto\tme,\t\u201cI\u2019ll\thave\tto\tdo\tsome\tthinking.\tMaybe\twe\u2019ll\ttalk\tabout\tthis again\tone\tday.\u201d\tIt\thasn\u2019t\thappened\tyet,\tthough.\u2019 Rio\tFerdinand\tbelieves\tthat\t\u2018deep\tdown\u2019,\tCristiano\tis\tobsessed\twith\tMessi:\t\u2018He won\u2019t\tadmit\tit\tnow,\tbut\tin\ttime,\twhen\the\tretires,\the\u2019ll\tadmit\tit.\u2019 He\thas\tnot\tadmitted\tit\tyet. Anyway,\twhat\trepresents\ta\tbigger\tobsession,\tRonaldo\u2019s\tconstant\treferences\tto Messi\tor\tthe\tconstant\tquestions\tabout\ttheir\trivalry?\tIt\tis\tthe\tpublic\tand\tthe\tmedia that\thave\tfuelled\tthis\tmost\tabsurd\tof\tdebates\tabout\twho\tis\tthe\tbest. Or\tis\tit?","\u2018I\tam\tthe\tfirst,\tsecond\tand\tthird\tbest\tplayer\tin\tthe\tworld.\u2019\t(O\tEstado\tde\tSao Paulo,\t2008)30 \u2018I\u2019m\thappy\tto\tbe\tthe\tmost\texpensive\tplayer\tin\tthe\tworld.\u2019\t(Real\tMadrid\tpress conference,\tJuly\t2009) \u2018Am\tI\tbetter\tthan\tMessi?\tYou\tknow\tfull\twell\tthat\tI\u2019m\tnot\tgoing\tto\tanswer\tthat.\u2019 (Antena\t3\tinterview,\t2011) \u2018Chanting\t\u201cMessi,\tMessi\u201d\tat\tme\tis\tthe\tsort\tof\tthing\ta\tmoron\twould\tdo.\tAnyone who\tlikes\tfootball\tlikes\twatching\tCristiano\tRonaldo.\u2019\t(Press\tconference,\tOctober 2011) \u2018It\u2019s\tpart\tof\tmy\tlife\tnow.\tIt\u2019s\tonly\tnormal\tfor\tpeople\tto\tcompare\tus,\tjust\tlike\tthey compare\tFerrari\tand\tMercedes\tin\tFormula\t1.\tIt\tcomes\twith\tthe\tterritory\tand\tI\u2019m used\tto\tit.\u2019\t(Marca,\t2014)31 \u2018We\u2019re\tcolleagues.\tWe\u2019re\twork\tfriends,\tso\tto\tspeak,\tand\tso,\tobviously,\twe\tdon\u2019t have\ta\trelationship\toutside\tthe\tworld\tof\tfootball\t.\t.\t.\tI\thope\twe\tend\tup\tlaughing about\tall\tthis\twhen\twe\tlook\tback\ton\tit\ttogether\tin\ta\tfew\tyears.\u2019\t(Marca,\t2014)31 \u2018I\tthink\tthat\tI\u2019m\tthe\tbest\tin\tmy\tprofession\tand\tI\twork\thard\tto\tthat\tend.\tBut\tif that\u2019s\tnot\tpossible,\tin\tmy\thead\tI\u2019ll\talways\tthink\tI\u2019m\tthe\tbest.\u2019\t(AS,\t2014)32 \u2018Of\tcourse\tcompetition\thelps\tme\tto\tbe\ta\tbetter\tplayer.\tBut\tnot\tonly\tcompetition with\tMessi,\talso\twith\tother\ttop-class\tplayers\tlike\tthose\tI\tsee\tin\tthe\tPremier League\tand\tin\tother\tleagues,\tsuch\tas\tLuis\tSu\u00e1rez,\tAndr\u00e9s\tIniesta,\tNeymar, Gareth\tBale,\tDiego\tCosta\tand\tRadamel\tFalcao.\tThey\timprove\tthe\tlevel\tthey\tplay at\tand\tbecause\tof\tthis\tI\u2019m\talso\tgoing\tto\timprove.\tMessi\tand\tI\tboth\twant\tto\tbe\tthe best\tand\twe\thelp\teach\tother\tto\tbetter\tourselves.\u2019\t(TVI\tof\tPortugal,\t2014) How\tI\twould\tlove\tto\tsit\tdown\tand\tchat\twith\tRonaldo\tand\tMessi\ttogether\tin\tten years\u2019\ttime. In\trecent\ttimes,\tthe\tSpanish\tpress\thave\tbegun\tto\treflect\tthe\tincreasing\tdrama\tof the\tReal\tMadrid\u2013Bar\u00e7a\trivalry,\twhich\tat\ttimes\thas\ttaken\ton\tan\tunprecedented virulence.\tThere\twere\tthree\thighly\tintense\tyears\ttowards\tthe\tend\tof\tthe\t1950s, when\tHelenio\tHerrera,\tDi\tSt\u00e9fano\tand\tL\u00e1szl\u00f3\tKubala\twere\taround,\tbut\tthe drama\twas\tnot\tthe\tsame.\tThe\tcurrent\tperiod\thas\tdragged\ton\tfor\tan","drama\twas\tnot\tthe\tsame.\tThe\tcurrent\tperiod\thas\tdragged\ton\tfor\tan unprecedented\tnumber\tof\tyears. Cristiano\tarrived\tin\tSpain\twith\tone\tBallon\td\u2019Or\tunder\this\tbelt.\tHe\thas\twon\ta further\ttwo\tin\ta\tReal\tMadrid\tshirt,\twhile\tMessi\thas\tcaptured\tfour.\tBetween them,\tthey\thave\tcleaned\tup\tover\tthe\tlast\tseven\tyears.\tAnd\tthey\tplay\tin\tthe\tsame league;\tit\tis\talmost\tas\tif\tReal\tMadrid\tand\tBar\u00e7a\tface\toff\tevery\tday\tin\tSpain.\tIf Cristiano\tputs\tthree\tgoals\tpast\tCelta\tand\tMessi\tdoes\tthe\tsame\tagainst\tAlmer\u00eda, Real\tMadrid\tand\tBar\u00e7a\tare\tnot\tplaying\tagainst\tone\tanother,\tbut\tit\tseems\tas\tif they\tare.\tSince\twe\ttake\tfor\tgranted\tthat\tReal\tMadrid\twill\tbeat\tCelta\tand\tBar\u00e7a will\tbeat\tAlmer\u00eda,\twe\tcount\thow\tmany\tgoals\tCristiano\tand\tMessi\tscore.\tIt\tis\tthe new\tpastime. And\twe\tare\tlucky\tto\tenjoy\tit\tup\tclose. Jorge\tValdano\tsaid\tin\tan\tinterview\tfor\tthe\tpopular\tSpanish\tradio\tshow\tEl Larguero:\t\u2018Messi\towes\this\tmum\tand\tdad\tfar\tmore\tthan\tCristiano\tdoes\u2019.\tThis may\tpossibly\tbe\tthe\tcase,\tbut\tthey\thave\thad\tsimilar\troads\tto\tthe\ttop. What\tseparates\tthem\tis\ttheir\tattitudes\tto\tperforming\tin\tfront\tof\tthe\tpublic.\tThis\tis the\tfootball\tworld\u2019s\tperception\tof\ttheir\trespective\tvisions\tof\tthe\tgame:\t\u2018The difference,\tI\twould\tsay,\tis\tthat\tRonaldo\tlikes\tthe\toccasion,\u2019\tsaid\tRen\u00e9 Meulensteen,\tAlex\tFerguson\u2019s\tformer\tassistant.\t\u2018Let\u2019s\tput\tit\tthis\tway:\twe\u2019ve\tgot Ronaldo\tplaying\tin\tone\tstadium,\tand\tMessi\tplaying\tin\tthe\tother.\tSuddenly\tall\tthe lights\tgo\tout\tand\teverything\tdisappears.\tMessi\twould\tgo\tand\tplay\tin\ta\tlit\tpark with\this\tfriends.\u2019 Nevertheless,\tfootball\tprofessionals\tplace\ta\tlot\tof\tstock\ton\tsomething\tthat\tis often\toverlooked:\tMessi\twins\ttrophies\twith\ta\tBarcelona\tside\twhich\thas\tbeen playing\twith\ta\tsimilar\tphilosophy\tthroughout\this\ttime\tthere.\tRonaldo\thas\thad\tto adapt\tto\tnew\tcities,\tcountries,\tlanguages,\tcultures\tand\tclubs,\twhich\ton\tpaper would\tseem\tto\tbe\ta\tbigger\tchallenge. Former\tManchester\tUnited\tgoalkeeper\tPeter\tSchmeichel\thas\toften\tclaimed\tthat Ronaldo\tcould\tshine\tin\ta\tbad\tteam,\twhereas\tMessi\tneeds\ta\tXavi\tor\tan\tIniesta alongside\thim.\tWhat\thappens\twith\tthe\tArgentinian\tnational\tteam\tcould\tbe\tcited as\tevidence\tof\tthis. AS\teditor\tAlfredo\tRela\u00f1o\thas\tspent\tthe\tlast\tdecade\tdebating\tthe\tduo\u2019s\tcredentials with\ta\tfriend.\t\u2018For\tyears\tsomeone\tvery\tclose\tto\tCristiano\tkept\ttelling\tme\tthat\the","was\tmuch\tbetter\tthan\tMessi.\tI\twould\tdisagree\twith\thim.\tHe\targued\tthat\tMessi played\tin\ta\tgreat\tBar\u00e7a\tteam,\twho\twere\tin\ta\tsense\tthe\tworld\tchampions\tat\tclub level,\tor\tthe\tclosest\tthing\tto\tit.\tWhereas\tCristiano\tplayed\tsurrounded\tby\tdisarray and\tyet\tstill\tscored\tfifty-plus\tgoals\ta\tseason.\tHe\u2019d\tsay\tthat\tif\tCristiano\tplayed\tfor Bar\u00e7a,\the\u2019d\tscore\ta\thundred\tgoals.\tI\twould\trefute\tthat\tpoint\tby\tsaying\tthat\tif Cristiano\tplayed\tfor\tBar\u00e7a,\tthe\tteam\u2019s\tstyle\tof\tfootball\twouldn\u2019t\tbe\tthe\tsame\tand there\twould\tbe\tno\ttelling\twhat\tmight\thappen.\tThat\u2019s\thow\tthe\tconversation would\tusually\tend.\u2019 And\tmaybe\tthis\tis\twhere\twe\tshould\tleave\tit.\t\u2018It\u2019s\tone\tof\tthe\tgreatest\tindividual battles\tof\tall\ttime,\u2019\tJorge\tValdano\twrote\tin\tSoho.25\t\u2018When\twe\ttalk\tabout\tthe\ttop players\tin\thistory,\twe\talways\trefer\tto\tDi\tSt\u00e9fano,\tPel\u00e9,\tCruyff\tand\tMaradona. They\teach\tembody\tan\tera,\tbut\ton\tthis\toccasion,\tthere\tare\ttwo\ttruly\textraordinary players\twho\tencapsulate\tthis\tera.\u2019 Messi\tand\tRonaldo\u2019s\tfirst\tmeeting\tcame\tin\tthe\tChampions\tLeague\tsemi-finals,\ta tie\tin\twhich\tneither\tof\tthem\tscored\tand\tManchester\tUnited\tknocked\tout Barcelona.\tAged\ttwenty\tand\ttwenty-three\trespectively,\tneither\tof\tthem\tcould envisage\tat\tthe\ttime\tjust\thow\tlarge\ta\tbearing\tthey\twould\thave\ton\teach\tother\u2019s careers.\tRonaldo\twon\tthe\tBallon\td\u2019Or\tthat\tyear.\tThe\tnext\tencounter\tcame\tin\tthe 2009\tChampions\tLeague\tfinal,\twith\tBarcelona\trunning\tout\t2\u20130\twinners\tand Messi\tscoring\tone\tof\tthe\tgoals.\tRonaldo\tbid\this\tteam-mates\tfarewell\tthat\tnight: he\twas\tabout\tto\tsign\tfor\tReal\tMadrid. Since\tthen,\tthis\tclash\tof\tthe\ttitans\thas\tmostly\tbeen\tplayed\tout\tin\tthe\tsame\ttwo rings.\tTo\tbegin\twith,\tMessi\tdominated\tat\tboth\tthe\tCamp\tNou\tand\tthe\tBernab\u00e9u, collecting\tBallons\td\u2019Or\tdespite\tRonaldo\tavoiding\tvoting\tfor\thim\t(and\tvice versa).\tThings\thave\tstarted\tbalancing\tout\tsince\tRonaldo\tscored\tthe\twinner\tin\tthe Copa\tdel\tRey\tfinal\tin\tApril\t2011. In\tthe\tReal\tMadrid\tdressing\troom,\tthat\t2010\u201312\tperiod\tis\tconsidered\tthe\theight of\tthe\tpair\u2019s\trivalry.\t\u2018You\tcould\ttell\twhat\tthe\tBarcelona\tscore\thad\tbeen\tor whether\tMessi\thad\tplayed\twell\tby\twatching\tRonaldo\ttrain,\u2019\trevealed\ta\tReal Madrid\tsource\twho\tprefers\tto\tremain\tanonymous.\tWhat\tMessi\tdid\tgave Cristiano\u2019s\tefforts\tan\textra\tedge:\tyou\tcould\tsee\tit\tin\this\tface,\tin\tthe\ttime\the\tspent in\tthe\tgym,\tin\this\tdetermination. One\tevening\tAS\tMonaco\u2019s\tthen\tdirector\tof\tfootball,\tTor-Kristian\tKarlsen,\thad dinner\twith\tJorge\tMendes,\twith\tCristiano\tRonaldo\talso\tin\tattendance.\tThe","Barcelona\tv.\tAtl\u00e9tico\tde\tMadrid\tmatch\twas\ton\tin\tthe\tbackground:\tFalcao\topened the\tscoring,\tbut\tLos\tAzulgranas\troared\tback\tand\tended\tup\tromping\tto\tvictory largely\tthanks\tto\ta\tsublime\tsecond-half\tdisplay\tfrom\tMessi,\tincluding\ttwo\tgoals. \u2018I\u2019m\tnot\tgoing\tto\tsay\texactly\twhat\twas\theard\tat\tthe\ttable,\u2019\tKarlsen\tnoted,\t\u2018but\tI certainly\tgot\tthe\timpression\tthat\tthere\twas\t\u201ca\tbit\u201d\tof\trivalry\tbetween\tthe\ttwo players.\u2019 When\tRonaldo\tspoke\tabout\tMessi\tin\tinsulting\tterms\tduring\tthose\tmonths,\tI\tam convinced\the\tdid\tso\tto\tdemonstrate\this\town\tstrength\tto\tothers,\trather\tthan\tout\tof a\tgenuine\tlack\tof\trespect. No\tone\tin\tSpanish\tfootball\thad\tever\tscored\tmore\tthan\tfifty\tgoals\tin\ta\tsingle season\tbefore\tCristiano\tarrived;\tthe\tPortuguese\thas\tnow\tdone\tso\tfive\ttimes\tto Messi\u2019s\tfour.\tIncredibly,\tthey\tboth\taverage\tover\ta\tgoal\ta\tgame\tsince\tRonaldo joined\tReal\tMadrid.\t\u2018You\tused\tto\tbe\ta\tgood\tgoalscorer\tif\tyou\tscored\tone\tin\ttwo. Not\tany\tmore!\u2019\tremarked\tGary\tNeville.\t\u2018They\u2019ve\timpacted\ton\tfootball\tbeyond their\town\tcareers.\tWe\thave\tto\tenjoy\twhat\twe\u2019re\twitnessing.\u2019 In\t2012\tthe\tpicture\tbegan\tto\tchange.\tThough\tMessi\twon\this\tfourth\tconsecutive Ballon\td\u2019Or,\the\tdid\tso\twith\tthe\tdebate\tabout\twho\twas\tat\tthe\tpinnacle\traging. Ronaldo\twas\tinstrumental\tin\tReal\tMadrid\tlifting\tthe\t2012\tLa\tLiga\ttitle,\tnot\tjust being\tprolific\tbut\talso\tbagging\tsome\thugely\timportant\tgoals:\tin\tsix\tcl\u00e1sicos,\the scored\tsix\ttimes\tto\tMessi\u2019s\tthree.\tLeo\u2019s\tstranglehold\twas\tloosening\tand\tonly Cristiano\tcould\tprevent\tthe\tArgentinian\tfrom\tclinching\ta\tfifth\tBallon\td\u2019Or. \u2018Sure,\tyou\tcan\tconjure\tup\tfactors\tto\tmitigate\ttheir\tsuccess,\u2019\twrote\tthe\tbrilliant journalist\tGabriele\tMarcotti: They\tboth\tplay\tfor\ttalented,\tattack-minded\tteams\tthat\tscore\tplenty\tof\tgoals\tand are\tnot\treluctant\tto\trun\tup\tthe\tscore.\tBoth\thave\tstellar\tsupporting\tcasts\tthat\tare happy\tto\tcede\tthe\tlimelight\tand\twork\thard\tfor\ttheir\trespective\tsuperstars.\tAnd both\tbenefit\tfrom\tthe\tfact\tthat\tstar\tplayers\treceive\tmore\tprotection\tfrom\tmatch officials,\tunlike\ta\tfew\tyears\tago,\twhen\tthey\tmight\thave\tbeen\tkicked\tblack,\tblue and\tpurple. But\tthe\tfact\tremains\tthat\twe\u2019re\twitnessing\ttwo\tmen\twho\tare\tpushing\tthe\tlimits of\ttheir\tsport\t\u2013\ttwo\tsuperstars\twho,\ttechnically\tand\tstylistically,\tare\tvery\tmuch the\tproduct\tof\tthis\tera\tyet\tsomehow\tmanage\tto\ttranscend\tit,\ttoo.33 Do\tthe\tpair\tsee\tthe\tgame\tthe\tsame\tway?\tSince\ttheir\tLa\tLiga\trivalry\tkicked\toff,","Do\tthe\tpair\tsee\tthe\tgame\tthe\tsame\tway?\tSince\ttheir\tLa\tLiga\trivalry\tkicked\toff, Messi\thas\tsupplied\t30\tper\tcent\tmore\tassists\tthan\tRonaldo,\tas\twell\tas\tcompleting more\tdribbles.\tIt\tremains\tto\tbe\tseen\tin\twhat\tways\tand\thow\tsuccessfully\tthey\twill evolve\twhen\ttheir\tlegs\tstart\tflagging.\tAnd\twhat\tshortcomings\tcould\tbe\texposed when\ttheir\tbodies\tslow\tdown.\tWill\tthey\tbe\tunable\tto\tcome\tto\tterms\twith\tthis change\tand\tadapt?\tWe\twill\treturn\tto\tthis\tlater. A\tquick\taside:\teven\tthe\ttelevision\tcommentators\tin\tPortugal\tsupport\tReal Madrid\tbecause\tof\tRonaldo.\tMessi\tis\tnot\texactly\thighly\tadmired\tthere;\the\twas even\tbooed\twhen\the\tfeatured\tin\tDeco\u2019s\ttestimonial\tin\tPorto. As\tyou\twould\texpect. Where\tdoes\tall\tthis\tleave\tPel\u00e9,\tMaradona\tand\tDi\tSt\u00e9fano? \u2018When\tpeople\twould\task\tme,\u2019\tAlfredo\tRela\u00f1o\texplained,\t\u2018I\u2019d\talways\tsay\tthat\tI\u2019d take\tPel\u00e9\tfor\ta\tfinal\tand\tDi\tSt\u00e9fano\tfor\ta\tchampionship,\tfor\ta\tleague\tcampaign. But\tRonaldo\tand\tMessi\tare\tgood\tfor\tboth.\u2019 The\told-timers\tat\tthe\tBernab\u00e9u\thave\tnot\tforgotten\tthat\tAlfredo\tDi\tSt\u00e9fano\twon five\tEuropean\tCups,\tbut\tmost\twould\tadmit\tthat\tRonaldo\tis\ta\tbetter\tplayer,\tor more\tcomplete.\tNevertheless,\tone\tbig\tdistinction\tmust\tbe\tdrawn\tbetween\tthem, as\tthe\tpoint\twas\trecently\tmade\tat\ta\tspecial\tevent\tfor\tReal\tMadrid\tfans\twho\thave been\tmembers\tfor\tmore\tthan\tthirty\tyears:\tDi\tSt\u00e9fano\twas\ta\tteam-builder. The\tclub\twanted\tto\tget\trid\tof\tPaco\tGento\tand\tthe\tArgentinian\ttold\tthem\tnot\tto because\tthe\tteam\tneeded\this\tspeed.\tThen\tthey\tsigned\tH\u00e9ctor\tRial,\ta\tplaymaker, based\ton\tthe\tfollowing\tthought\tprocess\tfrom\tDi\tSt\u00e9fano:\t\u2018If\tI\tpass\tthe\tball\tto Gento,\tI\twon\u2019t\tbe\table\tto\tfinish\tit\toff;\tif\twe\tsign\ta\tplaymaker,\tGento\tcan\tpass\tto him\tand\tI\u2019ll\thave\tenough\ttime\tto\tget\tin\tthere\tand\tscore.\u2019\tReal\tMadrid\talso brought\tin\tPach\u00edn\tfrom\tOsasuna\ton\tDi\tSt\u00e9fano\u2019s\tadvice.\tIn\tthe\tfirst\thalf\tof\ta game\tbetween\tthe\ttwo\tclubs,\tthe\tcentre-half\twas\ttasked\twith\tmarking\tGento,\tbut could\tnot\tget\tanywhere\tnear\thim.\tGento\twas\ta\trocket\tand\tso\tPach\u00edn\u2019s\tinability\tto contain\thim\twas\tno\treal\tmeasure\tof\this\town\tpace.\tIn\tthe\tsecond\thalf,\tthough,\the stuck\tto\tLa\tSaeta\tRubia,\twho\tfound\tit\tvery\tdifficult\tto\tshake\thim\toff.