Cristiano Ronaldo Forever - The Cristiano Ronaldo Thread

So I'm guessing you didn't watch those tournaments then, because from what you're making it sound like, one would think Zidane scored every goal and even somehow assisted himself every time. Zidane's departure also coincided with the decline/retiring of a number of key players such as Vieira, Makelele, Henry, etc. so yes, naturally the team would suffer if you have that many influential players, including Zidane, not having as much impact or even any impact at all. And I flat out disagree about this "AS A WHOLE" bit. Alves, through his lax defending on the first Zlatan goal, and Veloso, causing a needless foul that led to the second goal, nearly unraveled the tie in Sweden's favor by playing totally elementary.

Also, you should go back and watch some of the France games you mentioned, particularly 98', so you can make proper judgments yourself and see that, aside from the final, Zidane was nothing stellar.

 

Ok, i'll be perfectly fair and say that when the 98 WC came I was like 7 years old and they were some of the first football matches i've ever seen on television. I loved to play with my dad, and at school I learned most of what I know (...it's not much but it's something ) thanks to my friends.

At the time I HAAATED watching the Portuguese games because they were boring as f*** (and still are). My dad then convinced me to try watching the world cup games, where the greatest players in the world face off against each other. My favorite players were always the attacking midfielders/playmakers, because that's what I wanted to be at the time. My dad introduced me to Zidane during those world cup games, he thought Rui Costa was better (we still argue about it to this day xD)

I'll admit, with all fairness, that I was really young and obviously didn't have the knowledge of the sport I have today. Another thing is that it's been 15 years, so my memory may be a little tricky, but I remember being in awe of how Zidane played and how involved he was. He was the first great player i've ever seen. I remember seeing him all over the pitch, constantly recovering the ball and always coming up with some great play to inspire his team to victory. I even remember when I watched those games, my dad took me to his friends' pub and during the game people were always saying "oh that guy Zidane" and similar stuff like Zidane05 just said:

I only got a chance to watch a few of Maradona and Cruyff's best games much later, when a friend of my dad let me borrow some VHS tapes with tapped football games. Me and a couple of friends of mine liked to watch these games together, so that we could learn some tricks and beat the other kids' asses at school. I felt the same way I felt while watching Zidane play when I was a kid, and when I reached a few of Argentina's games at the 86 WC I gained a new idol from that point on xD

4x4s, i'm sorry if i've been somewhat annoying and stubborn in this topic. I just like to stand by my opinion, but I realize sometimes I can go a little too far.

 

what. a. goal.

 

6 months Ronaldo, 6 months.

Do that in the World Cup.

Wow.

That is all.

 

ignorance is indeed bliss at times...nice way to try to derail the thread though

 

Cristiano Ronaldo's 30 yard strike has been clocked at 115 km/h ........ Absolutely insane.....

 

Firsts of all ,when the debate started the reference that was made was Zidane's performance in the 2006 WC if i am not wrong,u totally changed the context by bringing 98 WC ...and FYI it was Paraguay not Uruguay

 

And trolling seems to be ur forte,but guess what trolling aint any hot any more

 

You prove your derelictions rather well

 

Respect!

 

good stuff cris, good stuff, oh and gratz on the award, you deserve it!

 

Ronaldo breakin' ankles

 

CR has been losing the ball as of late. In all of these games for 2014, he has lost the ball and can't beat his guy. I don't know why but when he gets the ball he is really not trying to create chances with some runs.

Haven't seen a CR run or step over to beat his guy in awhile.

 

Then you haven't been watching since 2014.

 

I have and thanks to a website I found, I have all the games and can show you so many examples of what I see. He is deadly when he is in a position to strike but when he is out of range, it is very hard for him to create. He has either lost the ball or fell.

 

So would you take Zizou or Yaya Toure? Random comparison but they are both great midfielders of their respective gens.

I think I would take toure with his power and drive and more consistensy than zizou.

 

In 2014:
v Celta Vigo - 3 Successful Dribbles, 3 Key Passes
v Osasuna - 1 Successful Dribble, 3 Key Passes
v Espanyol - 2 Successful Dribbles, 2 Key Passes
v Osasuna - 2 Successful Dribbles, 1 Key Pass
v Real Betis - 4 Successful Dribbles, 2 Key Passes
v Espanyol - 0 Successful Dribbles, 3 Key Passes

2014 Total - 12 Successful Dribbles @ 2 per game and 14 Key Passes @ 2.33 per game.

Sure seems like he is beating players and creating chances to me. Maybe you should watch games.

 

I wouldn't say Ronaldo is playing bad either, like Crimson pointed out those are some good stats.

His decision making is what's worrying me, ever since he returned from injury. Occasions where he clearly should play back or try an assist, he shoots instead. But i'm pretty sure he'll return to full beast mode soon