We Are Becoming Weary Of Cristiano Ronaldo’s Constant Need For Attention

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According to one of Cristiano Ronaldo’s childhood teammates, Ricardo Santos, in the Real Madrid striker’s younger days he was often referred to as ‘cry baby.’

Essentially, the moniker was bestowed upon him because, if he didn’t get his own way, he would create a scene more befitting of a toddler during the ‘terrible twos’ stage.

After another similar episode at the beginning of this summer, there’s every reason to think that it’s a side of his personality that he can’t quite rid himself of.

Yes, it’s probably that ultra-competitive edge that has propelled him to the pinnacle of the game but the question that must be asked is why such posturing is necessary as a 32-year-old, especially away from on-pitch matters?

One of the richest footballers to have ever played the game and certainly the most successful in terms of brand recognition, social media and the like, what purpose does it serve to periodically throw your toys out of the pram?

Whether real or imagined, when his persona is measured against his nemesis, Lionel Messi, it’s often said that the Argentinian is the ‘nice guy’ opposite Ronaldo’s ‘pantomime villain.’

A constant need for attention appears of paramount importance.

From the overt histrionics if officials don’t award him decisions to a completely over the top ‘siiiiiuuuu’ celebration when receiving the Ballon d’Or, such moments have taken focus away from just want a fantastic football player he is.

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Absolutely deserving of sitting at the same table as Messi, Zidane, Pele, Maradona and Cruyff et al, one can’t help but think that his memory will somehow be tainted in much the same way as El Diego’s has been.

Jose Mourinho has publicly noted that Manchester United were never in the market for a player whom the ‘Special One’ fell out with whilst he was coach at Real Madrid.

Given that cash-rich Manchester City were never likely in the market either, realistically that left just Paris Saint-Germain as a potential acquirer of his services.

The Qatari-owned French club could certainly afford his buyout clause and his salary, but no real moves were ever made from their end or from the player so we are left with the situation that was rumoured at the very start; that it really was all just another theatrical ‘look at me’ moment, perhaps designed to engineer another raise.

It was 48 years ago when Mick Jagger told us that ‘you can’t always get what you want,’ but apparently, if you’re Cristiano Ronaldo and you make enough fuss, you can.

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