\tAfter\tthe final\twhistle,\tDi\tSt\u00e9fano\tasked\tthe\tdefender\twhat\this\tcontractual\tsituation\twas because\tReal\tMadrid\tplayed\ta\tvery\thigh\tline\tand\tso\tcould\tdo\twith\ta\tquick centre-back. This\tidea\tis\tbound\tto\tbe\trepeated\tin\tCristiano\u2019s\tadvancing\tyears:\the\tmay\tbe\ta","This\tidea\tis\tbound\tto\tbe\trepeated\tin\tCristiano\u2019s\tadvancing\tyears:\the\tmay\tbe\ta lethal\tgoalscorer,\tone\tof\tthe\tgreatest\tin\thistory,\tbut\tperhaps\the\tis\tnot\ton\ta\tpar with\tthe\tlikes\tof\tDi\tSt\u00e9fano\tin\tterms\tof\this\tunderstanding\tof\tthe\tgame. While\tRonaldo\twas\texpressing\this\tsadness\tin\tthe\tmixed\tzone\tat\tthe\tBernab\u00e9u after\tthe\t3\u20130\twin\tover\tGranada,\tinsisting\tthat\tthe\tclub\t(Florentino\tP\u00e9rez)\tknew exactly\twhat\twas\tbothering\thim,\tMourinho\twas\tgiving\ta\tpress\tconference criticising\tthe\tteam\u2019s\t\u2018lack\tof\tambition\tand\tintensity\u2019,\tdespite\tthe\tscoreline.\tHe was\talso\tunhappy\twith\thow\tthe\tplayers\twere\ttraining.\tHis\twords\tproved\ta harbinger\tof\twhat\twas\tto\tcome\tin\tthe\tremainder\tof\tthe\t2012\u201313\tseason. The\tstatistics\tshow\tthat\tRonaldo\u2019s\tgoalscoring\tform\twent\tup\ta\tnotch\twith\tJos\u00e9 Mourinho\tin\tthe\tdugout;\the\tchalked\tup\tfifty-three\tgoals\tin\t2010\u201311\tand\tsixty\tthe following\tcampaign.\tHowever,\tin\ttruth\tthe\tPortuguese\tduo\u2019s\thoneymoon\tperiod lasted\tjust\ta\tfew\tmonths.\tThe\tcoach\thad\trelieved\tthe\tstar\tof\this\tdefensive\tduties, but\tthey\tdid\tnot\thave\tthe\tfather\u2013son\trelationship\tthat\tmany\timagined.\tIn\tfact, Ronaldo\twas\tthe\tfirst\tplayer\tto\trebel\tagainst\tMourinho\tduring\tthat\ttense Champions\tLeague\tfirst\tleg\tagainst\tBarcelona. Now\tRonaldo\twas\ton\tedge,\tas\the\ttold\treporters\tin\tthe\tmixed\tzone\tthat\tnight\tin September\t2012. And\the\thad\this\tfair\tshare\tof\treasons.","SEVEN REAL\tMADRID A\tROLLERCOASTER I\treceived\tan\temail\tfrom\tTor-Kristian\tKarlsen\tof\tAS\tMonaco\tabout\tthat\tdinner with\tJorge\tMendes\tmentioned\tearlier.\tThe\tagent\tis\ta\tgood\tfriend\tof\tthe Monegasque\toutfit,\twhich\thas\ttaken\ton\tmany\tof\this\tclients\tin\trecent\tyears: Ricardo\tCarvalho,\tJames\tRodr\u00edguez\tand\tFalcao,\tto\tname\tbut\ta\tfew.\tThe\tMonaco vice-president\tVadim\tVasilyev\trecently\tadmitted\tthat\tthey\talso\tsounded\tout Cristiano.\tThis\twas\tone\tof\tthe\tfirst\tattempts: \u2018As\the\t[Ronaldo]\tpopped\tby\tto\tmeet\tJorge\tMendes\tafter\tthe\tgame\t[Real\tMadrid v.\tEspanyol,\t16\tDecember\t2012]\tin\ta\trestaurant\tnear\tthe\tSantiago\tBernab\u00e9u,\the ended\tup\tstaying\tfor\tdinner.\tHe\twas\tvery\tpleasant\tand\tgood\tcompany.\tUpon learning\tmy\tnationality\the\tinstantly\tasked\tif\tI\tknew\tOle\tGunnar\t\u2013\tand\tgreeted me\t\u201cgood\tevening\u201d\t[\u201cgod\tkveld\u201d]\tin\tNorwegian,\twhich\tI\tfound\ta\tvery\tclassy\tand highly\tunexpected\ttouch.\tThough\the\thad\tscored\ta\tbrilliant\tgoal,\the\twas genuinely\tannoyed\tand\tagitated\tby\tEspanyol\u2019s\tlate\tequaliser,\tit\treally\tplayed\ton his\tmind.\tSuch\twas\this\tfrustration\tthat\the\teven\tapologised\ton\tbehalf\tof\tthe\tteam \u2013\tI\tthought\tthat\twas\tvery\timpressive.\tAs\tI\tleft\tthe\trestaurant\tI\tjokingly\tsaid\tto Cristiano,\t\u201cWhy\tdon\u2019t\tyou\tjoin\tus\tat\tMonaco?\u201d\tI\tcan\u2019t\tquite\tremember\twhat\the answered\t\u2013\tI\tbelieve\the\tpaid\tsome\tcompliments\tabout\tthe\tbeauty\tof\tthe Principality\t\u2013\tbut\this\texpression\twas\tone\tof\tamusement.\u2019 This\toffers\ta\tnice\tlittle\twindow\ton\thow\the\tacts\tin\tfront\tof\tan\tinfluential\tman\tbut in\tprivate\tand\twithout\ta\tbig\taudience. And\tjust\tafter\ta\tdisappointment. Jos\u00e9\tMourinho\tdecided\tto\tclean\tup\this\tsquad\tfor\tthe\t2012\u201313\tseason\tby\tcutting out\tsome\tof\tthe\t\u2018dead\twood\u2019\t(Nuri\tSahin,\tLassana\tDiarra,\tPedro\tLe\u00f3n,\tHamit Altintop,\tFernando\tGago\tand\tDani\tCarvajal).\tThe\tsummer\ttransfer\tsaga\tinvolved the\tsigning\tof\tLuka\tModri\u0107\tfor\t\u20ac30\tmillion\tplus\tan\textra\t\u20ac5\tmillion\tin\tadd-ons. The\tteam\tlost\tground\ton\tTito\tVilanova\u2019s\tBarcelona,\thowever,\twith\tinternal battles\tcoming\tto\tthe\tfore\tand\tsome\tkey\talliances\tshattered. In\tfact,\tvery\tearly\tin\tthe\tseason,\tthe\tfoundations\tof\tthe\tReal\tMadrid\tfirst\tteam","In\tfact,\tvery\tearly\tin\tthe\tseason,\tthe\tfoundations\tof\tthe\tReal\tMadrid\tfirst\tteam had\tbeen\tshaken\tto\tthe\tcore\tover\tfour\tcataclysmic\tdays. On\t30\tAugust\t2012,\tSpanish\tfootball\treceived\ta\ttribute\tin\tthe\tshape\tof\tAndr\u00e9s Iniesta\u2019s\t2011\u201312\tUEFA\tBest\tPlayer\tin\tEurope\tAward,\tahead\tof\tMessi\tand Cristiano.\tThe\tSpanish\tmidfielder\tlanded\tin\tMonte\tCarlo,\tsupported\tby Barcelona\tpresident\tSandro\tRosell\tand\tdirector\tof\tfootball\tAndoni\tZubizarreta. Real\tMadrid\thad\tsent\tthird\tvice-president\tPedro\tL\u00f3pez\tand\tEmilio\tButrague\u00f1o, the\tdirector\tof\tthe\tclub\u2019s\tinstitutional\trelations. The\tclub\u2019s\tweak\t(or\tinferior)\trepresentation\tenraged\tRonaldo. In\tthe\tPortuguese\u2019s\teyes,\tit\twas\tfurther\tproof\tof\tFlorentino\u2019s\tlimited\tappreciation of\thim\tand\thow\tthe\tclub\tundervalued\this\tcontribution.\tWhy\thad\tthe\tpresident decided\tto\tignore\tprotocol\tand\tattend\ta\tmeeting\tof\this\tcompany\tACS\tinstead? Nothing\tcould\tmake\tCristiano\tsee\tsense.\tHe\tblew\ta\tfuse. According\tto\tthe\tSpanish\tpress,\tCristiano\tRonaldo\twanted\tto\tleave\tReal\tMadrid. With\tCristiano,\tit\tnever\trains\tbut\tit\tpours.\tUnlike\tat\tManchester\tUnited\twhere his\tcontract\twas\tnever\ta\tmajor\tissue,\texcept\tfor\this\tfirst\trenewal,\tat\tReal\tMadrid there\tseemed\tto\tbe\tno\tcompelling\tdesire\tto\timprove\this\tdeal\tdespite\this goalscoring\trecord\t(more\tthan\tone\ta\tgame)\tand\timportance\tto\tthe\tclub. He\thad\ttwo\tyears\tremaining\ton\this\tcontract\tand\tReal\tMadrid\thad\tto\tdecide\tif\tit was\ttime\tto\tbegin\tthe\tglobal\thunt\tfor\ta\tnew\tCristiano,\tor\tif,\tfor\tanother\tsix\tor seven\tyears,\tthe\tPortuguese\thad\tenough\tvalue\tto\thelp\tkeep\tor\timprove commercial\tdeals\twith\tAdidas\tand\tother\tmultinationals,\tand\tbring\tincome\tvia television\trights. On\t1\tSeptember,\ttwo\tdays\tafter\tthe\tUEFA\tawards,\ta\tReal\tMadrid\tTV\tcamera recorded\ta\tseemingly\tinnocent\tclip\tin\tthe\tcorridors\tof\tpower.\tIt\twas\ta\thug between\tMichael\tEssien,\twho\twas\tpenning\ta\tone-year\tloan\tdeal\twith\tLos Blancos\tand\twas\tdue\tto\tbe\tunveiled\tthat\tday,\tand\ta\tvery\tserious\tRonaldo\twho was\theading\tto\tthe\tpresident\u2019s\toffice. Florentino\twas\tat\tthe\tBernab\u00e9u\tfor\tthe\tGhanaian\u2019s\tpresentation\tand\thad\tnot planned\tto\tsee\tRonaldo.\tWhen\the\twas\ttold\tthat\tthe\tplayer\thad\tsomething\tto\tsay to\thim,\the\tasked\thim\tto\tvisit\this\toffice.","This\tis\thow\tthe\tconversation\twent,\taccording\tto\ta\tMarca\tarticle\tpublished\tsix days\tlater\ton\t7\tDecember\t2012: - Mr\tPresident,\tI\thave\tto\ttell\tyou\tsomething.\tI\u2019m\tnot\thappy\there\tand\tI\twant\tto leave. - If\tyou\twant\tto\tgo,\tbring\tme\tenough\tmoney\tto\tsign\tMessi. - If\tit\u2019s\ta\tmatter\tof\tmoney,\ttomorrow\tI\u2019ll\tcome\tback\twith\t\u20ac100\tmillion. - It\u2019s\tnot\ta\thundred,\tyour\trelease\tclause\tis\tone\tbillion.34 Jorge\tMendes\thad\ttold\this\tclient\tthat\tthere\twere\tinterested\tparties\twho\tcould stump\tup\t\u20ac100\tmillion\tfor\this\tsignature,\tanother\tpotential\tworld\trecord:\tPSG, Manchester\tCity\tand\tManchester\tUnited. Ronaldo\thad\tmore\tto\tsay.\tHe\tasked\tthe\tclub\tto\tsee\tthrough\tsome\tsupposed verbal\tagreements\tabout\timage\trights\tand\tthe\todd\tcontractual\tmatter,\tbut\tthe president\tseemed\tdistant. The\tplayer\tdid\tnot\tfeel\tthe\tclub\twas\tbeing\tcontemptuous\tbut,\trather,\tand\tperhaps more\tpainful,\tindifferent.\tFlorentino\tP\u00e9rez\ttold\tMario\tTorrej\u00f3n\tas\tmuch\tin\tthe latter\u2019s\tbiography\ton\tRonaldo:\t\u2018He\tknew\the\tcouldn\u2019t\tleave,\tthe\ttransfer\twindow had\talready\tclosed.\tIt\twas\timpossible.\u201913 That\twas\ttrue,\tbut\tthat\tis\twhere\tthe\trelationship\tbetween\tthe\tpresident\tand\tthe club\u2019s\ttalisman\tbroke\tdown. The\tvery\tsame\tsource\twho\ttold\ta\thandful\tof\tjournalists\tabout\tthe\texchange,\tthen swiftly\tretracted\tit,\thaving\trealised\tthat\tit\twas\ttoo\tharsh\ton\tCristiano:\t\u2018No,\tno, that\twasn\u2019t\tthe\tsentence\t[about\tMessi],\tit\twas\tmore\tlike,\t\u201cWell,\tbring\tme\ta billion\teuros\tand\tit\u2019s\tdone.\u201d\u2019\tHowever,\tthe\tPortuguese\u2019s\tcamp\tconfirmed\tthat Leo\twas\tmentioned\twhich\thurt\tRonaldo\tmore\tthan\tanything\telse.","Radio\tprogramme\tEl\tLarguero\trevealed\tsome\tdetails\tof\tthe\tconversation\ton\tthe very\tnight\tof\tthe\tdisagreement.\tAccording\tto\ttheir\tsources,\tRonaldo\ttold\tthe president\tthat\tthings\twere\tnot\tgoing\twell\tin\tthe\tdressing\troom,\tcontradicting what\the\thad\ttold\tthe\tcaptains:\the\tdid\tnot\tfeel\tsupported\tby\tthe\tsquad,\the\twas alone.\tThe\tPortuguese\thad\tjust\thad\tan\targument\twith\tone\tof\this\tbest\tfriends, Marcelo,\tafter\thearing\thim\ttout\tCasillas\tfor\tthe\tBallon\td\u2019Or.\tThe\tmatter\twas\tput to\tbed\ta\tfew\tweeks\tlater,\tbut\tit\treinforced\tthe\tfeeling\tof\tunhappiness\tthat\thad beleaguered\thim\tin\tthe\tprevious\tcampaign. According\tto\twhat\tJos\u00e9\t\u00c1ngel\tS\u00e1nchez\ttold\tMario\tTorrej\u00f3n,\tit\twas\t\u2018an\tepisode of\tmutual\tlack\tof\tunderstanding.\tPlayers\tand\tclubs\thave\tups\tand\tdowns.\tI\tthink he\twanted\tto\ttell\tus\tthat\the\twasn\u2019t\tright\temotionally.\u2019 Real\tMadrid\tplayed\tGranada\tat\thome\ton\tthe\tfollowing\tday,\t2\tSeptember. Ronaldo\tdid\tnot\tcelebrate\teither\tof\this\ttwo\tgoals\tand\tdropped\ta\tbombshell\tin\tthe mixed\tzone. \u2018I\u2019m\tsad\tand\tthey\tknow\twhy\tinside\tthe\tclub.\u2019 According\tto\tmy\tsources,\tthe\tfunny\tthing\twas,\tCristiano\tdid\tnot\tmean\tto\tsay \u2018sad\u2019. The\tword\tjust\tpopped\tout\tunbidden.\tHe\thad\twanted\tto\tutter\ta\tdifferent\tone\tand toe\tthe\tparty\tline\tfor\tthe\tteam:\twhat\the\treally\tmeant\twas\t\u2018disappointed\u2019. In\tany\tcase,\ta\twar\tthat\twould\tlast\tan\tentire\tyear\twas\tbeginning. Mourinho\tdid\tnot\tshare\tor\twant\tto\tunderstand\tRonaldo\u2019s\t\u2018sadness\u2019.\tHe considered\tit\tan\tuntimely,\tinappropriate\tremark.\tJournalist\tDiego\tTorres\ttold how,\tfollowing\tthat\tRonaldo\tstatement,\tthe\tcoaching\tstaff\ttook\tto\treferring\tto him\tas\t\u2018Tristano\u2019\t(a\tSpanish\tamalgamation\tof\ttriste,\tmeaning\tsad,\tand Cristiano). The\tclub\tcaptains,\twho\thad\tbeen\tmarching\tto\tthe\tbeat\tof\ttheir\town\tdrums\tjust\ta few\tmonths\tearlier,\ttried\tto\tclose\tranks\tto\trally\tround\ttheir\tteam-mate.\t\u2018When\the said\tthat,\twe\twere\tworried,\u2019\tadmitted\tXabi\tAlonso.\t\u2018We\tspoke\tto\thim:\t\u201cListen, Cris,\twe\twant\tto\tdo\teverything\twe\tcan\tso\tthat\tyou\u2019re\thappy,\tyou\u2019re\ta\tvery important\tplayer\tfor\tus.\u201d\u2019\tCasillas\tand\tRamos\thad\ta\tmeeting\twith\tthe\tMadeiran who\ttold\tthem\tit\twas\tnot\ta\tdressing-room\tproblem\tand\tit\twas\tnot\teven\tlinked\tto Mourinho,\tfrom\twhom\the\thad\tdistanced\thimself.","Mourinho,\tfrom\twhom\the\thad\tdistanced\thimself. The\tmain\tsource\tof\this\tirritation\twas\tFlorentino\tP\u00e9rez. Such\thigh-profile\tconfrontations\t(between\tthe\tideologist\tand\tthe\tmain\tstar)\tare rarely\tkept\tout\tof\tthe\tspotlight\tfor\tvery\tlong.\tThe\tpress,\tallegedly\tthe\tcause\tof\tso much\tupheaval\tfor\tfootballers,\tcomes\tin\tuseful\twhen\tit\tis\ttime\tto\treveal\twhy someone\t(or\ta\tfriend\tof\ta\tbrother\u2019s\tbrother)\tis\tsad.\tOr\twhy\the\tshould\tnot\tbe. Knowing\tthat\tthe\tbattle\twas\tabout\tto\tbecome\ta\tmedia\tfree-for-all,\tthe\tclub\tdid not\twaste\tany\ttime\tin\ttaking\taction.\tNot\tonly\tdid\tthey\ttry\tto\texplain\ttheir\tversion of\tevents\toff\tthe\trecord,\tbut\talso\tlet\tslip\tthe\tname\tof\ta\tpossible\treplacement\tfor the\tPortuguese:\tNeymar,\twith\twhom\tnegotiations\twere\tunder\tway. Ronaldo\tbelieved\tthat\the\thad\tput\tthe\tball\tin\tReal\tMadrid\u2019s\tcourt\twith\this statements\tafter\tthe\tGranada\tmatch.\tIt\twas\tnot\tmerely\ta\tploy\tto\tnegotiate\ta\tnew contract.\tHis\tthreat\tto\tjump\tship\twas\treal,\tdespite\this\tnearest\tand\tdearest insisting\tthat,\tat\tthe\tage\tof\ttwenty-six,\tit\tcould\tnot\tget\tany\tbetter\tthan\tbeing\tat one\tof\tthe\tbiggest\tclubs\tin\tthe\tworld.\tThey\ttold\thim\the\tcould\tgo\tto\ta\tdifferent one,\tbut\the\twould\tnot\tbe\tas\thappy,\tnor\twould\the\twin\tas\tmuch. Meanwhile,\tReal\tMadrid,\tafter\tan\tintense\tbut\tfar\tfrom\textensive\tinternal\tdebate, had\tdecided\tthat\the\twas\tworth\tkeeping,\tespecially\tbearing\tin\tmind\tBarcelona had\twell\tand\ttruly\ttied\tNeymar\tdown\t(well,\tthey\thad\tdefinitely\ttied\thim\tdown, but\thow\twell\tis\tup\tfor\tdebate,\tconsidering\tthe\tsuspicious\tcontracts\tthat\tlater emerged).\tIncidentally,\twe\thad\texclusively\treported\ton\tthe\tNeymar\tdeal\ton\tSky Sports\u2019\tweekly\tSpanish\tfootball\tround-up\tprogramme\tRevista\tde\tla\tLiga\ta\tyear earlier. A\tpossibility\tentered\tthe\tdiscussions.\tPerhaps,\tit\twas\theard\tsaid\tin\tthe\tRonaldo camp,\tit\twould\tbe\ta\tgood\tidea\tto\tlet\tthe\tcontract\trun\tuntil\tits\tend\tin\t2015\twhen the\tplayer\twould\tbe\tthirty. Mendes\tand\tRonaldo\tdecided\tthat\twould\tbe\tthe\tstrategy\tfrom\tSeptember\t2012 onwards:\tto\twait.\tThe\tagent\thad\tspent\tmonths\tdemanding\ta\trenewal\tand\twould have\taccepted\ta\tsalary\tof\t\u20ac10\tmillion\tnet,\tbut\the\tsuddenly\tstarted\trejecting\tall proposals\tat\tthe\tboardroom\ttable. Surprise\tand\timpatience\tat\tthe\tstar\u2019s\treaction\twere\tengulfing\tthe\tupper\techelons","of\tthe\tBernab\u00e9u. Meanwhile,\ta\tmore\trelaxed\tCristiano\twas\ttrying\tto\tavoid\tthe\tpresident.\tBoth men\twere\tinvited\tto\ta\tsmall\tVIP\troom\twhich\twould\tlead\tthem\tto\tthe\tstage\tfor\ta Marca\tawards\tceremony.\tOn\tlearning\tFlorentino\thad\talready\tarrived,\tthe Portuguese\tasked\this\tguide,\ta\trepresentative\tof\tthe\tnewspaper,\tif\tthey\tcould\tstay outside.\t\u2018Cristiano,\twe\u2019re\tat\ta\tpublic\tevent,\tgo\tinside,\tthis\tis\tnonsense,\u2019\the\twas told.\tBut\the\twould\tnot\tbudge.\tHe\twas\teventually\ttold\tthat\tthe\tpresident\tof\tthe Portuguese\tfootball\tassociation\twas\talso\tpresent\tand\tdecided\tto\tgo\tin,\tbut\tonly\tto converse\twith\this\tcountryman. It\tseemed\the\thad\tno\tintention\tof\tappeasing\tanyone,\tno\tmatter\thow\tpublic\tthe occasion. During\tthat\tinconsistent\tcampaign\tfor\tLos\tBlancos,\tBarcelona\twere\ttrying\tto find\ta\tnew\thymn\tsheet,\tnew\tstyles\tof\tattacking\tfootball\tand\trenewed\tmotivation under\tTito\tVilanova\u2019s\tstewardship,\tfollowing\tPep\tGuardiola\u2019s\tdeparture. In\tthe\tReal\tMadrid\tdressing\troom,\tMourinho\tand\tRonaldo,\ttwo\tmen\tincapable\tof sharing\tthe\tlimelight,\thad\tbeen\tapproaching\tthe\tpoint\tof\tno\treturn\tafter\ttheir conflict\tduring\tthe\tChampions\tLeague\tsemi-final\tthe\tprevious\tseason\twhen Cristiano\tpublicly\tand\tprivately\tcriticised\this\tcoach\u2019s\tdecisions. Both\twere\tjostling\tfor\tposition\tin\tthe\tclub\tas\twell\tas\tin\tPortugal.\t\u2018They\u2019re\tboth winners,\u2019\texplained\tJo\u00e3o\tNuno\tCoelho.\t\u2018But\tRonaldo\tenjoys\tfar\tgreater popularity\tin\tPortugal.\tNow\the\u2019s\tthe\tnational\tteam\u2019s\ttalisman,\tMourinho\tis much\tfurther\tbehind\tin\tterms\tof\tpublic\tappreciation.\u201924 Mourinho\tuses\this\tauthority\tto\tmould\tconsciences\tand\tcreate\ta\tstate\tof\ttension and\tdivision\t\u2013\twithin\tthe\tclub\tand\tbeyond\t\u2013\twhich\tcan\tonly\tlast\tso\tlong.\tHe attracted\ta\tgroup\tof\tfervent\tsupporters\twho\tblindly\taccepted\this\tleadership\t(the reasons\tfor\tthis\tare\tworthy\tof\tanother\tbook)\tand\tmanaged\tto\tmake\tthe\tstar neither\tFlorentino\tnor\tCristiano,\tbut\thimself. And\tRonaldo\tdoes\tnot\tlike\tobeying\tanyone. Mourinho\tloves\tto\tprovoke\t(\u2018And\tyou\tsay\the\u2019s\tyour\tfriend?\tLook\tat\tall\this theatrics,\u2019\the\ttold\tPepe,\taccording\tto\tone\tof\tmy\tsources,\ttrying\tto\tget\ta\treaction), which\tRonaldo\tfalls\tfor\tvery\teasily.\tHe\tdoes\tnot\tsee\tit\tas\tmotivational\twhen\tit","which\tRonaldo\tfalls\tfor\tvery\teasily.\tHe\tdoes\tnot\tsee\tit\tas\tmotivational\twhen\tit comes\tfrom\tsomeone\twhom\the\texpects\tto\tshow\thim\taffection. The\tplayers\tlike\thow\tMourinho\ttries\tto\tprotect\tthem\tfrom\tthe\tmedia,\tbut\tare\tnot so\tfond\tof\thow\the\tlooks\tfor\tguilty\tparties\tin\this\tpress\tconferences\twhile\trarely accepting\tthat\tthe\tblame\tsometimes\tlies\twith\thim. The\tcoach\tseeks\tout\tsoldiers\tthat\tcan\tblindly\tcarry\tout\this\torders,\tbut\tthe\tReal Madrid\tdressing\troom\twas\tfilled\twith\tWorld\tCup\twinners\tand\tone\tof\tthe\tbest players\tin\tthe\thistory\tof\tthe\tgame.\tThey\tall\tdemanded\tsomeone\twho\twould attempt\tto\twin\tthem\tover\trather\tthan\tan\toverbearing,\tabsolute\truler,\twhich\tis how\tsome\tof\tthe\tkey\tplayers\tstarted\tto\tview\ttheir\tboss. Ronaldo\thad\ta\tfurther\tthought\ton\this\tfellow\tcountryman\u2019s\tleadership\ttechnique that\the\tkept\tfor\this\tcircle.\tHe\tbelieved\tthat\tturning\tthe\tbest\tBarcelona\tside\tin history\tinto\tpublic\tenemy\tnumber\tone\twas\tnecessary,\tbut\tshould\thave\tbeen\tdone on\tthe\tfield.\tFierce\trivalries\tcan\tspur\ton\ta\tteam\u2019s\tdevelopment.\tThe\thatred between\tthe\ttwo\tthat\twas\tgenerated\tfrom\tthe\tdugout\twas\ta\tmistake.\tRonaldo wanted\tto\tstart\tseparating\tcompetitions\tfrom\tfeelings\tthat\tdid\tnot\tbelong\tin\tthe sporting\tarena. What\talso\tseparated\tthem\tdeep\tdown\twas\ta\tfootballing\tmatter:\tthey\thave\ta different\tunderstanding\tof\tthe\tbeautiful\tgame. The\tgroup\tstage\tclashes\tagainst\tBorussia\tDortmund\tprovided\ttelling\tevidence\tof the\twidening\tseparation\tbetween\tthe\tfootballing\tvision\tchampioned\tby\tthe\tcoach and\tthe\tsquad\u2019s\theavyweights,\tincluding\tRonaldo.\tThe\tGerman\toutfit\twanted\tto go\tblow-for-blow,\twhile\tLos\tBlancos,\twho\tdid\tnot\tfeel\tinferior\tto\ttheir opponents,\tfelt\tfrustrated\tby\tMourinho\u2019s\tconservative\tapproach. Real\tMadrid\tprogressed\tto\tthe\tknockout\tstages,\tbut\twere\tstill\tlagging\tbehind Barcelona\tin\tLa\tLiga. The\ttension\twas\treaching\tbreaking\tpoint\tin\tthe\tReal\tdressing\troom.\tThey\tfaced Valencia\tin\tthe\tCopa\tdel\tRey\tquarter-finals\tin\tJanuary\t2013\tand,\tin\tthe\tlast stages\tof\tthe\tfirst\tleg,\tMourinho\u2019s\tside\twere\twinning\t2\u20130. With\tten\tminutes\tremaining,\tthe\tcoach,\tgesturing\temphatically,\tvery\tpointedly told\tRonaldo\tto\ttrack\tback.\tHe\talso\treprimanded\thim\tfor\thurriedly\ttaking\ta throw-in\tthat\t\u00d6zil\twas\tunable\tto\tcontrol,\tallowing\tValencia\tto\tbreak\ton\tthe","throw-in\tthat\t\u00d6zil\twas\tunable\tto\tcontrol,\tallowing\tValencia\tto\tbreak\ton\tthe counter\tand\tprovide\tthe\tfinal\tfright\tof\tthe\tmatch. What\tfollows\tis\tthe\tversion\tof\tsomeone\twho\twas\tthere,\tsomeone\twho\tprefers\tto remain\tanonymous\tbut\tstill\tfeels\tsurprised\tabout\tthe\tturn\tof\tevents. Mourinho,\twhose\tblood\twas\tno\tlonger\tboiling\tby\tthe\ttime\the\treached\tthe dressing\troom,\treminded\tCristiano\tof\tthe\treason\tfor\tthe\tinstruction\ton\tthe\tpitch: \u2018.\t.\t.\tif\tthey\tget\ta\tgoal\tagainst\tus\t.\t.\t.\u2019\tAnd\tthe\tplayer,\twho\twas\tunable\tto\tcontain his\tfury,\tgot\tup\tfrom\tthe\tbench\twhere\the\twas\tchanging\tand\tbegan\tshouting, \u2018After\teverything\tI\u2019ve\tdone\tfor\tyou,\tthis\tis\thow\tyou\ttreat\tme!\tHow\tdare\tyou\tsay that\tto\tme?!\u2019 The\tdressing\troom\tturned\tdeadly\tsilent. Mourinho\ttried\tto\tremain\tcalm.\t\u2018I\twas\tsaying\tit\tfor\tthe\tteam,\tbecause\tthe\tteam needed\tyou\tto\ttrack\tback.\u2019\tAs\the\tcould\tsee\tCristiano\thad\tno\tintention\tof\tcalming down,\the\tgradually\tretreated.\tSoon\tafter,\the\tapproached\tthe\tforward\tagain\tto resume\tthe\tconversation\twith\tless\ttension.\tBut\tRonaldo\tfired\tback\tangrily. Mourinho\twas\tunable\tto\tcontain\thimself\tany\tlonger.\t\u2018Just\tso\tyou\tknow,\u2019\the shouted\tfor\teverybody\tto\thear,\t\u2018many\tthink\tlike\tme\there,\tbut\tdon\u2019t\tdare\tsay\tit, they\tdon\u2019t\thave\tthe\tballs\tto\ttell\tyou.\u2019 Many\tof\tthe\tplayers\twho\twitnessed\tthe\tscene\thad\tdemanded\ton\tseveral occasions\tthat\tMourinho,\teither\tdirectly\tor\tthrough\tthe\tcoaching\tstaff,\task Ronaldo\tto\tdefend\tmore. The\tsituation\tescalated\tto\tthe\tpoint\twhere\tCristiano\thad\tto\tbe\theld\tback\t(some sources\tsay\tby\tCasillas,\tothers\tsay\tby\tArbeloa\tand\tKhedira,\tor\teven\tSergio Ramos)\tto\tprevent\tthe\tpair\tfrom\tcoming\tto\tblows. Ronaldo\ttook\twhat\tshould\thave\tbeen\tunderstood\tas\ta\ttactical\tcomment\tas\ta personal\tattack. The\trelationship\tbetween\tMourinho\tand\tRonaldo\twould\tnever\tbe\tthe\tsame\tagain after\tthat\tnight\tin\tthe\tSpanish\tcapital. Jorge\tMendes\thad\tto\tchoose\tbetween\tthe\tfrying\tpan\tand\tthe\tfire.\tDespite Mourinho\ttelling\thim\tthat\the\twas\toverly\tspoiling\tthe\tplayer,\tthe\tagent\tremained in\tcharge\tof\tCristiano\u2019s\taffairs,\talways\ttaking\this\tside.\tHe\tdid\tso\twhen\tthe","in\tcharge\tof\tCristiano\u2019s\taffairs,\talways\ttaking\this\tside.\tHe\tdid\tso\twhen\tthe Madeiran\twas\tnot\tincluded\tagainst\tZaragoza\tand\tonce\tagain\tafter\tthe\tlatest scuffle. As\tthe\tmonths\twent\tby,\teven\tMourinho\u2019s\tassistants\tnoted\tthat\tthe\tsituation\twas beyond\trepair;\tthey\thad\tfelt\tfor\ta\twhile\tthat\tthe\tplayer\tsaw\tthem\tmerely\tas workers\tunder\tthe\t\u2018enemy\u2019\tcoach\twho\tdeserved\tno\tloyalty\tas\tthe\tdistance between\tthem\tgrew. But\tevery\tcloud\thas\ta\tsilver\tlining.\tSergio\tRamos\u2019s\tdefence\tagainst\ta\tcommon enemy\t(the\tSpanish\tcentre-back\tdid\tnot\tshare\tmany\tof\tMourinho\u2019s\ttactical ideas)\tbrought\tthem\ttogether\tagain. Soon\tafter\tthe\tValencia\tclash,\tReal\tMadrid\tmet\tManchester\tUnited\tin\tthe Champions\tLeague\tround\tof\tsixteen.\tAfter\tthe\t1\u20131\tdraw\tin\tthe\tfirst\tleg\tat\tthe Bernab\u00e9u,\tRonaldo\twent\tinto\tUnited\u2019s\tdressing\troom. Ian\tBuckingham\t(kitman):\t\u2018The\tfirst\tleg\twas\tover\tand\tthe\tfirst\tthing\the\tdid\twas ask\tfor\tSir\tAlex\tand\tcome\tstraight\tinto\tour\tchanging\troom.\tThat\u2019s\teven\tbefore we\u2019ve\tdone\ta\tteam\ttalk\tor\tanything.\tHe\tsat\tthere\tfor\ta\tgood\thalf-hour\tchatting\tto everyone.\tHe\u2019d\tmissed\tthem.\u2019 At\tthe\tend\tof\tthe\treturn\tleg\tat\tOld\tTrafford\t(that\tReal\tMadrid\twon\t2\u20131\twith\ta Ronaldo\tgoal\tthat\the\trefused\tto\tcelebrate\tas\tthe\tteam\tprogressed\tsafely\tto\tthe quarter-finals),\tthe\tscene\twas\trepeated.\tFerguson\twas\twatching\ta\treplay\tof Nani\u2019s\tcontroversial\tsending-off\tfor\ta\ttackle\ton\tArbeloa.\tRonaldo\tthought,\tas did\tmost\tof\this\tteam-mates,\tthat\tit\twas\tan\tabsurd\tdecision. Sir\tAlex\tsaid\tto\thim\tafter\ta\thug:\t\u2018If\tyou\u2019d\tcelebrated\tthe\tgoal,\tI\u2019d\thave\tthrottled you!\u2019 Mourinho\tlooked\tfor\tconflicts\tgreat\tand\tsmall,\tand\this\tplayers\tsaw\tit\tas\ta\tmeans of\tmoving\ttowards\this\tinevitable\texit\tthat\twould\tsee\thim\treignite\this\tlove\taffair with\tChelsea.\tHe\tknew\tthat\the\thad\tlost\tthe\tdressing\troom\tand\tclashed\twith\tIker Casillas,\tSergio\tRamos,\tCristiano,\tPepe\tand\teven\tDi\tMar\u00eda. With\tLa\tLiga\tout\tof\tthe\tquestion,\tthe\tcoach\treasoned\tthat\tthe\tclub\twas\t\u2018sad\u2019\tas\ta whole\tat\tthe\tstart\tof\tthe\tcampaign\twhich\tled\tto\t\u2018dropped\tpoints\u2019,\tconveniently forgetting\tthat\tRonaldo\tnetted\ta\tbrace\ton\tthe\tday\tof\this\tfamous\tdeclaration.","forgetting\tthat\tRonaldo\tnetted\ta\tbrace\ton\tthe\tday\tof\this\tfamous\tdeclaration. In\treality,\tthough,\this\tanalysis\twas\tspot\ton:\tthe\tteam\thad\tmade\ta\tjittery\tstart\tto the\tseason\tand\twas\tunable\tto\trecover.\tThe\tcoach\tkept\trubbing\tsalt\tin\tthe\twound, however,\tby\tmentioning\t\u2018losing\ta\tChampions\tLeague\tsemi-final\ton\tpenalties, when\tyour\tbest\tpenalty\ttaker,\twho\tyou\thave\tcomplete\tfaith\tin\tto\tscore\tthe\tfirst one,\tmisses\t.\t.\t.\tThat\tfrustration\tnever\tdisappears.\u2019\tA\tyear\thad\tpassed\tsince Ronaldo\u2019s\tmiss\tagainst\tNeuer. \u2018Foda-se!\u2019\t(Fuck\tyou!)\tCristiano\tseemed\tto\tshout\tas\the\tangrily\tpointed\tat\this badge\tand\tthen\tat\tthe\tground\tafter\tscoring\this\t200th\tgoal\tfor\tLos\tBlancos\tagainst M\u00e1laga.\tThere\twas\tno\tdoubt\twho\tit\twas\taimed\tat. \u2018It\twas\ta\ttype\tof\tfight\tbetween\talpha\tmales,\u2019\tanalysed\tAlfredo\tRela\u00f1o.\t\u2018It\tended as\tthey\tall\tdo:\twith\tthe\tcoach\tleaving.\tNo\tmatter\thow\tgood\the\tis,\the\tcan\u2019t\tget you\tfifty\tgoals\ta\tseason.\u2019 Real\tMadrid\twere\tknocked\tout\tof\tthe\t2013\tChampions\tLeague\tsemi-finals\tby\ta boisterous\tBorussia\tDortmund\tside.\tRonaldo\twas\tcarrying\tan\tinjury\tin\tthe second\tleg. Los\tBlancos\talso\tlost\tthe\tCopa\tdel\tRey\tfinal\tagainst\tAtl\u00e9tico\tde\tMadrid\t(2\u20131). Ronaldo\tscored\tand\thit\tthe\tpost,\tbut\twas\ta\tperipheral\tfigure\tduring\textra-time and\twhen\tSimeone\u2019s\tside\twere\tahead\twith\tfour\tminutes\tleft\ton\tthe\tclock,\the\twas given\this\tmarching\torders\tfor\tkicking\tGabi\tin\tthe\tface\tafter\ta\tlate\ttackle. Mourinho\tstated\tin\tthe\tpost-match\tpress\tconference\tthat\the\thad\t\u2018failed\tthis season,\tthe\tworst\tof\tmy\tcareer\u2019. Tito\tVilanova\u2019s\tBarcelona\twon\tLa\tLiga\tat\ta\tcanter,\tleaving\ttheir\tarch-rivals eleven\tpoints\tbehind. Despite\tbeing\tdown\tat\tthe\tstart\tof\tthe\tseason\tand\ttension\twith\tthe\tcoaching\tstaff, Ronaldo\tscored\tfifty-five\tgoals\tin\tthe\tsame\tnumber\tof\tgames. Mourinho\thad\tknown\tfor\tsome\ttime\tthat\the\thad\treached\tthe\tend\tof\tthe\troad\tat Real\tMadrid.\tMeanwhile,\tgiven\this\tmanager\u2019s\tstubbornness\tand\tlack\tof dressing-room\tsupport,\tFlorentino\trealised\tthat\ta\tchange\tof\tdirection\twas\tthe only\tsolution.","Since\tthen,\tthe\tsoundtrack\tto\tthe\tMourinho\tv.\tCristiano\trelationship\thas\tbeen: Ronaldo:\t\u2018Out\tof\tall\tmy\tcoaches,\tthe\tonly\tone\tI\u2019ve\thad\ta\tfriendship\twith\tis\tAlex Ferguson,\tnobody\telse.\u2019\t(TVI\tof\tPortugal,\tAugust\t2014) Mourinho:\t\u2018I\tjust\thad\tone\tproblem\twith\thim,\ta\tvery\tsimple\tand\tbasic\tone\twhich is\twhen\ta\tcoach\tcriticises\ta\tplayer\tfrom\ta\ttactical\tstandpoint\tto\ttry\tto\timprove him\tand\the\tdoesn\u2019t\ttake\tit\twell,\tmaybe\tit\u2019s\tbecause\the\tthinks\the\tknows\tit\tall.\tIf that\u2019s\tthe\tcase,\tthe\tcoach\tcan\u2019t\thelp\thim\tdevelop\tfurther.\u2019\t(Reuters,\tJune\t2013) Ronaldo:\t\u2018[In\tthe\tMourinho\tera]\tthere\twas\ta\tbad\tatmosphere\tand\tit\twas\ta complicated\tperiod\tin\tpersonal\tterms\tfor\tme\tand\tfor\tthe\tclub.\tThere\twere situations\tgoing\ton\twith\tother\tplayers\tand\tthe\tfans,\ttoo.\u2019\t(TVI\tof\tPortugal, August\t2014) Mourinho:\t\u2018Cristiano\thad\tthree\tfantastic\tseasons\twith\tme\t.\t.\t.\tI\tthink\twe\tcreated a\tfantastic\ttactical\tsituation\tso\tthat\the\tcould\texpress\tall\this\tpotential\tand\tturn\tit into\trecords\tand\tgoals.\u2019\t(Europa\tPress\tAgency,\t5\tJune\t2013) Mourinho\tknows\tthat\this\twords\tare\tnever\ttaken\tas\tinnocent\tcomments. Mourinho:\t\u2018I\u2019ve\tcoached\tthe\tbest\tplayers,\tRonaldo,\tfor\texample.\tNot\tthis\tone, the\treal\tone,\tthe\tBrazilian\tone.\u2019\t(ESPN,\t3\tAugust\t2013) Ronaldo\t(responding\tto\tthe\tprevious\tstatement\tat\ta\tpress\tconference):\t\u2018There\tare things\tin\tlife\tthat\tdeserve\tno\tcomment\tand\tthis\tis\tone\tmore\tof\tthem\tfor\tobvious reasons\t.\t.\t.\tI\tdon\u2019t\tspit\ton\tthe\tplate\tthat\tfeeds\tme\tand\tI\tdon\u2019t\tspeak\tabout\tpeople who\tspeak\till\tof\tme.\u2019 Mourinho,\taccording\tto\tSpanish\tbroadcaster\tPaco\tGonzalez:\t\u2018I\tneeded\tto\thave real\tplayers\tagain,\tlike\tthe\tones\tI\thave\tat\tChelsea.\u2019 They\tare\tnot\ton\tspeaking\tterms\tnowadays,\talthough\ta\ttruce\twas\tdeclared through\tMendes.\tAnd\tthis\tis\tthe\tsound\tof\tthe\tceasefire:\tMourinho\tincluded Ronaldo\tin\this\tbest\televen\tof\tplayers\tthat\the\thas\tcoached.\t\u00d6zil\tis\tthe\tonly\tother name\tfrom\this\ttime\tat\tReal\tMadrid\twho\tmade\tthe\tcut. But\tthe\tpossibility\tof\tthe\todd\tjibe\tis\timpossible\tto\tresist\tfor\tthe\tmischievous Mourinho.\tReal\tMadrid\u2019s\tappointment\tof\tRafa\tBen\u00edtez\tto\tthe\tmanagerial\tpost was\tanother\topportunity\tfor\thim\tto\tshow\tthat\tside\tof\thimself\tin\tsummer\t2015.","Mourinho:\t\u2018Ronaldo\twas\tfantastic\tthe\tseason\tbefore,\the\tscored\tan\tincredible number\tof\tgoals,\tbut\tI\tdon\u2019t\tlike\tplayers\tor\tcoaches\twho\twin\tindividual\tawards without\tthe\tteam\t.\t.\t.\tPlayers\tmust\tunderstand\tthat\tthe\tteam\tcomes\tfirst.\u2019 To\tbe\tcontinued\t.\t.\t. Let\u2019s\tgo\tback\tto\tthe\tend\tof\tthe\t2012\u201313\tseason,\tMourinho\u2019s\tlast\tat\tthe\thelm. Before\tgoing\ton\tholiday,\tCristiano\treceived\tan\toffer\tfrom\tthe\tclub\tthat\twould take\this\tgross\tannual\tsalary\tclose\tto\t\u20ac30\tmillion.\tIt\tmet\tmany\tof\tthe\tplayer\u2019s demands\tand\tcould\thave\tbeen\tsigned\tin\tJune,\tbut\tRonaldo\tplayed\ta\twaiting game. There\twas\tno\trush. It\twas\tnot\tuntil\t15\tSeptember\t2013\tthat\the\tfinally\tput\tpen\tto\tpaper\ton\ta\tfive-year deal,\tmaking\thim\tthe\tbest-paid\tplayer\tin\tthe\tworld:\t\u20ac10\tmillion\tnet\twith\tadd-ons that\tcould\teasily\tbecome\t\u20ac21\tmillion\tnet\tper\tyear. His\trelease\tclause\tremained\tat\t\u20ac1\tbillion. Without\tMourinho\u2019s\tcounterbalance,\tthe\twhole\tclub\tshifted\tto\tRonaldo\u2019s\tside.\tIt was\tnow\tat\tthe\tmercy\tof\tits\tmercurial\tnumber\tseven.\tFlorentino\tP\u00e9rez\talways attends\taward\tceremonies\tinvolving\this\tstar,\teven\tif\tthey\tare\tnot\tfootball-related. If\tJorge\tMendes\thas\ta\tbook\tlaunch,\tthe\tpresident\tis\tthere.\tIf\tCristiano\tscores\this 300th\tgoal,\ta\tcommemorative\tshirt\tis\tmade\tand\tpresented\tto\tthe\tplayer\tby\tthe president\twhile\tphotos\tare\ttaken. If\tsomebody\twants\tto\twrite\ta\tbook\tabout\tRonaldo\tand\tspeak\tto\tthe\tReal\tMadrid directors,\tit\thas\tto\tbe\tnegotiated\twith\tJorge\tMendes\tbeforehand. It\twent\tfrom\tone\textreme\tto\tthe\tother,\twith\ta\tcertain\tlevel\tof\tindifference replaced\tby\texaggerated\tsubservience.\t\u2018The\tclub\texisted\tbefore\tand\twill\texist after\tCristiano,\u2019\tstated\tRela\u00f1o.\t\u2018There\u2019s\tno\tneed\tto\tbe\tconstantly\tat\tthe\tbeck\tand call\tof\tthe\tman\tof\tthe\tmoment.\tReal\tMadrid\thave\thad\tan\tessence\tand\ta\tglobal vision\tfor\tover\ta\tcentury.\u2019 The\tfans,\tin\tpart\tthanks\tto\ttheir\ttopsy-turvy\trelationship\twith\tthe\tPortuguese, seemed\tbetter\tequipped\tto\tembody\tthe\tclub\u2019s\tsoul\tand\tsince\tday\tone\tthey\thave understood\tthat\tCristiano\tis\tjust\tpassing\tthrough.\tHe\tis\tpart\tof\tthe\tclub\tand\tmay","understood\tthat\tCristiano\tis\tjust\tpassing\tthrough.\tHe\tis\tpart\tof\tthe\tclub\tand\tmay even\tbe\tthe\tbest\tplayer\tby\ta\tdistance,\tbut\topinion\tsurveys\tin\tthe\tsports\tpress suggest\tthat\tif\the\twants\tto\tleave\tone\tday,\tthe\tfans\twill\tgladly\tshow\thim\tthe\tdoor. They\tregard\tthe\tclub\u2019s\tdeference\ttowards\thim\tas\tunhealthy\tand\tunnecessary. Summer\t2013\tsignalled\tthe\tarrival\tof\ta\tnew\tcoach\twho\tapplied\tone\tof\tmy favourite\tfootballing\ttheories,\ta\tCharly\tRexach\tgem.\tPut\tsome\tuncooked\tbeans on\ta\tplate,\tsome\tare\ton\ttop\tof\tothers,\tright?\tBut\tif\tyou\tgive\tthe\tplate\ta\tshake,\tthe beans\tgradually\tmove\tinto\tplace.\tIt\tapplies\tto\tmatches\tand\tsquads;\teveryone finds\ttheir\tplace\tin\tthe\tworld\tin\tthe\tend.\tFormer\tAC\tMilan,\tChelsea\tand\tPSG boss\tCarlo\tAncelotti\thad\talready\tdealt\twith\tbig-name\tpresidents\tand\tstars\tand knew\thow\tto\tmanage\tthem;\the\thad\tlearnt\thow\tto\tshake\tthe\tplate\tof\tbeans.\tHis appointment\twas\tlogical\t\u2013\the\twas\ta\tkind\tof\tanti-Mourinho\tfigure,\tbut\tabove\tall\ta winner. Asier\tIllarramendi\t(Real\tSociedad),\tDani\tCarvajal\t(Bayer\tLeverkusen)\tand\tIsco (M\u00e1laga)\talso\tjoined\tthe\tclub\tthat\tsummer\twhile\t\u00c1lvaro\tMorata\twas\tpromoted\tto the\tfirst\tteam. On\t1\tSeptember,\tthe\tPremier\tLeague\u2019s\tbest\tplayer,\tGareth\tBale,\tthe\tnew gal\u00e1ctico,\tsigned\tfrom\tTottenham\tafter\tan\tintense\tperiod\tof\tnegotiations. Florentino\twon\tthe\telections\tas\tthe\tonly\tcandidate\tonce\tagain.\tHe\thad\tjust\tone goal:\tafter\tthree\tconsecutive\tChampions\tLeague\tsemi-finals,\tthey\thad\tto\twin\tLa D\u00e9cima.\tThe\tplayers\twere\tall\ton\tthe\tsame\tpage:\tthey\twanted\tto\tprove\tthey\twere top\tfootballers\twho\tcould\talso\twin\twithout\tMourinho\u2019s\tdivisive\tand\tcautious approach. Cristiano\tRonaldo\thit\ttop\tform\tin\tNovember,\tjust\tin\ttime\tfor\tthe\tplay-offs\tto determine\twho\twould\treach\tthe\tWorld\tCup\tin\tBrazil.\tZlatan\tIbrahimovi\u0107\u2019s Sweden\tstood\tin\tPortugal\u2019s\tway. Maybe\tit\twas\tthe\ttie\tthat\teven\this\tbiggest\tsceptics\twere\twaiting\tfor\tin\torder\tto\tbe convinced.\tHe\tneeded\tto\tperform\tat\tthe\tkey\tmoment. His\timpact\twould\tturn\tout\tto\tbe\ttremendously\ttelling. In\tthe\tfirst\tleg,\this\theader\tin\tthe\teighty-second\tminute\twas\tthe\tonly\tgoal\tof\tthe game\tand\tit\tleft\tthe\ttie\tfinely\tpoised.\tThe\treturn\tin\tStockholm\tsaw\tthe\tMadeiran","game\tand\tit\tleft\tthe\ttie\tfinely\tpoised.\tThe\treturn\tin\tStockholm\tsaw\tthe\tMadeiran unleash\this\ttalent\tand\tpower.\tNot\teven\tchants\tof\t\u2018Messi,\tMessi\u2019\tthat\tgreeted\this arrival\tat\tthe\tstadium\tcould\tsilence\thim. He\twas\tall\tthe\tmore\tprepared\tfor\ta\thostile\tatmosphere\tand\tthe\tchallenge\tat\thand. He\tmanaged\tto\tfind\tspace,\ttime\this\truns\tin\tbehind\tto\tperfection,\tdrive\tforward with\tpace\tand\tprecision,\tcorrectly\tidentify\tSweden\u2019s\tweak\tspots\tand\tstrike\tthe ball\tat\tthe\tright\tmoment.\tHe\thad\ttwelve\tshots\ton\tgoal. A\tstunning\tsecond-half\that-trick\tin\tjust\thalf\tan\thour\twas\ta\tcounter-attacking masterclass. It\twas\tone\tof\tthose\tperformances\tthat\tdefines\ta\tgeneration.\tHaving\talready overtaken\tEus\u00e9bio,\tthis\that-trick\ttook\tRonaldo\tlevel\twith\tPauleta\tas\tPortugal\u2019s all-time\tleading\tgoalscorer. He\twas\tat\tthe\tpeak\tof\this\tfootballing\tpowers. Poor\tFranck\tRib\u00e9ry,\twho\tbelieved\the\twas\tin\twith\ta\tshot\tof\twinning\tthe\tBallon d\u2019Or\tafter\tBayern\tMunich\u2019s\thistoric\tleague,\tcup\tand\tChampions\tLeague\twinning campaign,\tmust\thave\tseen\this\tchances\tgo\tup\tin\tflames\tthere\tand\tthen. I\twatched\tthat\t3\u20132\twin\tthat\tsealed\tPortugal\u2019s\tplace\tat\tthe\t2014\tWorld\tCup\tin\ta bar\tin\tthe\tmedina\tof\tEssaouira,\ta\tseaside\ttown\tin\tMorocco.\tThe\tlocals\twho packed\tit\tout\tsided\twith\tSweden\tdue\tto\ttheir\tloyalty\ttowards\tMessi,\twho\tthey identify\twith,\tto\tthe\tsurprise\tof\tthree\tlost\tSwedes\twho\thad\tturned\tup\tto\twatch\tthe game. Every\tclose-up\tof\tRonaldo\twas\tgreeted\twith\ta\tgeneral\tboo.\tIbrahimovi\u0107\u2019s\ttwo goals\twere\tjoyously\tcelebrated\tby\tMoroccans\tand\tthe\tthree\tSwedes,\twho remained\tflabbergasted\tby\tthe\tcommunal\tpassion\tfor\ttheir\tcountry.\tPerhaps\tit was\tdown\tto\tgeneral\tanti-Ronaldo\tfeeling,\tas\the\tplays\tfor\tReal,\tthe\trichest\tclub in\tthe\tworld.\tIt\tseems\tas\tthough\tRonaldo\tand\tthe\tclub\the\tplays\tfor\tare\toften\tseen as\tthe\tantithesis\tto\tthe\tvictimised\tFC\tBarcelona\tand\tto\tMessi,\ta\tplayer\tfrom\ta poor\tbackground\twhom\tthey\tcan\tidentify\twith.\tWhat\ta\tfascinating\tbut\tconfusing state\tof\taffairs,\tparticularly\tas\tRonaldo\tcomes\tfrom\ta\tpoor\tbackground\thimself. By\tthe\tend\tof\tit,\tCristiano\thad\tshut\tthem\tup,\ttoo.","The\tdebate\tover\twhether\tthe\tFrenchman\tcould\twin\tthe\tBallon\td\u2019Or\twas\ta perfectly\trational\tone.\tBut\tgiven\tthat\tthe\tother\ttwo\tcandidates\twere\tRonaldo\tand Messi\t.\t.\t.\twell\t.\t.\t.\tyou\tmight\tas\twell\tpack\tup\tand\tgo\thome.\tFurthermore,\tin December\t2013\tthere\twere\ta\tnumber\tof\tincidents\tthat\tswayed\tmany\tpeople towards\tthe\tPortuguese. \u2018I\u2019ve\tbeen\tnervous\tfor\ta\tfew\tweeks.\tEveryone\twas\tspeaking\tabout\tthe\tBallon d\u2019Or.\tIf\tI\twould\twin\tit,\tif\tI\twould\tnot,\tif\tit\twould\tbe\tRib\u00e9ry\t.\t.\t.\tEven\tmy\tmother was\tregularly\tasking\tme,\t\u201cAre\tyou\tgoing\tto\twin?\u201d\u201935\tThe\tBallon\td\u2019Or\thad become\ta\tsort\tof\tobsession\tfor\tCristiano,\tespecially\tafter\tLeo\tMessi\u2019s\tfour\tin\ta row\tand\tthousands\tof\thours\ton\tthe\ttraining\tground. The\tPortuguese\u2019s\t2013\ttally\tof\tsixty-nine\tgoals\t(twenty-two\tmore\tthan\tMessi) made\thim\tfavourite\tin\tmany\tpeople\u2019s\teyes,\talthough\the\thad\tnot\twon\tany\tmajor silverware\t(Barcelona\twon\tLa\tLiga).\tThe\tArgentinian\twas\tprevented\tfrom hitting\ttop\tform\tby\tinjury,\twhich\tsuited\tRonaldo\tdown\tto\tthe\tground,\tbut\tthe debate\tremained\talive. FIFA\tpresident\tSepp\tBlatter\tdecided\tto\tget\tup\tfrom\this\tseat\tduring\ta\tconference at\tthe\tOxford\tUnion\ttwo\tmonths\tbefore\tthe\tvote\tand\tmarch\tlike\ta\tsoldier\t\u2018onto the\tfield\tof\tplay\u2019.\tThe\tgesture\twas\timmediately\tinterpreted\tas\tcaricaturing Ronaldo.\tReal\tMadrid\tdemanded\tan\tapology,\tthe\tPortuguese\ttook\toffence\tand responded\tin\this\town\tway:\tby\tscoring\ta\that-trick\tin\this\tnext\tmatch,\tbreaking Pusk\u00e1s\u2019s\tgoalscoring\trecord\tin\tLa\tLiga,\tand\tcelebrating\twith\ta\tmilitary\tsalute. His\treturn\tover\tthe\tnext\tfive\tgames\twas\ta\twhopping\tten\tgoals. The\tbalance\twas\tswinging\tin\this\tfavour,\tboosted\tby\tFIFA\u2019s\tdecision\tto\tdelay\tthe voting\tdate\tfor\tcaptains,\tnational\tteam\tcoaches\tand\tjournalists\tin\torder\tto\tinclude the\tWorld\tCup\tplay-offs,\tin\twhich\tboth\tRib\u00e9ry\tand\tRonaldo\twould\tfeature. The\tPortuguese,\twho\thad\tthreatened\tnot\tto\tattend\tthe\tFIFA\tceremony,\tflew\tto Zurich\ton\t13\tJanuary\t2014\twith\tIrina,\this\tmother\tDolores,\this\tson,\this\tsiblings and\tJorge\tMendes,\tamong\tothers.\tAnd\tFlorentino\tP\u00e9rez. Ronaldo\tand\tMessi\texchanged\ta\tlook\tof\tmutual\tunderstanding,\tthe\todd\tjoke\tand public\twords\tof\trespect. Then\tthe\tmoment\tcame.","Pel\u00e9\topened\tthe\tenvelope\tand\tannounced\tthat\tthe\tBallon\td\u2019Or\twinner\twas\t.\t.\t. Cristiano\tRonaldo! Five\tyears\tlater,\the\twas\tonce\tagain\tbeing\trecognised\tas\tthe\tbest\tin\tthe\tworld.\tI have\tthe\timpression\the\tthinks\tthat\tnobody\tis\tbetter\tthan\thim\tbut\twants\tthe\tworld to\tshare\tthat\tbelief.\tThat\taward\tput\tpaid\tto\tthe\tdebate,\tfor\tthe\ttime\tbeing\tat\tleast. Cristiano\thugged\tPel\u00e9.\tHe\tknew\twhat\the\twanted\tto\tsay,\the\thad\trehearsed.\tAnd suddenly\t.\t.\t. His\tson\tjumped\tonstage,\thaving\tnever\tpreviously\tseen\this\tfather\twin\tthat\taward. Cristiano\tpicked\thim\tup. And\the\tbegan\this\tspeech:\t\u2018Good\tevening.\tThere\tare\tno\twords\tto\tdescribe\tthis moment\t.\t.\t.\u2019\tAnd\the\tcould\tnot\tgo\ton.\tThe\taudience\tencouraged\thim\twith\ta round\tof\tapplause. He\twas\tcrying.\tHis\tmother\twas\tcrying.\tIrina,\ttoo.\tFlorentino\thad\ta\tlump\tin\this throat.\tAlmost\teveryone\tdid. \u2018Thank\tyou\tto\tmy\tteam-mates\tat\tReal\tMadrid\tand\tin\tthe\tnational\tteam\t.\t.\t.\u2019 His\twords\twere\tbarely\tcoming\tout\tas\the\tsobbed. \u2018Thank\tyou\tto\tmy\tagent,\tmy\tpeople,\tmy\tmother,\tmy\tson\twho\u2019s\there\tfor\tthe\tfirst time\t.\t.\t.\u2019\tHe\talso\tmentioned\tthe\tname\tof\tEus\u00e9bio,\tthe\tPortugal\tlegend\thaving recently\tpassed\taway. \u2018Everything\texploded\twithin\tme,\u2019\tRonaldo\tadmitted\tweeks\tlater.\t\u2018Not\tjust because\tof\tthe\tprize,\tbut\tfor\tso\tmany\tyears\tof\tbattling\tto\tbe\tthe\tbest.\tI\tdeserved it.\u2019 There\twas\tstill\ttime\tfor\tanother\tmoment\tof\taffection.\tRonaldo\u2019s\tmother, alongside\tKatia\tand\tElma,\twent\tup\tto\tMessi.\tShe\tpolitely\tasked\thim\tif\tthey could\thave\ta\tphoto\ttogether.\tLeo\trecognised\tthem\tand\twas\tsurprised,\tbut smilingly\taccepted. Incidentally,\tRib\u00e9ry\tcame\tthird.","Ronaldo\tshook\tthe\tFIFA\tpresident\u2019s\thand\tduring\tthe\tceremony.\tThe\timage campaign\twas\tworking,\this\tmaturity\tseemed\tconfirmed. Everyone\tchanted\tRonaldo\u2019s\tname\ton\tthe\tflight\tback\tto\tMadrid,\tpresident included,\tand\thad\tphotos\ttaken\twith\tthe\ttrophy.\tHe\twas\twelcomed\tback\tto training\twith\ta\tstanding\tovation\tand\tCristiano\ttold\this\tteam-mates\tthat\tthe\taward was\tfor\tthem,\ttoo. Nobody\tdoubted\tCristiano\u2019s\timportance\ton\tthe\tpitch,\tbut\the\tnow\thad\ta\tbetter attitude\tin\tmatches.\tHe\twould\tsmile,\tcomplain\tless\t(against\tthe\topposition\tor after\ta\tbad\tdecision\tby\ta\tteam-mate)\tand\tavoid\tprovocation.\tHe\twould sometimes\tdo\twhat\tthey\tcall\t\u2018a\trun\tfor\tthe\tcameras\u2019,\tthat\tineffectual\tsprint\tafter a\tlost\tcause\tthat\tthe\tBernab\u00e9u\tfaithful\tappreciates\tso\tmuch\tas\ta\tsign\tof commitment.\tAnd\tfurthermore,\tclub\tdirectors\tclaimed\tthat\the\twas\tincreasingly involved\tin\tthe\tday-to-day\tgoings-on\tat\tthe\tclub. \u2018[From\ta\tdistance]\tI\tnoticed\ta\tbig\tchange\tin\tRonaldo\u2019s\tbehaviour,\u2019\twrote\tJerzy Dudek\tin\this\tautobiography.\t\u2018He\tworked\tvery\thard\tfor\tthe\tteam,\the\u2019d\twin\tthe ball\tback\tand\tcreate\tchances\tfor\this\tteam-mates.\tAnd\the\tstopped\tthose\tirritating gestures.\u201923 Ronaldo\tunderstood\tthat\tthe\tmatch\tno\tlonger\tbelonged\tsolely\tto\thim\tand\tacted accordingly. \u2018When\tI\twas\tat\tBenfica,\u2019\tadmitted\t\u00c1ngel\tDi\tMar\u00eda,\t\u2018I\tsaw\thim\tas\tan\tegocentric and\tself-centred\tperson.\tBut\tafterwards,\twhen\tI\tmet\thim,\tthat\tcouldn\u2019t\thave\tbeen further\tfrom\tthe\ttruth.\tHe\u2019s\ta\tnormal,\tsimple\tand\tvery\tcaring\tperson.\u2019 The\tPortuguese\tknew\tthat\tthe\tworld\twas\this\toyster.\tHe\thad\tconquered\tthem\tall, just\tlike\tin\this\tdreams. \u2018Maybe\twhen\the\tarrived\the\twas\ta\tbit\tmore\tirrational,\tbut\the\tgradually\tmatured,\u2019 stated\tXabi\tAlonso. \u2018He\u2019s\tgone\tfrom\thaving\ttechnical\tleadership\tbased\ton\this\tquality,\tto\tmature leadership,\u2019\tadded\tJorge\tValdano.\t\u2018Now\the\thas\tthings\tto\tsay\tand\tsays\tthem.\u2019 Various\tdinners\ttook\tplace\tbetween\tRonaldo,\tSergio\tRamos\t\u2013\twho\tthe\tMadeiran identifies\tas\tthe\tessence\tof\tthe\tclub\t\u2013\tand\tCasillas\tin\twhich\tthey\tdiscussed personal\tmatters\tlinked\tto\tthe\tteam\tand\tthe\tsquad.\tAlthough\the\twas\tnot\ta captain,\the\twas\tinvited\tto\tbe\tpart\tof\tthe\tleadership\tteam.","captain,\the\twas\tinvited\tto\tbe\tpart\tof\tthe\tleadership\tteam. When\tDi\tMar\u00eda\twas\toffered\ta\tpitiful\tnew\tdeal,\tCristiano\tmade\tan\teffort\tfor\thim to\tstay.\t\u2018He\talways\ttreated\tme\tvery\twell\tand\twas\tthere\tin\tthe\tmost\tdifficult times,\u2019\trecalled\tthe\tArgentinian.\t\u2018He\teven\tspoke\tto\tthe\tpresident\tabout\tmy contract.\u2019 His\taccepted\tascendency\twithin\tthe\tgroup\twas\taccompanied\tby\tfurther\tpublic recognition.\tTime\tmagazine\tlisted\thim\tamong\tthe\t100\tmost\tinfluential\tpeople\tin the\tworld\tin\ttheir\tlist\tfrom\tApril\t2014.\tOnly\tthree\tother\tsportsmen\tand\twomen were\tincluded:\tRichard\tSherman\t(NFL),\ttennis\tstar\tSerena\tWilliams\tand\tgolfer Lydia\tKo. The\tAnxious\tOne\thad\tleft\this\tangst\tbehind.\tWould\tit\tbe\tfor\tever? \u2018Carlo\tAncelotti\tknows\tthat\tthe\tfirst\tlaw\tof\tfootball\tis\tthat\tthe\tplayers\tare\tthe most\timportant\tcomponent,\u2019\tsaid\t\u00d3scar\tCampillo,\tMarca\tdirector.\tReal Madrid\u2019s\tstars\tinitially\tconfused\this\tlaid-back\tattitude\tand\thumility\twith\ta\tlack of\tknowledge\tand\tauthority.\tThey\tsoon\trealised\tthat\this\tsubtle\tinterventions\tare aimed\tat\tfinding\ta\tbalance\tin\tthe\tmost\tnatural\tway\tpossible:\the\tmade\tdemands on\teveryone\tbased\ton\ttheir\tability\tand\toffered\teach\tplayer\twhat\the\tneeded.\tWell, with\tthe\todd\texception,\tsuch\tas\tRonaldo. \u2018When\twe\tarrived,\tCarlo\twanted\tto\tplay\thim\tas\ta\tcentral\tstriker\tso\tthat\the wouldn\u2019t\thave\tso\tmany\tdefensive\tduties,\u2019\texplained\tthe\tItalian\u2019s\tassistant\tat\tthe time,\tPaul\tClement.\t\u2018We\ttried\tit,\tbut\tthe\tplayer\tdidn\u2019t\tfeel\tcomfortable.\tThe coach\tspoke\tto\thim\tand\the\ttold\tCarlo\this\tpoint\tof\tview.\u2019 That\tconversation\tdefined\twhat\twould\tfollow. \u2018I\tprefer\tto\treceive\tthe\tball\tdown\tthe\tleft\tand\tattack\tfrom\tthe\twing.\tI\tgrew\tup playing\tlike\tthat,\u2019\the\ttold\tAncelotti,\taccording\tto\ta\tmember\tof\tReal\u2019s\ttechnical staff. And\tso\tthey\tneeded\tto\twork\tout\ta\tdefensive\tsolution\tbecause\tCristiano\tcould\tnot get\tback\tand\tcover\tthe\twing.\t\u00c1ngel\tDi\tMar\u00eda,\twho\twas\twilling\tto\trun\tall\tmatch long,\twould\tbe\this\tprotector\ton\tthe\tleft. \u2018We\tfound\ta\tvery\tcoachable\tCristiano\u2019,\tcontinued\tClement.\t\u2018He\tknew\the couldn\u2019t\tdo\tit\tall\thimself.\u2019","couldn\u2019t\tdo\tit\tall\thimself.\u2019 Cristiano\tfelt\tcomfortable\tin\tthe\t4-3-3\tformation\tthat\tthe\tItalian\tproposed,\twhich gave\thim\tthe\tfreedom\tof\tthe\tleft\twing\tto\tattack\tas\the\twished,\taccompanied\tup front\tby\tBenzema\tin\ta\tdynamic\tnumber-nine\trole,\twhich\twas\tadapted\tto Cristiano\u2019s\tneeds,\tand\tby\tGareth\tBale,\twho\taccepted\ta\tspot\tdown\tthe\tright without\tkicking\tup\ta\tfuss,\tsimply\thappy\tto\thave\treached\tthe\tzenith\tof\this\tcareer. The\tPortuguese,\twho\twas\teffectively\ta\tsecond\tstriker,\tlifted\this\thead\tmore, performed\tbetter\t(or\tas\tmore\tof\ta\tteam\tplayer)\tand\tmade\tmore\tof\tdragging defenders\tout\tof\tposition\tto\tplay\tmore\tballs\tin\tbehind\tand\tincrease\this\tassist tally:\the\tendeavoured\tto\tbe\tmore\tthan\ta\tgoalscorer.\tOpponents\thad\tto\tcontend with\tthe\tconcept\tof\tRonaldo\tboth\tstarting\tattacks\tand\tfinishing\tthem\toff. Did\tBale\thave\tsomething\tto\tdo\twith\tthat\ttransformation?\tWas\tRonaldo\treacting to\tthe\tsigning\tof\ta\tnew\tgal\u00e1ctico\twho,\tincidentally,\twas\tnot\ta\tnatural\tin\tterms\tof the\tdefensive\tside\tof\tthe\tgame\teither?\tOr\twas\the\tshowing\this\tbest\tside\tbecause he\thad\tmanaged\tto\tprove\this\tvalue\tto\tthe\twhole\tworld?\tWas\tit\tAncelotti\u2019s\tdoing, demonstrating\tthat\the\tknew\thow\tto\tfit\tthe\tpieces\ttogether\tand\tunderstood\thow\tto treat\tCristiano,\twith\twhom\the\tdeveloped\tan\texcellent\tmutual\tunderstanding? \u2018Every\tseason\tis\ta\tnew\tchallenge\tfor\tme,\u2019\texplained\tRonaldo\ton\tFifa.com\tsoon after\tAncelotti\u2019s\tarrival.\t\u2018It\u2019s\tabout\tbeing\tpredisposed\tto\tlearn.\u2019 Or\tmaybe,\ton\tthe\tverge\tof\tthirty,\tCristiano\twas\ttrying\tto\tadapt\tto\tthe\tlimits\tthat his\tbody\twas\tstarting\tto\timpose\ton\thim?\tDuring\tAncelotti\u2019s\tfirst\tseason\tin charge,\the\thad\ta\tpatellar\ttendon\tproblem\tthat\tpersisted\tfrom\tApril\tuntil\tJune, affecting\tthe\tbusiness\tpart\tof\tthe\tseason\tand\tthe\tWorld\tCup\tin\tBrazil. The\tteam,\tmeanwhile,\tcoped\twith\tthe\tstar\u2019s\ttroubles\tadmirably. La\tLiga\twould\tgo\tright\tdown\tto\tthe\twire\twith\teverything\thinging\ton\ta\tpivotal clash\tat\tthe\tCamp\tNou\tbetween\tan\tinconsistent\tBarcelona\tand\tsurprise-package Atl\u00e9tico\tde\tMadrid.\tIt\tended\t1\u20131,\tmeaning\tthe\tvisitors\tclinched\ttheir\tfirst\tleague title\tin\teighteen\tyears.\tReal\tMadrid,\twhose\tunbalanced\tsquad\tprevented\tthem from\tgoing\tthe\tdistance\tin\tthe\tleague,\thad\tdevoted\tall\ttheir\tenergy\tto\tthe\ttwo cups,\treaching\tboth\tfinals.\tThe\tCopa\tdel\tRey\tfinal\tagainst\tBarca\twas\tplayed\tin Valencia,\talthough\tRonaldo\tcould\tonly\tlook\ton\tfrom\tthe\tstands\tas\the\tdecided not\tto\tgamble\ton\ta\thamstring\tproblem\tcaused\tby\this\trecurrent\tpatellar\ttendonitis.","At\tthe\tend\tof\ta\tcontest\tthat\twas\t1\u20131\ttill\tGareth\tBale\tmade\ta\tbarnstorming\tsprint and\tcool\tfinish\twith\tfive\tminutes\tleft\ton\tthe\tclock,\tLeo\tMessi\twas\tstanding hands\ton\thips\tas\the\tstared\tat\tthe\tground.\tCristiano,\tdressed\tin\ta\tsmart,\ttight- fitting\tblack\tsuit,\tblack\ttie,\twhite\tshirt\tand\tblack\tcap,\twent\tup\tto\tthe\tArgentinian and\tput\tan\tarm\taround\thim. Leo\tlooked\tup\tand\ttapped\thim\ton\tthe\tstomach.\tRonaldo\tlowered\this\tneck\tto\tget closer\tto\tthe\tArgentinian\tto\tutter\tsome\tcomforting\twords\tthat\trestored\ta\tsmile\tto his\tarch-rival\u2019s\tface. Ronaldo\tseemed\tto\tgrasp\tit\tbetter\tthan\tever.\tIt\twas\tas\tthough\the\tno\tlonger\tsaw Leo\tas\tsimply\this\tnemesis\tafter\tyears\tof\tsuffering\t(and\tenjoying?)\tfrom\ttrying\tto keep\tup\tthe\tlevel\tthat\twould\tbring\thim\tcloser\tto\t\u2018the\tFlea\u2019\tand\tsurpass\thim.\tHis second\tBallon\td\u2019Or\tand\tan\texcellent\tchance\tof\ta\tthird\tone\tif\tthe\tChampions League\tfinal\tand\tWorld\tCup\twent\twell\tmade\thim\tsee\this\trival\tas\ta\tfellow professional\twho\talso\tsuffered\tfrom\tinjuries,\treceived\tcriticism\tand\twon\tmore than\the\tlost,\tbut\the\tdid\tlose,\ttoo. A\tguy\twho\thad\tfollowed\ta\tvery\tsimilar\tpath.\tA\tpartner\tfor\tthe\troad. The\temotional\thug\twas\tan\tacknowledgement\tthat\tdespite\tthe\trivalry\tbeloved\tof the\tmedia,\tthese\ttwo\tmen,\teach\tin\ttheir\town\tway,\twere\tthe\tliving\tembodiment\tof the\tsheer\tpower\tof\thuman\twill\tto\ttriumph\tover\tall\todds. Real\tMadrid\treached\tthe\tChampions\tLeague\tfinal\tin\tLisbon\tafter\teliminating Schalke\t04\tin\tthe\tlast\tsixteen\tand\tBorussia\tDortmund\tin\tthe\tquarter-finals, followed\tby\ta\trout\tof\tBayern\tMunich\tin\tthe\tsemi-finals,\twho\twere\tbeaten\t1\u20130\tat the\tBernab\u00e9u\t(Ronaldo\tplayed\tseventy-three\tminutes)\tand\t4\u20130\tin\tMunich\twith the\tPortuguese\tscoring\ttwice. Both\tBayern\tMunich\tlegs\twere\textraordinary. Guardiola\u2019s\tinjury-plagued\tBayern\tknew\tthat\tXabi\tAlonso\twas\tkey\tto\tReal Madrid\u2019s\tdefensive\tsolidity\tand\tcounter-attacks\tas\the\taccurately\tand\tregularly released\tthe\t\u2018three\tbeasts\u2019\tupfront,\tas\tthe\tCatalan\tcoach\tdescribed\tBale, Benzema\tand\tRonaldo\tin\tMart\u00ed\tPerarnau\u2019s\tfascinating\tbook\tHerr\tPep.\tHe\talso noted\tthat\tCristiano\twould\tnot\tdrop\tback\tto\tdefend\tand\tso\the\twanted\tto\tstretch the\tReal\tMadrid\tdefence\tand\ttry\tto\tfind\tspace\tin\tbehind\tthe\tPortuguese.","It\tcertainly\tworked\tin\tthe\tfirst\tleg\t\u2013\tit\twas\ta\t\u2018Bayern\texhibition\u2019\tin\tPep\u2019s\twords. Ronaldo\tspurned\ta\tgilt-edged\topportunity\twhich\twas\tthe\tfocus\tof\tthe\tmedia attention\talongside\ta\tDi\tMar\u00eda\tmiss\tand\tBenzema\u2019s\tgoal,\tbut\tthe\tvisitors\twere the\tdominant\tside\tin\tthe\t1\u20130\tReal\tMadrid\tvictory. In\tthe\treturn\tleg,\thowever,\tPep\tbetrayed\this\town\tfootballing\tideals\tand consequently\tsuffered\tthe\tworst\tdefeat\tof\this\tcareer\tand\tBayern\u2019s\theaviest mauling\tin\tEurope.\tHis\t4-2-4\tformation,\twhich\the\thad\trefused\tto\tuse\tall\tseason long,\twas\tinfluenced\tby\tan\toverly\tconfident\tatmosphere.\tThe\tsystem\tfilled Bayern\u2019s\tteam\twith\tstrikers\twho\tleft\t\u2018a\tmeadow\tof\tmetres\u2019\tbetween\tthemselves and\tthe\tdefence. It\twas\tRonaldo\u2019s\tideal\tstage. After\ttwo\tSergio\tRamos\theaders,\tCristiano,\twho\texpertly\texploited\tthe\tspace available\tthanks\tto\tPep\u2019s\ttactical\terror,\tscored\this\tfirst\tfrom\ta\truthless\tfour-pass counter-attack\tafter\tRib\u00e9ry\twas\tdispossessed.\tLater\ton\tthe\tPortuguese\tcompleted the\tscoring\twith\ta\tlow\tfree-kick\tthat\tcrept\tunder\tthe\twall:\t4\u20130. \u2018I\twas\titching\tto\treach\tthe\tfinal,\u2019\texplained\ta\tjubilant\tCristiano\tafter\tthe\tmatch. \u2018Ancelotti\thas\tto\ttake\tall\tthe\tcredit.\tHe\u2019s\tchanged\teverything,\tincluding\tthe players\u2019\tmentality.\u2019 Real\tMadrid\tstayed\tat\tthe\tTivoli\tHotel\ton\tcentral\tLisbon\u2019s\tAvenida\tda Liberdade\tfor\tthe\tChampions\tLeague\tfinal\twhere\tthey\twere\twelcomed\tby\t400 fans. Including\tJos\u00e9\tPereira. The\towner\tof\tthe\tDon\tJos\u00e9\thostel\tjust\t300\tmetres\tfrom\tthe\tTivoli\twanted\tto witness\tthe\tarrival\tof\tthe\tboy\twho\thad\tstayed\tin\tone\tof\tthe\tmodest\ttwin\trooms\tin his\testablishment\tfor\ta\tfew\tmonths\tas\ta\tsixteen-year-old.\tIt\twas\tthere,\twhile watching\ta\tcommunal\ttelevision,\tthat\the\ttold\this\tfriends,\tother\tSporting\tLisbon starlets,\tthat\the\twould\tone\tday\twear\tthe\twhite\tof\tReal\tMadrid. When\tthe\tplayers\tgot\toff\tthe\tteam\tcoach,\tJos\u00e9\tjumped\tup\tto\ttry\tto\tget\ta\tglimpse of\twhat\tthat\tboy\thad\tbecome. He\tdid\tnot\tmanage\tto\tsee\thim,\tyet\twas\tunable\tto\tremove\tthe\tmelancholic\tsmile from\this\tface\tas\the\twalked\tback\tto\tthe\thostel.","from\this\tface\tas\the\twalked\tback\tto\tthe\thostel. The\tChampions\tLeague\tfinal\twas\tplayed\ton\t24\tMay\t2014.\tReal\tMadrid\twere\tup against\tcity\trivals\tAtl\u00e9tico\tde\tMadrid. Xabi\tAlonso:\t\u2018For\thim,\tjust\tlike\tfor\tthe\trest\tof\tus,\tafter\tfive\tyears\tchasing\tLa D\u00e9cima,\thaving\tfallen\tagainst\tBar\u00e7a,\tDortmund\tand\tBayern,\tthe\tChampions League\thad\tbecome\ta\ttype\tof\tobsession.\tIt\twas\tthe\tmatch\tof\this\tlife,\tof\tall\tour lives.\u2019 Ronaldo\u2019s\tpatellar\ttendon\thad\tbeen\tplaying\tup\tbefore\tthe\tLisbon\tfinal.\tIn\tfact, the\tPortuguese\thad\tbeen\tunable\tto\tfree\thimself\tof\tthe\tniggle\tsince\tApril. Xabi\tAlonso:\t\u2018Cristiano\tmissed\tmany\tmatches\tknowing\tthat\twe\twere\tgoing\tto\tbe in\tthe\tfinal.\tHe\thad\tspecial\tpreparations\tin\torder\tto\tbe\tready.\u2019 The\tfinal\tcontained\tmore\temotion\tthan\tquality.\tIt\twas\ta\tgargantuan\tphysical\tand mental\teffort\tby\tboth\tsides\tin\ta\tderby\tthat\thad\tthe\tlot:\tDiego\tCosta\twent\toff injured\tafter\tnine\tminutes,\tboth\tteams\tsat\tdeep\tfor\tfear\tof\topposition\tcounter- attacks,\tCristiano\thad\ta\tminimal\tinfluence\ton\tthe\tfirst\thalf,\tDiego\tGod\u00edn\u2019s\tgoal in\tthe\tthirty-fifth\tminute\tseemed\tdecisive,\tthe\tPortuguese\thad\tthree\tunsuccessful efforts\ton\tgoal\taround\tthe\tfifty-five-minute\tmark,\tthe\tAtl\u00e9tico\ttroops\twere gradually\trunning\tout\tof\tsteam\t.\t.\t. And\tin\tthe\tninety-third\tminute,\tup\tpopped\tSergio\tRamos\tabove\teveryone\telse\tto head\thome\ta\tcorner\tand\tforce\textra-time. With\tpenalties\tjust\tten\tminutes\taway,\tCourtois\twas\tonly\table\tto\tparry\ta\tDi\tMar\u00eda shot\ttowards\tBale\twho\tput\tReal\tMadrid\tahead.\tMarcelo\u2019s\tgoal\tto\tallay\tany doubts\tfollowed\tsoon\tafter\tagainst\ta\tcrushed\tAtl\u00e9tico.\tGabi\tfelled\tCristiano\tfor\ta penalty\twhich\tthe\tPortuguese\ttucked\taway\tduring\tthe\tdying\tembers\tof\textra- time. The\tfinal\tscore\twas\t4\u20131. After\ttwelve\tyears\tof\tfrustration,\tReal\tMadrid\thad\twon\tLa\tD\u00e9cima.\tRonaldo once\tagain\ttasted\tChampions\tLeague\tglory\tsix\tyears\tafter\twinning\tit\tat Manchester\tUnited. He\tplayed\twithout\thaving\tmade\ta\tcomplete\trecovery\tfrom\tthe\tinjury\tthat","He\tplayed\twithout\thaving\tmade\ta\tcomplete\trecovery\tfrom\tthe\tinjury\tthat blighted\tthe\tfinal\tthree\tmonths\tof\this\tcampaign,\tbut\tincredibly\the\thad\tnotched seventeen\tChampions\tLeague\tgoals,\tbreaking\this\town\tprevious\trecord\tby\tone goal. \u2018I\tgot\tmy\tgoal,\u2019\the\ttold\tme\tin\tthe\tmixed\tzone\tat\tthe\tEst\u00e1dio\tda\tLuz,\tjust\tas\the had\tdone\tin\tevery\tother\tfinal\tfor\tReal\tMadrid:\ttwo\tin\teach\tof\tthe\tCopa\tdel\tRey and\tSpanish\tSuper\tCup. Xabi\tAlonso:\t\u2018Those\tof\tus\twho\u2019d\tbeen\there\tfor\ta\twhile\tknew\twhat\twe\thad\tpent up\tand\twhat\tLa\tD\u00e9cima\tmeant,\twe\u2019d\tbeen\tchasing\tit\tfor\tso\tlong\t.\t.\t.\tIt\u2019s\tas\tif you\u2019ve\tjust\tbeen\tpassing\tthrough\tif\tyou\thaven\u2019t\twon\tthe\tChampions\tLeague during\tyour\ttime\tat\tReal\tMadrid.\tPeople\tlike\tSergio\tRamos\twho\thadn\u2019t\twon\ta Champions\tLeague\tafter\tso\tmany\tyears\there,\tor\tCristiano,\tor\tKarim,\tor\tme!\tWe had\tgone\tthrough\tso\tmuch,\tso\tmany\tgood\tthings\tand\tbad\tthings,\ttoo.\tI\tthink everything\tis\treflected\tvery\twell\tin\tCris\tcelebration\tafter\tscoring\tthe\tgoal,\tisn\u2019t it?\tIt\twas\tlike\ta\tweight\toff\this\tshoulders.\u2019 Ah,\tthe\tcelebration. \u2018Now\the\tis\tseen\tas\ta\tpart\tof\tReal\tMadrid,\tbut\tstill\thas\tthe\todd\texcessive\ttouch\tof a\tprima\tdonna\tthat\tmight\tirritate\tthe\tmost\ttraditional\tonlookers.\tIn\tany\tcase,\tthey are\tless\tand\tless\tfrequent,\u2019\tAlfredo\tRela\u00f1o\tsummed\tup.\t\u2018Take\tthe\tfinal\tgoal\tin the\tEuropean\tCup\tfinal,\tfor\texample.\tHe\tgave\toff\ta\tmessage\tof,\t\u201cLook\tat\tme, I\u2019ve\tscored\ta\tgoal\tin\ta\tfinal.\u201d\tYet\tit\twas\tjust\ta\tpenalty\twhich\tis\tnothing\tto\twrite home\tabout.\u2019 Ronaldo,\twho\tpicked\tup\tthe\tball\tas\tsoon\tas\tthe\tofficial\tawarded\tthe\tspot-kick against\tGabi,\tsuccessfully\tconverted\tto\tmake\tit\t4\u20131\tbefore\trunning\ttowards\tthe corner\twhile\tripping\toff\this\tshirt.\tHe\tlet\tout\ta\troar\twith\this\tarms\toutstretched. In\tthat\tmoment\tonly\the\texisted\twith\this\taudience.\tHim\tand\this\tworld.\tHis\tteam- mates\tquickly\tarrived\tto\tmake\thim\tsnap\tout\tof\tthat\ttrance\tin\torder\tto\tshare\tthe glory,\tjumping\ttogether\tin\ta\thuddle. A\ttopless\tCristiano\tsuddenly\tseparated\thimself\tfrom\tthe\tgroup,\tturned\tto\tthe stands\twith\thands\ton\thips,\tlips\tforming\tan\tO\tshape\tand\ttensed\this\twhole\tbody like\ta\tproud\tbodybuilder.\tYou\tcould\ttake\tin\t(and\tadmire)\tevery\tmuscle\tin\this well-defined\tbody.","Ronaldo\twas\tvery\taware\tof\tthe\tsymbolism\tand\ticonic\trelevance\tof\tthe\tmoment. The\tgesture\tdid\tnot\tgo\tdown\twell\twith\tthe\tAtl\u00e9tico\tplayers;\tit\tincensed opposition\tsupporters\tand\tleft\ta\tsour\ttaste\tin\tneutrals\u2019\tmouths. Some\tpointed\tout\tthat\the\tdid\tnot\tcelebrate\tRamos\u2019s\tninety-fourth-minute\tgoal\tin the\tsame\tway.\tIn\tfact,\tafter\tthe\tlast-gasp\tequaliser,\tRonaldo\theaded\tback\tto\tthe centre-circle\twithout\tjoining\tthe\tgroup\tcelebrations.\tOnly\the\tand\tCasillas,\twho, in\this\tdefence,\thad\ta\tlong\tway\tto\tgo,\tdid\tnot\tpartake\tin\tthe\tfestivities. The\tHulk\/Ronaldo\twas\tthe\treal\tCristiano,\tothers\tsaid,\tnot\tthe\tlovely\tguy\twho had\tbeen\tcreated\tby\tGestiFute\tover\tthe\tprevious\ttwo\tyears.\tIt\twas\twritten\tthat the\tgesture\twas\tto\tbe\tincluded\tin\tthe\tdocumentary\tthat\the\twas\thaving\trecorded (incidentally\tit\tcame\tout\tin\tautumn\t2015\tas\ta\tnew\tattempt\tto\tcreate\tthe\t\u2018right\u2019 image). The\tAS\tdirector\tadded\tin\this\teditorial:\t\u2018I\tcouldn\u2019t\thelp\tbut\tnotice\tthe\tcontrast with\tthe\tmemory\tof\tCasillas\tat\tthe\tend\tof\tthe\tEuro\t2012\tfinal\twhen\tSpain\twere 4\u20130\tup\tagainst\tItaly\tand\the\ttold\tthe\tassistant\treferee\tto\tbring\tthe\tcontest\tto\ta merciful\tend.\u201936 Madeira\u2019s\tDi\u00e1rio\tde\tNot\u00edcias\twas\tunsure\twhich\tof\tthe\tfour\tstandout\toptions would\tmake\tfor\tthe\tbest\tfront\tcover.\tThe\tmajority\tof\tthe\tSpanish\tand\tPortuguese daily\tnewspapers\tchose\tthe\t\u2018Incredible\tHulk\u2019\tlook.\tIn\tMadeira,\tthey\teventually opted\tfor\ta\tphotograph\twith\tthe\ttrophy,\tbelieving\tthe\tother\tone\twas\tan\tunfair representation\tthat\twas\tunworthy\tof\tRonaldo\u2019s\tstory\tand\timage. Will\tthat\tpicture\tgo\tdown\tin\thistory\tabove\tmany\tother\tachievements?\tWill\tit\tbe the\tgesture\tthat\tdefines\thim? Let\u2019s\timagine\tthat,\tas\tRio\tFerdinand\tsaid,\tCristiano\t\u2018let\this\temotions\tget\tthe better\tof\thim\u2019,\tin\twhat\twas\ta\tcelebration\tof\tovercoming\tobstacles,\tas\tXabi Alonso\tstated.\tWatching\tthe\tvideo\tagain,\ta\tquestion\toccurred\tto\tme.\tCould\tit\tbe that\tCristiano\twas\tnot\tin\tlove\twith\tfootball,\tbut\twith\this\tbattle\tto\tbe\tthe\tbest? And\tis\tthat\twhy\the\tpreferred\tto\tcelebrate\this\tpenalty\twith\tmuch\tmore\tgusto\tthan the\tequaliser\tor\tsecond\tgoal,\tas\the\tconsidered\tit\ta\tmilestone\ton\this\tpersonal path?\tI\tconsulted\ta\tPortuguese\tpsychologist,\tSid\u00f3nio\tSerpa.\t\u2018I\tagree.\tFootball\tis a\ttool\tfor\tself-improvement.\tWhy\tfootball?\tBecause\tit\u2019s\twhat\twas\tclosest\tto\thim. If\this\tfather\thad\tworked\tat\ta\tswimming\tclub,\tmaybe\the\u2019d\tbe\ta\tworld\tchampion swimmer.\tThe\tdesire\tto\tbetter\tyourself\tand\tfight\tis\tintrinsic,\tfootball\tis","swimmer.\tThe\tdesire\tto\tbetter\tyourself\tand\tfight\tis\tintrinsic,\tfootball\tis circumstantial.\u2019 By\tthe\tway,\tRonaldo\tbought\teach\tof\this\tteam-mates\ta\tBulgari\tDiagono\tPRO watch\tmade\tin\tItaly\twith\tthe\tplayer\u2019s\tname\tand\tLa\tD\u00e9cima\tengraved\ton\tit. Estimated\tprice:\t\u20ac8,200. Their\taffection,\tpriceless. \u2018I\twas\tinjured\tin\tthe\tChampions\tLeague\tfinal,\tI\thad\tto\tsit\tit\tout\tfor\ttwo\tweeks before\tit\tbecause\tof\tthe\tpain\tI\thad.\tI\tcould\u2019ve\tasked\tmy\tnational\tcoach\tnot\tto call\tme\tup\tand\tgo\ton\tholiday;\tthat\twould\u2019ve\tbeen\tthe\teasy\toption\t.\t.\t.\tBut\tI prefer\tto\tface\tthings\thead\ton.\u2019 Cristiano\tRonaldo,\tJanuary\t2015,\ton\tthe\tFIFA\twebsite The\tReal\tMadrid\tmedical\tteam\tasked\thim\tto\ttake\tsome\ttime\toff,\tbut\the\twanted to\ttake\tthe\trisk.\tHis\tlimited\timpact\ton\tthe\tWorld\tCup\tin\tBrazil,\tone\tof\this\tfew big\tremaining\tchallenges,\twas\tvery\tsimple\tto\texplain:\the\twas\tnot\tfit\tto\tplay. After\tlosing\tagainst\tGermany\tand\tdrawing\twith\tthe\tUnited\tStates,\tPortugal\thad\ta chance\tto\tget\tthrough\tif\tthey\tbeat\tGhana\tin\tBrasilia\tand\tthe\tGermany\tv.\tUnited States\tresult\twent\tin\ttheir\tfavour. I\ttravelled\tto\tthe\tEst\u00e1dio\tNacional\tto\twatch\tthat\tmatch;\tRonaldo\tdid\tnot\ttry\tto beat\ta\tsingle\topponent\tduring\tthe\tfirst\tforty\tminutes.\tHere\tare\tmy\tnotes\tfrom that\tpoint\tonwards: 44\tmin:\tNani\ttries\ta\tshot\tfrom\tdistance\tthat\tflies\tover\tthe\tbar.\tRonaldo\thad\tgot into\tspace\tdown\tthe\twing.\tHe\tcrosses\this\tarms\tand\tturns\this\tback\ton\tNani, shaking\this\thead\tin\tdisapproval. Germany\tare\twinning\t1\u20130\tin\tthe\tother\tgame\tafter\ta\tM\u00fcller\tgoal.\tNow\tPortugal [who\twere\tdrawing\t1\u20131]\thave\tto\twin\tby\tfour\tgoals. Ronaldo\thas\ttaken\tup\tan\tattacking\tmidfielder\trole,\ta\tnumber\tnine,\tsecond striker,\talmost\tnever\tas\ta\twinger.\tAlmost\tnever\twith\tany\tvigour. 73\tmin:\tHe\truns\twith\tthe\tball,\the\tstops\tin\tthe\tarea\tlooking\tfor\ta\tpenalty.\tHis\tleft knee\thurts\thim,\the\tfalls\tto\tthe\tground.\tHe\tlimps.\tHe\tbends\tover.\tHe\tneeds\tfour minutes\tto\twalk\tnormally.","minutes\tto\twalk\tnormally. 77\tmin:\tDefender\tMensah\tputs\tan\tarm\taround\tRonaldo\u2019s\twaist\tand\the\taccepts the\tgesture\tof\tsupport. 78\tmin:\tHe\tgoes\ton\ta\trun\tto\tsave\ta\tball\tfrom\tgoing\tout\tand\tends\tup\tlimping again.\tHe\tis\tnot\tenjoying\tit.\tNow\the\tseems\tscared. 80\tmin:\tA\tpoorly\tdefended\tball\tin\tthe\tarea\tby\tgoalkeeper\tDauda\tsees\tthe\tball land\tat\tthe\tfeet\tof\tRonaldo\twho\tscores\twith\this\tleft\tfoot\tand\tdoes\tnot\tcelebrate. He\tis\tstill\tlimping. 84\tmin:\tRonaldo\tbends\tover\tand\ttells\this\tknee\tthat\u2019s\tenough\tand\tit\tshould behave.\tHe\tshouts\tat\tit. 87\tmin:\tHe\tcan\ttake\tno\tmore,\the\tbends\tover,\thands\ton\tknees.\tHe\tasks\tfor\twater, speaks\tto\tLeonel\tPontes\tand\tassistant\tPaulo\tBento\twhile\tGhana\tget\tready\tto\ttake a\tfree-kick.\tHands\ton\thips,\the\tshakes\this\thead\twhich\tis\tdripping\twith\twater.\tHe covers\this\tface.\tHe\tseems\tto\tbe\ton\tthe\tverge\tof\ttears.\tHe\twants\tit\tall\tto\tbe\tover. But\the\tstill\tgoes\ton\tanother\trun\tdown\tthe\tright\tand\tasks\tfor\tthe\tball\t.\t.\t.\tThe match\tcomes\tto\tan\tend.\tHe\tremoves\this\tcaptain\u2019s\tarmband. Portugal\thas\tjust\tbeen\tknocked\tout\tof\tthe\tgroup\tstage\tat\tthe\tWorld\tCup\tin Brazil. The\tGhana\tplayers\tcome\tover\tto\tgreet\thim.\tMichael\tEssien\thugs\thim.\tRonaldo puts\this\thead\ton\this\tformer\tReal\tMadrid\tteam-mate\u2019s\tshoulder. He\tturns\ttowards\tthe\tpitch.\tHe\tis\talone.\tHe\twalks\ttowards\tthe\tmiddle\tof\tthe\tfield of\tplay,\the\tjoins\tthe\trest\tof\tthe\tgroup.\tHe\tthanks\tthe\tofficials.\tHe\tis\tnow surrounded\tby\tplayers,\tbut\tseems\tlight\tyears\tahead\tof\this\tteam-mates. Ronaldo\tis\tnamed\tman\tof\tthe\tmatch\tand\tfans\trespond\tby\tbooing. In\tthe\tmixed\tzone,\the\tsaid,\t\u2018Portugal\twere\tnever\tfavourites\tand\tI\tnever\tthought we\tcould\tbe\tworld\tchampions.\tTo\tbe\thonest,\tall\tyou\tneeded\tto\tdo\twas\tlook\tat the\tdifficulties\twe\thad\tin\tthe\tplay-off\tagainst\tSweden\t.\t.\t.\tWe\thave\tto\tbe\thumble and\trealise\twe\taren\u2019t\tat\tthe\tsame\tlevel\tas\tthe\tbest.\u2019 And\the\tsaid\tthis\tto\tme,\ttoo:","And\the\tsaid\tthis\tto\tme,\ttoo: \u2018Yes,\twe\u2019ll\tspeak.\u2019 \u2018I\thave\ta\tyear\tto\twrite\tthe\tbook,\u2019\tI\texplained. \u2018OK,\tso\tthere\u2019s\ttime.\tDon\u2019t\tworry,\twe\u2019ll\tsee\teach\tother.\u2019 In\tthe\tend,\tit\twas\tnot\tpossible. Ronaldo\trested\tthat\tsummer\tand\thad\ttreatment\ton\this\ttroublesome\tknee.\tHe knew\tthat\the\thad\tpushed\this\tbody\tto\tits\tlimit.\t\u2018I\trisked\tmy\tfuture\tfor\tReal Madrid\tand\tmy\tnational\tteam,\u2019\the\twould\tlater\tadmit. The\tinjury,\tas\tindicated,\twas\tpatellar\ttendonitis,\tan\tinflammation\tof\tthe\tpatellar tendon\t\u2013\tthe\tone\tthat\teffectively\tended\tBrazilian\tRonaldo\u2019s\tcareer.\tIf\tnot\ttreated properly,\tit\tcan\tbecome\ta\tchronic\tcondition,\teven\trequiring\tsurgery\tin\t10\tper cent\tof\tcases.\tDespite\tthis,\tmost\tathletes\ttend\tto\tignore\tthe\tissue\tand\tkeep competing,\tthinking\tit\tis\tno\tbig\tdeal. The\tReal\tMadrid\tdoctors\tbelieved\tthat\tRonaldo\thad\thidden\this\tproblems\tin\torder not\tto\tmiss\tthe\tend\tof\tthe\tseason.\tAfter\tdiscovering\thow\tseverely\tthe\ttendon\twas inflamed,\tthey\thad\tasked\thim\tto\ttake\ta\tbreak,\tbut\tCristiano\tpaid\tno\theed\tto\ttheir advice\tand\tultimately\tlost\tfaith\tin\tthem.\tFor\tmonths\the\tplayed\tthrough\tthe\tpain, which\twas\tespecially\texcruciating\twhen\the\ttook\tshots.\tThe\textra\tstrain\tproduced calcification\tin\tthe\ttendon,\tin\tturn\ttriggering\ta\tchain\treaction\tthat\tcaused\tniggles in\tother\tmuscles. Cristiano\tand\tJorge\tMendes\tsought\tsolutions\toutside\tthe\tclub.\tThe\tstar\twas treated\tby\tDr\tNoronha,\ta\tfellow\tcountryman\tand\ta\tmember\tof\tMendes\u2019s\ttrusted circle;\tby\tDr\tMikel\tS\u00e1nchez,\twho\thad\thelped\tRonaldo\u2019s\tfriend,\tRafa\tNadal,\twith the\tsame\tinjury\tand\tis\tknown\tto\tuse\tstem-cell\tand\tplatelet-rich\ttherapies;\tand even\tby\tthen\tBayern\tMunich\tclub\tdoctor\tHans-Wilhelm\tMuller-Wohlfahrt.\tHe also\ttried\tout\tozone\ttherapy. For\tmonths\tRonaldo\twoke\tup\tin\tthe\tmorning\tin\tserious\tdiscomfort.\tBut,\tas\the admits,\the\t\u2018can\u2019t\tremember\ta\tpain-free\tday\u2019\tin\this\tcareer. As\twell\tas\tthe\t2013\tBallon\td\u2019Or,\tRonaldo\talso\tsubsequently\twon\tanother","As\twell\tas\tthe\t2013\tBallon\td\u2019Or,\tRonaldo\talso\tsubsequently\twon\tanother Pichichi\tand\tEuropean\tGolden\tShoe\tin\trecognition\tof\this\tgoalscoring\texploits.\tIn other\twords,\the\tscooped\ta\ttotal\tof\tsix\ttrophies\tand\tindividual\taccolades\tin\tfive months. On\ttheir\treturn\tfrom\tthe\tsummer\tholidays,\tReal\tMadrid\tlifted\tthe\tUEFA\tSuper Cup,\tbeating\tSevilla\t2\u20130.\tCristiano\tgot\tboth\tgoals\tand\twas\tnamed\tman\tof\tthe match. As\ta\tresult\tof\tthese\tconquests\tin\this\toutstanding\t2014,\the\twould\tbe\tnamed\tthe UEFA\tBest\tPlayer\tin\tEurope\tand,\tmonths\tlater,\twin\this\tsecond\tBallon\td\u2019Or\tin\ta row\tand\tthe\tthird\tof\this\tcareer. And\tyet\tthe\talarm\tsignals\this\tbody\twas\tsending\thim\tmade\tCristiano\tuneasy. The\t2014\u201315\tseason\twas\tCarlo\tAncelotti\u2019s\tsecond\tin\tcharge.\tAfter\tNuri\tSahin made\this\tmove\tback\tto\tBorussia\tDortmund\tpermanent\tand\t\u00c1lvaro\tMorata\tleft for\tJuventus,\tthey\twere\tfollowed\tout\tof\tthe\tdoor\tby\ttwo\theroes\tof\tReal\u2019s\tLa D\u00e9cima-winning\tcampaign:\tXabi\tAlonso,\twho\tjoined\tBayern\tMunich,\tand \u00c1ngel\tDi\tMar\u00eda,\twho\twent\tto\tManchester\tUnited. Toni\tKroos,\tKeylor\tNavas\tand\t\u2018Chicharito\u2019\tHern\u00e1ndez\tcame\tin,\tas\tdid Colombian\tstar\tJames\tRodr\u00edguez,\tfresh\tfrom\tfinishing\ttop\tscorer\tat\tthe\tWorld Cup. After\ta\tloss\tto\tReal\tSociedad\tbefore\tAugust\twas\tout,\tRonaldo\tvoiced\this disagreement\twith\tthe\ttransfers:\t\u2018If\tI\twere\tin\tcharge,\tperhaps\tI\twould\u2019ve\tdone things\tdifferently,\tbut\teveryone\thas\ttheir\topinion\tand\tis\tentitled\tto\tsay\twhat\tthey think.\u2019 A\tweek\tafter\twinning\tthe\tUEFA\tSuper\tCup,\the\thad\tto\tcome\toff\tat\tthe\tbreak\tin the\tfirst\tleg\tof\tthe\tSpanish\tSuper\tCup\tagainst\tAtl\u00e9tico\tde\tMadrid.\tHe\twas\tonly able\tto\tfeature\tin\tthe\tsecond\thalf\tof\tthe\treturn\tleg,\tin\twhich\tReal\tMadrid\u2019s\tlocal rivals\tclaimed\tthe\ttitle. Despite\tthe\ttreatment\the\thad\tundergone\tover\tthe\tsummer,\this\taches\tand\tpains would\tjust\tnot\tgo\taway. In\tDecember,\tthe\tteam\tlifted\tthe\tClub\tWorld\tCup\tin\tMorocco,\tbeating\tSan Lorenzo\tto\tsecure\tReal\tMadrid\u2019s\teighteenth\tinternational\ttrophy.\tThough\the\tdid not\tscore\tin\tthe\tcompetition,\tit\trepresented\tanother\tmilestone\tfor\tRonaldo:\tin","not\tscore\tin\tthe\tcompetition,\tit\trepresented\tanother\tmilestone\tfor\tRonaldo:\tin five\tyears\tat\tthe\tclub,\the\thad\tnow\twon\tevery\tpiece\tof\tsilverware\tgoing. This\twas\ta\tfitting\tending\tto\tan\textraordinary\t2014\tfor\tthe\tstar.\tNot\tonly\thad\tReal Madrid\twon\tfour\ttrophies\tout\tof\ta\tpossible\tsix\t(the\tCopa\tdel\tRey,\tChampions League,\tUEFA\tSuper\tCup\tand\tthe\tClub\tWorld\tCup),\tthe\tfirst\ttime\tthe\tclub\thad won\ta\tquadruple\tsince\tbeing\tfounded\t112\tyears\tearlier,\tbut\the\thad\tnetted\tsixty- one\tgoals\tin\tsixty\tappearances\tover\tthe\ttwelve\tmonths.\tOn\ttop\tof\tthat,\the\thad become\tthe\ttop\tscorer\tin\tEuropean\tChampionship\thistory\twith\ttwenty-three goals\tbetween\tqualifying\tand\ttournament\tmatches. The\tvictory\tover\tSan\tLorenzo\tin\tMorocco\twas\tthe\ttwenty-second\ton\tthe\tbounce for\ta\tteam\tthat\tlooked\tunstoppable. But\tthere\tis\tno\tsuch\tthing\tas\tunstoppable. Here\tare\ta\tfew\tcomments\tabout\tRonaldo\u2019s\tthird\tBallon\td\u2019Or,\treceived\ton\t12 January\t2015. As\tpreviously\tnoted,\tfor\tthe\tfirst\ttime\tin\tReal\tMadrid\u2019s\thistory\tthe\tclub\u2019s\tentire communication\toperation\twas\tgiven\tover\tto\tits\tstar\tplayer:\tin\tNovember,\ta statement\twas\tpublished\ton\tthe\tclub\u2019s\twebsite\targuing\twhy\tRonaldo\tdeserved the\taward\tand\tcriticising\tMichel\tPlatini\tfor\thaving\texpressed\ta\tpreference\tfor\ta German\tbeing\tawarded\tthe\tprize\ton\tthe\tstrength\tof\thaving\twon\tthe\tWorld\tCup. When\tLeo\tMessi\tturned\tup\ton\tthe\tred\tcarpet\tat\tthe\tKongresshaus\tin\tZurich, some\tfans\tchanted\t\u2018Ronaldo,\tRonaldo\u2019.\tThe\ttimes\tseemed\tto\tbe\tchanging. Before\tthe\tceremony,\tRonaldo\ttold\tLeo\tthat\this\tson\twas\ta\tbig\tfan,\tadmitting\tto the\tArgentinian,\t\u2018He\ttalks\tabout\tyou.\u2019\tThen,\tup\ton\tstage,\tlooking\tout\ttowards\this biggest\trival,\the\tblurted\tout\this\tdesire\tto\t\u2018catch\tMessi\u2019\tby\tmatching\this\tfour Ballons\td\u2019Or. That\troused\tLeo\tfrom\this\tlethargy.\t\u2018Is\tthat\tso?\u2019\the\tseemed\tto\tsay\tin\tthe following\tmonths.\t\u2018We\u2019ll\tsee\tabout\tthat.\u2019 Perhaps\tPlatini\u2019s\tcomments\twere\tat\tthe\troot\tof\tthe\troar\tRonaldo\tlet\tout\tat\tthe end\tof\this\tacceptance\tspeech,\tthat\t\u2018Siiiiiiii!\u2019,\twhich,\the\tsubsequently\texplained, was\tintended\tas\tan\taffectionate\tnod\tto\this\tteam-mates,\tamong\twhom\tit\thad","become\ta\tcelebratory\tritual.\tAt\tthe\tend\tof\tthe\tday,\tthough\tbasic\tand\tprimitive,\tit is\tthe\ttype\tof\tthing\tthat\tbonds\tpeople\ttogether\tbeyond\twords. The\torigins\tof\tthis\tcoded\tcry\tdate\tback\tto\tsummer\t2011.\tIt\twas\tfirst\theard\tin\tpre- season\tin\tLos\tAngeles\tand\tsince\tthen\thad\tbeen\tperformed\tregularly\tby individual\tplayers\tor\tgroups\tafter\tvictories\tin\ttraining\tmatches,\textraordinary pieces\tof\tskill\tand\tspecial\tgoals. Whatever\tthe\tcase\tmay\tbe,\tit\tcame\tacross\tas\ta\tgesture\tof\tdefiance\taimed\tat\tthe authorities\tand\this\tdoubters. And\tit\tseemed\tvery\tinappropriate. We\tonce\tagain\tgot\tthe\timpression\tthat,\twith\tno\tone\tsetting\tthe\tlimits\tfor\thim, Ronaldo\tbecomes\this\town\tjudge,\tjury\tand\texecutioner.\tWith\tall\tthat\tthis\timplies. For\tinstance,\twas\tthe\tstatue\tof\thim\tunveiled\tin\tMadeira\ta\tmonth\tearlier\treally necessary?\tDid\tno\tone\tsuggest\tto\thim\tthat\tsuch\tthings\tcould\twait? Irina\tShayk\twas\tconspicuous\tby\ther\tabsence.\tThe\texplanation\tgiven\twas\tthat\tshe was\tat\tthe\tbeach\tcelebrating\ther\tbirthday. That\tBallon\td\u2019Or\tcapped\ta\tone-and-a-half-year\tpurple\tpatch\tpaved\twith\tsuccess and\trecords. However,\tfor\tvarious\treasons,\tthe\tmistakes\twould\tstart\tto\tpile\tup\tagain. The\tteam\tand\tCristiano\thimself\tbegan\tto\trun\tout\tof\tsteam\tafter\tthe\tClub\tWorld Cup\ttriumph.\tPrior\tto\tthe\twinter\tbreak,\tthe\tPortuguese\thad\tscored\ttwenty-five goals\tin\tfour\tmonths\tof\tleague\taction,\tbut\tfrom\tJanuary\tto\tmid-May\the\tonly added\tanother\tseventeen.\tMessi\tbagged\tten\tmore\tgoals\tthan\thim\tin\tthat\tperiod. Ronaldo\u2019s\taim\twas\toff:\tonly\t40\tper\tcent\tof\this\tshots\twere\thitting\tthe\ttarget, compared\tto\t74\tper\tcent\tthe\tprevious\tyear. What\thad\tknocked\thim\toff\this\tstride? \u2018After\tdating\tfor\tfive\tyears,\tmy\trelationship\twith\tIrina\tShayk\thas\tcome\tto\tan end,\u2019\tRonaldo\tannounced\tin\ta\tstatement\ton\t20\tJanuary\t2015. The\tword\tfrom\tthe\tdressing\troom\twas\tthat\the\twas\t\u2018messed\tup\u2019\tfrom\tthe\tmoment Shayk\ttold\thim\tshe\tdid\tnot\twant\tto\tbe\twith\thim\tany\tmore.","Shayk\ttold\thim\tshe\tdid\tnot\twant\tto\tbe\twith\thim\tany\tmore. Although\tIrina\tmay\tnot\thave\tbeen\ta\tconventional\tgirlfriend,\tRonaldo\thad\tgot into\ta\troutine\twhich\tfulfilled\thim\tand\tconferred\tthe\taura\tof\tnormalcy\the\tneeded to\tgo\tabout\this\tdaily\tlife\ton\tautopilot.\tThey\tonly\tsaw\teach\tother\tsporadically; Cristiano\tspent\this\tholidays\twith\tfriends\tand\tin\tthe\tlast\tmonths\tbefore\tthey\twent their\tseparate\tways,\tthe\tmodel\thad\tbeen\tstaying\tat\ta\thotel\ton\tPaseo\tde\tla Castellana\twhenever\tshe\tcame\tto\tMadrid.\tSuddenly,\tthough,\tRonaldo\u2019s\tsmall, inner\tcircle\thad\tshrunk. Irina\u2019s\tmanager\tclaimed\tthat\tthe\tbreak-up\thad\tnothing\tto\tdo\twith\tDolores Aveiro.\tRumours\tremained\trife,\thowever:\tfor\texample,\tthat\tthe\tmodel\thad decided\tnot\tto\tgo\tto\tthe\tsurprise\tparty\tthe\tstar\thad\torganised\tfor\this\tmother\u2019s sixtieth\tbirthday;\tthat\tthe\tRussian\u2019s\trelationship\twith\tDolores\tand\tCristiano\u2019s sisters\twas\ttense;\tthat\tRonaldo\thad\tcheated\ton\ther,\twhich\thad\tdriven\ther\tto despair. \u2018I\tthink\ta\twoman\tfeels\tugly\twhen\tshe\u2019s\tgot\tthe\twrong\tman\tat\ther\tside.\tI\u2019ve\tfelt ugly\tand\tinsecure,\u2019\tIrina\twould\tsay\tmonths\tlater. In\tElma\tAveiro\u2019s\twords,\tmeanwhile,\tthe\tsplit\twas\t\u2018like\ta\tdeath\u2019\tfor\this\tbrother. During\ta\tgame\taway\tto\tC\u00f3rdoba,\ttwo\tweeks\tafter\tcollecting\tthe\tBallon\td\u2019Or,\tthe crowd\trattled\tthe\tPortuguese\twith\ta\tconstant\tstream\tof\tabuse\tand\timitations\tof the\tnow\tfamous\t\u2018Siiiiiiii\u2019. The\tdressing-room\tritual\thad\tboomeranged\tback\tat\thim. He\twas\teventually\tsent\toff\tafter\tkicking\tout\tat\tand\tslapping\tdefender\tEdimar. The\thome\tfans\tgloated\tby\tscreaming\tthe\t\u2018Siiiiiiii\u2019\tin\tunison,\twhich\tprovoked\tan irate\treaction\tfrom\tCristiano,\twho\t\u2018dusted\toff\u2019\tthe\tClub\tWorld\tCup\twinners\u2019 badge\ton\this\tshirt.\tHowever,\ton\tthe\tway\tback\tto\tMadrid,\the\tposted\tthe\tfollowing message\ton\tsocial\tmedia:\t\u2018I\tapologise\tto\teveryone,\tand\tespecially\tEdimar,\tfor my\tthoughtless\tactions.\u2019 To\tdate,\tRonaldo\thas\tbeen\tshown\tnine\tred\tcards\tin\this\tcareer,\tfive\tof\twhich\thave come\twith\tReal\tMadrid\t\u2013\tand,\tof\tthose\tnine,\tfive\tfollowed\tacts\tof\taggression towards\tan\topposition\tplayer. Cristiano\u2019s\thistrionics\tand\tunpleasant\tgestures\ttowards\this\tteam-mates\treturned,","Cristiano\u2019s\thistrionics\tand\tunpleasant\tgestures\ttowards\this\tteam-mates\treturned, unable\tat\ttimes\tof\tconfusion\tto\tquell\tthe\tfire\tin\this\tbelly,\ta\tmonster\tthat\thas accompanied\thim\tsince\tchildhood\tand\twhich\the\tcannot\talways\tseem\tto\tcontrol. His\tstate\tof\tuncertainty\thad\tplaced\tthe\t\u2018other\tRonaldo\u2019,\twho\thad\tnever\ttruly gone\taway,\tback\tin\tthe\tspotlight.\tHowever\tmuch\the\ttries\tto\thide\tit,\tthe\tplatform created\tby\ta\tdysfunctional\tchildhood\thas\tshaped\tand\twill\tcontinue\tto\tshape\this choices,\tand\tthough\the\tis\tlearning\tto\tcontain\tthis\tfactor,\tat\tmoments\tof\tweakness it\tre-emerges,\tas\tpersistent\tas\ta\tcold\tat\tthe\tend\tof\ta\ttough\tseason. Doubts\twere\tonce\tmore\tcast\tinternally\ton\this\tleadership.\tI\tnever\tfully\tbought\tthe worship\tof\tRonaldo\tin\tthe\tdressing\troom,\twhich\tseemed\tunwavering\twhen things\twere\tgoing\twell.\tHis\tinfluence\toff\tthe\tpitch\thad\tcertainly\tgrown,\tbut\tthere was\talways\ta\tquestion\tmark\tagainst\tit.\tHe\thas\tswung\ttowards\tand\tthen\taway from\this\tteam-mates,\tpendulum-like,\tat\tdifferent\tperiods.\tAs\tthe\tdefeats\tcame, so\tthe\ttension\tand\taccusations\t(\u2018Cristiano\tdoes\this\town\tthing\u2019\tand\t\u2018Ronaldo doesn\u2019t\trun\u2019\twere\tamong\tthe\tgripes\theard\tin\tthe\tgroup)\tflared\tup\tagain. \u2018I\tdon\u2019t\tsee\thim\tas\ta\tleader,\u2019\t\u00c1ngel\tDi\tMar\u00eda\ttold\tme,\ta\tcomment\tin\tno\tway intended\tas\ta\tcriticism.\t\u2018I\tthink\the\u2019s\tjust\tanother\tsquad\tmember,\tlike\teveryone else,\texcept\twe\tall\tknow\tthat\the\u2019s\tone\tof\tthe\tbest\tplayers\tin\tthe\tworld.\u2019\tThis\tis exactly\tthe\tview\tof\tRonaldo\tin\tthe\tdressing\troom. In\tany\tcase,\the\thad\tnot\tyet\thit\trock\tbottom\tfor\tthe\tseason.\tHe\twas\ttarnishing\tthe image\tthat\tGestiFute\thad\tso\tpainstakingly\tcrafted,\tand\this\tmaturity\twas\tdrawn into\tquestion,\tdespite\tevidence\tof\tprogress. In\tthe\tsecond\thalf\tof\tthe\tseason,\tReal\tMadrid\twould\tsuccumb\tto\tkey\tlosses\tby Valencia,\tAthletic\tBilbao\tand\tBarcelona,\twho\tleapfrogged\tthem\tat\tthe\ttop\tof\tthe table.\tThey\twere\talso\tdestroyed\t4\u20130\tby\tAtl\u00e9tico\ton\t7\tFebruary,\twith\tRonaldo failing\tto\tregister\ta\tsingle\tshot\ton\tgoal. After\tthat\tmatch,\tthe\tPortuguese\twas\tasked\tabout\twhat\thad\thappened\tin C\u00f3rdoba.\tThis\tmay\tor\tmay\tnot\thave\tbeen\ta\tprovocation,\tbut\teither\tway\tit\twas enough\tto\tbait\tRonaldo,\twho\twas\talready\tat\tboiling\tpoint.\t\u2018For\tfuck\u2019s\tsake!\tDo you\twant\tto\ttalk\tabout\ttoday\tor\tabout\tC\u00f3rdoba?\tThat\twas\tthree\tmonths\tago\tnow! An\tintelligent\tjournalist\twould\task\tme\tabout\ttoday,\tabout\tour\tpoor\tperformance, so\tyou\u2019re\tnot\tintelligent\tthen.\tSorry.\u2019","From\tthe\tCalder\u00f3n,\tthe\tstar\twent\tto\t#lafiestadeladeshonra\t(the\tparty\tof\tshame), as\tit\twas\tdubbed\ton\tTwitter,\twhere\tit\ttrended\tthroughout\tthe\tfollowing\tday. Ronaldo\thad\torganised\ta\tbig\tbash\tto\tcelebrate\this\tbirthday\tafter\tthe\tgame;\the had\tturned\tthirty\ttwo\tdays\tearlier,\tbut\thad\tnot\twanted\tanything\tto\tdistract\tfrom the\tderby\tpreparations.\tHe\thad\tinvited\t150\tpeople\tfrom\tall\tover\tthe\tworld\tto\tIn Zalaca\u00edn,\tan\texclusive\tvenue\the\thad\tbooked\ttwo\tmonths\tpreviously.\tThe\tentire Real\tMadrid\tsquad\twere\ton\tthe\tguest\tlist,\tbut\tfew\tof\tthem\tattended.\tA\ttacit\tcode of\tconduct\tmade\tit\timpossible\tfor\tthem\tto\tgo\tto\ta\tparty\tafter\ta\tmajor\tdefeat\tin the\tMadrid\tderby. Some\twere\tfearful\tof\ta\tbacklash\tfrom\tthe\tfans\tif\tword\tgot\tout,\twhile\tsome\thad other\tengagements:\tIker\tCasillas\twent\tto\this\twife\u2019s\tbirthday\tparty\tand\tFlorentino went\tto\tthat\tof\tboard\tmember\tNicol\u00e1s\tMart\u00edn\tSanz. The\tmusical\tentertainment\tat\tIn\tZalaca\u00edn\twas\tprovided\tby\tColombian\tsinger Kevin\tRold\u00e1n,\twho\tmade\tthe\t\u2018mistake\u2019\tof\tposting\tphotos\tof\tthe\tevent\ton\tsocial media,\tincluding\tsome\tfeaturing\tRonaldo\tlooking\textremely\tmerry\tand\twearing a\ttop\that.\tA\tvideo\talso\tdid\tthe\trounds\tof\tthe\tPortuguese\tsinging\tup\ton\tstage alongside\tRold\u00e1n,\tdrink\tin\thand. The\tpublic\treaction\tverged\ton\thysteria,\twhile\tthe\tresponse\twithin\tthe\tclub\twas\tas expected:\tCristiano\u2019s\tbehaviour\twas\tcondemned.\tJorge\tMendes\twent\ton\tthe radio\tto\tdefend\this\tclient:\t\u2018People\tspent\tthe\tfirst\ttwo\thours\tcheering\thim\tup [because\tof\tthe\tdefeat].\u2019 Yeah,\tright. Ten\tdays\tlater,\tafter\ta\trollercoaster\tencounter\tagainst\tSchalke\t04,\the\tannounced: \u2018I\u2019m\tnot\tgoing\tto\tspeak\tagain\tuntil\tthe\tend\tof\tthe\tseason.\u2019\tHe\tseemed\tmore bothered\tby\thaving\tbeen\t\u2018caught\u2019\t(he\twas\tlivid\twith\tRold\u00e1n)\tthan\tby\this\town decision\tnot\tto\tcancel\tthe\tparty. The\tevents\tof\tthat\tmatch\tagainst\tthe\tGermans,\tthe\tChampions\tLeague\tlast- sixteen\tsecond\tleg,\taptly\treflected\tthe\tmood\tof\tthe\tsquad\tand\tRonaldo\talike. Cristiano\tscored\ttwo\tvital\tgoals,\tbut\this\tconstant\tdialogue\twith\tthe\tcrowd revealed\tthe\tfrayed\tnerves\ton\tshow. It\tshould\thave\tbeen\ta\tstraightforward\tenough\tgame\tfollowing\tthe\t2\u20130\twin\tin\tthe first\tleg,\tbut\tthe\tmidfield\twas\tunable\tto\tdictate\tproceedings\tand\tSchalke\ttook\tthe","first\tleg,\tbut\tthe\tmidfield\twas\tunable\tto\tdictate\tproceedings\tand\tSchalke\ttook\tthe lead\tafter\tnineteen\tminutes.\tThe\tfrontmen\twere\tdoing\tnothing\tin\tdefence\tand Arbeloa\thad\ta\tgo\tat\tthe\tPortuguese\twho,\tagitated,\tgot\tinto\tan\targument\twith Gareth\tBale. Ronaldo\tequalised,\tbut\tcelebrated\tby\traising\this\tarm\tfuriously\tas\tif\tchiding\tthe crowd,\twho\tduly\terupted\tand\tbegan\tjeering\thim.\tWhen\the\tlater\tmade\tit\t2\u20132,\the went\tback\tto\ta\tmore\ttraditional\tcelebration,\tjumping\twith\this\tarms\toutstretched and\tpointing\tto\tthe\tground,\tbut\tsomething\twas\tclearly\tstill\teating\taway\tat\thim. Real\tMadrid\tthrew\taway\ta\t3\u20132\tlead\tto\tgo\t4\u20133\tdown\tand\tthe\tfans\trailed\tagainst the\tshambolic\tdisplay.\tJust\tbefore\tthe\tend,\tCristiano\tcould\tbe\tseen\tmouthing, \u2018What\ta\tdisgrace,\twhat\ta\tdisgrace\u2019\twhile\tstaring\tinto\tspace.\tWhen\tCasillas forced\thim\tto\tstand\tin\tthe\tcentre\tcircle\tand\tendure\tthe\tsupporters\u2019\twrath following\tthe\tdefeat,\this\tface\tbetrayed\ta\tthousand\tdifferent\temotions,\tnone\tof them\tpleasant. A\tfew\tdays\tlater,\twith\tten\tminutes\tto\tgo\tin\ta\tleague\tclash\twith\tLevante,\tthe\tfans once\tagain\tbooed\tthe\tteam.\tRonaldo\tresponded\tby\tglaring\tat\tthe\tcrowd\tdefiantly and\tcrying\tout\t\u2018Foda-se\u2019\t(\u2018Fucking\thell\u2019\tin\tthis\tcontext)\twhile\tshaking\this\thead. This\ttime,\tdespite\tthe\tpleadings\tof\tAncelotti\u2019s\tassistant,\tFernando\tHierro,\the\tdid not\tstick\taround\ton\tthe\tpitch\tafter\tthe\tfinal\twhistle. The\tChampions\tLeague\tsemi-finals\tpitted\tReal\tMadrid\tagainst\tJuventus,\twho were\tconsidered\tthe\tweakest\tof\ttheir\tpotential\topponents. At\thalf-time\tin\tthe\tfirst\tleg\tin\tTurin,\twith\tthe\tteams\tdrawing\t1\u20131,\tSergio\tRamos had\ta\tgo\tat\tCristiano\t\u2013\twho\thad\tscored\t\u2013\tfor\tfailing\tto\ttrack\tAndrea\tPirlo,\tas\the and\tBale\thad\tbeen\tinstructed\tto\tdo\t(the\tWelshman\twas\tdoing\this\tbit).\tAfter being\ttold\tthat\the\tcouldn\u2019t\tjust\tscore\this\tgoal\tand\tforget\tabout\tthe\trest,\tRonaldo stormed\tout\tof\tthe\tdressing\troom\tand\tdecided\tto\twait\tin\tthe\ttunnel\tuntil\tthe restart.\tLos\tBlancos\tended\tup\tlosing\t2\u20131. Ronaldo\thit\tthe\tnet\tagain\tin\tthe\tsecond\tleg,\tthis\ttime\twith\ta\tpenalty,\tbut\tthe\tfinal scoreline\tof\t1\u20131\tmeant\tthe\tItalians\twent\tthrough\tto\tface\tBar\u00e7a\tin\tthe\tfinal\tin Berlin. A\tdistraught\tRonaldo\trushed\tto\tthe\tdressing\troom\tand,\talone,\tburst\tinto\ttears.","Over\tthe\tcourse\tof\tthe\t2014\u201315\tseason,\tRonaldo\tnotched\tseven\that-tricks\tand\ta total\tof\tsixty-one\tgoals\tin\tfifty-four\tmatches,\tbeating\this\tpersonal\tbest\tby\ta single\tstrike.\tHe\twas\tcrowned\tLa\tLiga\u2019s\ttop\tscorer\tfor\tthe\tsecond\tconsecutive year\tand\treceived\tthe\tEuropean\tGolden\tShoe\tfor\ta\tfourth\ttime,\tdespite\this\tstrike rate\tdropping\tto\t0.85\tgoals\ta\tgame\tin\t2015\tfrom\t1.28\tin\tthe\tfirst\thalf\tof\tthe season.\tHe\talso\tfinished\tas\tthe\tChampions\tLeague\u2019s\tleading\tmarksman\tfor\tthe fourth\ttime,\twith\tten\tgoals,\twhich\tleft\thim\tand\tMessi\tlevel\tas\tthe\tcompetition\u2019s all-time\ttop\tscorers\ton\tseventy-seven\tgoals. His\tstatus\tas\ta\tlegendary\tgoalscorer\twas\tin\tno\tdoubt. Meanwhile,\tCarlo\tAncelotti\tsuspected\tthat\this\tdays\tat\tthe\tBernab\u00e9u\twere numbered\tafter\tthe\tdebacle\tthat\thad\tseen\tReal\tMadrid\tconclude\tthe\tcampaign empty-handed\texcept\tfor\tthe\ttwo\ttrophies\tclinched\tbefore\tChristmas\t(the\tUEFA Super\tCup\tand\tClub\tWorld\tCup). Ronaldo,\tnone\ttoo\timpressed\tby\twhat\the\tsaw\tas\tthe\tclub\u2019s\tirrational\tdecisions, wanted\tthe\tItalian\tto\tstay,\tas\tdid\tseveral\tof\tthe\tother\tdressing-room heavyweights.\tHe\tmade\this\tfeelings\tplain\twith\tan\tInstagram\tpost:\t\u2018Great\tcoach and\tamazing\tperson.\tHope\twe\twork\ttogether\tnext\tseason.\u2019 Talk\tabout\ta\tparadox:\tthe\tclub\u2019s\tflagship\tplayer\twas\tpublicly\tbacking\tthe\tcoach who\twas\tabout\tto\twalk\tthe\tplank. By\tnow\tCristiano\tharboured\treal\tdoubts\tabout\tthe\tpath\tchosen\tby\tFlorentino, who\tcontinued\tto\tget\trid\tof\tfigures\twho\thad\thelped\tthe\tteam\tto\tsucceed.\tHe could\tnot\tsee\twhy\tIker\tCasillas\twas\tbeing\tforced\tout\t\u2013\tincluding\tthrough\ta smear\tcampaign\tthat\teven\tthe\tgoalkeeper\u2019s\tfamily\tattributed\tto\tthe\tclub\u2019s\ttop brass\t\u2013\tand\twhy\tSergio\tRamos,\twho\ttoyed\twith\tthe\tidea\tof\tsigning\tfor Manchester\tUnited,\thad\tnot\tbeen\ttied\tdown\tto\ta\tnew\tcontract\ta\tlong\ttime\tago. All\tthis\tdespite\tthe\tfact\tthat\the\thad\tonce\tmore\thad\this\tdifferences\twith\tboth\tmen. On\tone\toccasion\tthe\tcentre-back\tsaid\tto\tRonaldo,\t\u2018You\twant\tto\tbe\tthe\tbest\tin\tthe world,\tbut\twhy\tcan\u2019t\tit\tbe\tme?!\u2019\tquestioning,\twithout\ta\thint\tof\tirony,\tthe\tneed\tto afford\tthe\tPortuguese\tspecial\ttreatment.\tOnce\tagain,\tthough,\tthey\tseemed\tto\tbe on\tgood\tterms\tin\tthe\tsummer\tof\t2015. Cristiano\trealised\tnobody\twas\tsafe\tif\tthat\twas\tthe\tway\tplayers\twho\thad\tspent sixteen\tand\tten\tyears\trespectively\tat\tthe\tclub\twere\ttreated.","sixteen\tand\tten\tyears\trespectively\tat\tthe\tclub\twere\ttreated. The\tincredible\tindividual\tstatistics\tRonaldo\thad\tput\ttogether\tover\this\tsix\tyears\tat the\tclub\thad\tnot\ttranslated\tinto\ttrophies.\tA\thaul\tof\t313\tgoals\tin\t300\tappearances as\tof\tsummer\t2015,\tgiving\thim\tthe\tbest\tstrike\trate\tof\tthe\tclub\u2019s\tleading\tscorers, had\tonly\tyielded\tone\tLa\tLiga\tand\tChampions\tLeague\ttitle\tapiece\t\u2013\tnot\teven\tthe addition\tof\tthe\ttwo\tSpanish\tCups\tand\tthe\tClub\tWorld\tCup\twould\tbring\tthis honours\tlist\tup\tto\tscratch. Like\ta\trecurring\tnightmare,\ta\tsense\tof\tnot\tbeing\tbacked\tup\twas\tsetting\tin\tagain. Ronaldo\tsent\tmessages\tto\ta\tformer\tteam-mate\tasking\tif\the\twould\tbe\tcoming back\tto\tReal\tMadrid.\tMore\tthan\tanything,\tthis\twas\ta\tsign\tof\tfrustration,\tafter witnessing\tthe\texits\tof\tplayers\tlike\t\u00d6zil,\tDi\tMar\u00eda\tand\tXabi\tAlonso\t\u2013\twho provided\thim\twith\tassists\tand\twould\thave\tmaintained\tthe\tstatus\tquo\tthat Cristiano\tstood\tfor,\twith\thimself\tas\tthe\tcentrepiece. He\tbroke\this\tself-imposed\tmedia\tblackout\twith\ta\tvideo\tposted\ton\tsocial networks\ton\t5\tJune\tfeaturing\ta\tclear\tmessage:\t\u2018Leave\tme\talone.\u2019 It\twas\tthe\tsame\tstory\tas\ttwo\tyears\tearlier.\tIf\tthings\tdid\tnot\tturn\tout\tthe\tway\the thought\tthey\tshould,\the\tcould\tnot\tprevent\tan\temotional\tstorm\tfrom\tbrewing. Something\twas\tclearly\tamiss. Might\tthe\tproblem\tbe\thim?\tCould\tit\tbe\tthat\the\tcould\tnever\tbe\tfully\thappy because\the\thad\tpicked\ta\tsport\tin\twhich\the\thad\tto\tsuppress\this\tego?\tOr\tthat\the was\treaching\ta\tpoint\tat\twhich\this\tpresence\thindered\this\tteam,\twith\this\tobsession with\tgoals\tbecoming\tdetrimental\tto\tthe\tcollective\tendeavour?\tHad\this\tteam begun\tto\tmiss\thim\tat\tkey\tmoments\tof\tmatches?\tHad\the\tstarted\tto\tbecome\tless influential? He\twas\tplaying\tlike\ta\tnumber\tnine,\ttouching\tthe\tball\tless\toften,\tcloser\tto\tthe opposition\tgoal\tand\tat\tthe\tend\tof\tcrosses\tmore\tthan\tever,\tbut\tstill\tnot\tperforming his\tdefensive\tduties\toften\tenough.\tWas\tthat\timbalance\tsomehow\tmaking\tthe team\tless\tcompetitive\tin\tthe\timportant\tmatches\tof\tthe\tseason? The\tepilogue\tto\tthis\tbook\tseeks\tto\tanswer\tthese\tquestions\tfrom\ta\tstatistical\tpoint of\tview,\tbut\tex-Liverpool\tmanager\tBrendan\tRodgers,\tfor\tone,\tbelieved\tthat Ronaldo\twas\tthe\tworld\u2019s\ttop\thitman,\ttelling\tMario\tBalotelli\tas\tmuch\tand\ttrying to\tteach\thim\tthe\tart\tof\tbeing\ta\tmodern\tcentre-forward\twith\ta\ttwenty-minute video\tof\tCristiano\tin\taction.\tThese\tclips\tshow\ta\tplayer\twho\tdoes\tnot\tneed\ttime","video\tof\tCristiano\tin\taction.\tThese\tclips\tshow\ta\tplayer\twho\tdoes\tnot\tneed\ttime on\tthe\tball,\twho\toutpaces\tall\tdefenders\tin\this\tpath,\twho\tghosts\tinto\tthe\tarea unmarked\tand\teasily\tfinds\tspace\tin\twhat\tRodgers\tcalls\tthe\t\u2018goal\tzones\u2019. Jorge\tValdano\u2019s\tview\ton\tthis\tchange\tof\tstyle,\twhich\ttentatively\tbegan\twhen Ancelotti\tarrived,\tis\tpositive:\t\u2018It\u2019s\tnormal\tin\tfootball\tthat\twith\tage\tone\thas\tto drop\tdeeper\tand\tdeeper.\tRonaldo\tis\texceptional\tin\tall\trespects,\teven\tthis.\u2019 And\tyet\tthe\tquestion\tin\tsummer\t2015\twas\twhether\tthe\t\u2018new\tRonaldo\u2019\twas\tan evolution\tprompted\tby\ta\tbody\ton\tthe\twane,\tthe\tupshot\tof\tthe\ttype\tof\tsignings Real\tMadrid\twere\tmaking\t(a\tlot\tof\tattack-minded\tplayers\tand\tnot\tmany defensive\tmidfielders)\tor\ta\tmove\tthat\twas\talways\tdestined\tto\thappen\tin\tthe twilight\tof\this\tcareer. Only\tafter\tdigging\tdeep\tin\torder\tto\tunderstand\tthe\tneeds\tof\ta\tplayer\tnow\tin\this thirties\tcould\teveryone\tconcerned\t(the\tclub,\tnew\tcoach\tRafa\tBen\u00edtez,\this\tteam- mates\tand\tRonaldo\thimself)\tlook\tahead\tto\tthe\tnew\tseason. For\texample,\twhat\twas\this\trelationship\twith\tGareth\tBale\tlike? During\tthe\tWelshman\u2019s\tfirst\tseason,\tReal\tMadrid\twere\tlosing\tto\tSevilla\tat\tthe S\u00e1nchez\tPizju\u00e1n\tand\twere\tawarded\ta\tlate\tfree-kick\tin\ta\tdangerous\tarea.\tThis gave\trise\tto\tone\tof\tthose\tmoments\tof\tsubtle\tgestures\tand\trevelatory\tglances whose\toutcome\taffects\tthe\tentire\tbalance\tof\ta\tteam. Ronaldo\tset\tthe\tball\tdown\tbut,\twhile\the\twas\tgearing\thimself\tup,\tBale\twalked over\tand\tasked\tpermission\tto\ttake\tit.\tThe\tPortuguese,\twho\twould\tend\tthe\tseason with\tfive\tgoals\tfrom\tdirect\tfree-kicks,\tgave\ta\t\u2018whatever\tyou\twant\u2019\twhich\tseemed to\tmean\tanything\tbut.\tBale\tdid\tnot\tneed\ta\tsecond\tinvitation\tand\ttrained\this\teyes on\tthe\topposition\tgoal.\tCristiano\ttwice\ttried\tto\tmake\thim\tchange\this\tmind,\teven looking\tover\tto\tthe\tdugout\tfor\tsupport,\tbut\tAncelotti\tleft\tthem\tto\tsort\tit\tout among\tthemselves.\tThe\tPortuguese\tprotested\tabout\tthe\twall\tmoving\tas\tBale\tran up\tto\tunleash\this\tstrike,\twhich\tsailed\tjust\tover\tthe\tbar. Cristiano\tturned\ttowards\tthe\tbench\tagain,\tpulling\tfaces\tand\tgesticulating\twildly. The\tnext\tseason,\t2014\u201315,\tBale\ttook\ta\tfew\tmore\tfree-kicks,\tespecially\tfrom\tthe edge\tof\tthe\tarea\ton\tthe\tright-hand\tside\t(the\tgoalkeeper\u2019s\tleft),\tbut\tnot\ttoo\tmany\t\u2013 even\tthough\tthe\tnumbers\tbacked\tthe\tWelshman\u2019s\tcase.\tThe\tPortuguese\thad infamously\tbecome\tone\tof\tthe\tworst\tfree-kick\ttakers\tin\tLa\tLiga,\tfailing\tto\tscore","infamously\tbecome\tone\tof\tthe\tworst\tfree-kick\ttakers\tin\tLa\tLiga,\tfailing\tto\tscore one\tin\ta\tyear\tand\tmissing\tfifty-six\tconsecutive\tattempts\t(41\tper\tcent\tof\tthese\thit the\twall). The\tChampions\tLeague\tsemi-final\tfirst\tleg\tagainst\tJuventus\tin\tTurin\toffered\tup some\tintriguing\tstatistical\tevidence\tof\tan\timbalance.\tIn\tthe\tfirst\thalf,\tBale touched\tthe\tball\tjust\tfourteen\ttimes\tin\tthe\tfirst\thalf\t(only\tCasillas\tgot\tfewer touches),\tcompleted\ta\tmere\teighteen\tpasses\t(fewer\tthan\tanyone\telse)\tand\tdid\tnot have\ta\tshot\ton\tgoal. This\twas\tnot\tnormal,\tbut\tit\treflected\tthe\tWelshman\u2019s\tlack\tof\tclout\tin\tthe\tsquad. He\thad\tnot\tkicked\ton\tin\this\tsecond\tseason\tafter\ta\tfirst\tthat\tcould\tbe\tconsidered successful,\thaving\tmade\this\tpresence\tfelt\tby\tscoring\tin\tthe\tcup\tand\tChampions League\tfinals\tagainst\tBarcelona\tand\tAtl\u00e9tico,\trespectively. Bale\twas\tstruggling\tto\tintegrate:\the\tdid\tnot\tspeak\tSpanish\tand\tonly\thad\tone good\tfriend\tin\tthe\tsquad,\tLuka\tModri\u0107.\tEfforts\twere\tmade\tto\tbring\thim\ttogether with\tother\tpeople\t(particularly\tToni\tKroos\tand\this\tpartner),\tbut\tGareth\tand\this wife,\twho\tare\tboth\textremely\tshy,\tpreferred\tto\tstay\tat\thome. The\tpressure\tto\tbe\tthe\tteam\u2019s\tnext\tbig\tstar\tdiscomfited\tthe\tWelshman\tbecause\tit did\tnot\tseem\tto\ttranslate\tinto\tfreedom\ton\tthe\tpitch:\the\thad\tnot\tbeen\tsigned\tto\tbe a\twinger\twith\tmajor\tdefensive\tobligations.\tHowever,\tAncelotti\tdid\tnot\tbelieve that\tthe\tteam\tcould\tcarry\ttwo\tRonaldos,\ttwo\tplayers\twho\twere\tinfluential\ton\tthe ball,\tbut\tunwilling\tto\tgraft\ttoo\tmuch\toff\tit. Bale\thad\tbeen\tgiven\ta\tlesser\tpart\tas\tRonaldo\u2019s\tsidekick\t\u2013\toperating\tas\ta\twide man\twith\ta\tfocus\ton\tmaking\truns\tinto\tthe\tbox\t\u2013\tand\the\tdid\tnot\tenjoy\tit.\tAs\ta result,\the\tmade\twrong\tdecisions.\tAnd\tmaking\twrong\tdecisions\tmeant\tthat\the could\tnot\tearn\thimself\ta\tmore\timportant\trole\t(for\texample,\tas\ta\tplaymaker).\tIt was\ta\tcatch-22\tsituation. But\tin\tsummer\t2015\the\twould\trebel.\tIn\ta\tmanner\tof\tspeaking. Ronaldo,\tmeanwhile,\thad\tnot\thelped\tBale\tto\tdevelop.\tHe\tand\tthe\tWelshman\tdid not\tget\talong;\tthere\twas\tno\tchemistry\tbetween\tthem.\tCristiano\thad\tspent\tthe whole\tseason\tfighting\tto\tprotect\this\tterritory.\tAlthough\this\tinfluence\ton\tthe game\t\u2013\tif\tnot\tin\tfront\tof\tgoal\t\u2013\thad\tdeclined,\the\thad\tmore\tallies\tthan\tBale, whom\tonly\tModri\u0107\tsought\tout\twith\tany\tregularity. There\tare\ttwo\ttypes\tof\tleaders:\tthose\twho\tsit\tyou\ton\ttheir\tlaps\tand\tlook\tafter","There\tare\ttwo\ttypes\tof\tleaders:\tthose\twho\tsit\tyou\ton\ttheir\tlaps\tand\tlook\tafter you,\tand\tthose\twho\ttrample\ton\tyou.\tRonaldo\thad\tno\tintention\tof\thanding\tthe mantle\tto\tBale. \u2018No\tplayer\tgets\tbetter\talongside\thim,\u2019\tstated\tthe\tMexican\twriter\tJuan\tVilloro\tin an\tarticle\tfor\tColombian\tmagazine\tSoho,\tone\tof\tthe\tmost\tvicious\thatchet\tjobs\ton Ronaldo\tever\twritten.\t\u2018Supremely\tegotistical,\tthe\tnotion\tof\ta\tpartnership\tis beyond\thim\t.\t.\t.\tThe\tpariahs\t[sic]\twho\tconquered\tthis\tearth\tgo\tby\tthe\tnames\tof Maradona,\tDi\tSt\u00e9fano,\tPusk\u00e1s,\tCruyff\tand\tPel\u00e9\t.\t.\t.\tNone\tof\tthese\tvirtuosos depended\ton\ttheir\tstrength\tor\tspeed\tand\tthey\tall\tmade\ttheir\tteam-mates\tbetter .\t.\t.\tThough\tthere\tis\troom\tfor\tmagic\tin\this\ttrade,\tCristiano\tRonaldo\tis\tbut\tanother footballer.\u201937 Nevertheless,\tthe\tfact\tof\tthe\tmatter\tis\tthat\tthe\trest\tof\tthe\tsquad\thad\ta\thard\ttime accepting\tthe\tWelshman\tas\tRonaldo\u2019s\tsuccessor\tas\tclub\ticon,\tas\tFlorentino P\u00e9rez\thad\tearmarked\thim\tto\tbe.\tThey\tdid\tnot\tbelieve\tthat\the\thad\tthe\tfootballing understanding\tto\twarrant\tsuch\ta\tstatus. And\tyet\twhen\tthe\tWelshman\tplayed\tfor\this\tcountry\the\twas\ta\tdifferent proposition:\the\thad\tan\textra\tyard\tof\tpace\tand\tmore\tenergy,\twas\talways\tat\tthe heart\tof\teverything,\tand\thad\tfreedom\tto\troam\taround\twhile\tremaining\ta\tteam player.\tHe\tknew\the\twas\tthe\tleader,\thad\tno\ttactical\tconstraints\tand\talways\tpicked the\tright\toption,\twhether\tthat\twas\tto\tpass,\tdribble,\tshoot\tor\tmake\ta\trun. Having\tbeen\tmade\taware\tof\tinterest\tfrom\tManchester\tUnited,\tBale\twas convinced\tby\this\trepresentatives\tthat\tthey\thad\tto\tpress\this\tcase\tto\tFlorentino P\u00e9rez\tthat\tsummer\tof\t2015,\tand\talso\tthat\the\thad\tto\tgive\thimself\tand\tReal\tMadrid one\tlast\tchance. Once\tthe\tseason\twas\tover,\tthe\tReal\tMadrid\tpresident\tmet\twith\tJorge\tMendes who,\tmindful\tof\tthe\tprecarious\tharmony\tin\tthe\tdressing\troom,\twanted\tto\tconfirm that\tRonaldo\tremained\tcentral\tto\tthe\tclub\u2019s\tplans.\t\u2018That\u2019s\tright,\u2019\the\twas\ttold. A\tweek\tlater,\tBale\u2019s\tagent,\tJonathan\tBarnett,\tsat\tdown\twith\tthe\tclub. The\tmessage\the\twanted\tto\tsend\twas\tclear.\tIf\tit\twas\ttrue\tthat\tBale\thad\tbeen brought\tin\tas\ta\tforward,\tthen\the\thad\tto\tbe\tplayed\tthere.\tThe\tteam\twere\tnot\tusing his\tstrengths,\twhich\twere\twhat\thad\tled\tReal\tMadrid\tto\tsign\thim\tin\tthe\tfirst place.\tWhat\tabout\tplaying\thim\tas\ta\tnumber\tten,\tfor\texample,\twith\tRonaldo perhaps\tas\ta\tnumber\tnine?"]
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