Why do you go on a litany, when in fact nobody said anything about who has been a better player for Madrid? The Benzema comparison was to show how absurd your claims about Ronaldo are. As for scoring, i was talking about Primera, which is the best indication of players form / performance in the season. Fat, invalid Ronaldo vs. healthy 29 year old, 14 goals in 1,7k minutes, vs. 11 goals in 1,9 minutes. 3 times over 20 goals in 5 seasons – according to you disaster, 2 times over 20 goals in 8 seasons – majestic Benzema. Besides, if you wan`t to look at the entire picture, actually look at the entire picture. Benzema had three seasons more in a balanced team, while not suffered from serious injuries. Ronaldo suffered two devastating injuries – which is crucial, and despite he had the will, put the effort came back and destroyed WC 2002, and scored 23, 24 and 21 goals in his first three seasons in Madrid and offered some magical performances beyond Benzema`s ability. That according to you is a disaster? Also, for how many trophies has been Benzema responsible, and how many was because he was playing in objectively better team ( except possibly 02/03 team )? I will take 02/03 Ronaldo anyday of the week. Secondly, it is funny how you complain about the lack of care given, when in fact Benzema is neither the personification of profesionalism and being in shape. But Ronaldo at least has excuse, suffered from ruptured knee tendon / serious chronic problems and apparently he also suffers from Hypothyroidism, while Benzema has what exactly? Chronic fear of compettition in which he buckles like a toddler? His weight issues came in his later career, while prior he looked in great physical shape. Given all the problems, it is understandable as to why he experienced weight gain. Now as to why he suffered from tendon ruptures, the causes of it are well known. In case of Ronaldo, speculation is that he build to much muscle mass in his teen years, due to usage of anabolic suplements given by PSV which also weakens tendons. Get it? In reality, Benzema is probably the most overrated 9 in the history of football, while Ronaldo is the best the world has ever seen.
Ronaldo lost quite a lot of weight. They talked a lot about it before and said he increased his top speed because of it. But it's actually quite noticable from his muscle mass. He used to be bulkier before, for sure. Btw, why you sad Cristiano?
For the last time more muscles doesn't automatically equate to more speed. I have yet to see a sprinter skinny like a long distance runner. Ffs I ran a sub-4.4 and consist 4.5 at my size (for those who remember when I put my picture as my avatar).
This makes zero sense. Decline in muscle mass is one of the factors in speed loss. Specifically after hitting certain age you will start experiencing loss of high-twitch fibers which happens faster than for slow-twitch fibers. Which is why faster players are most heavily impacted in terms of physical decline. Not to mention other crucial factors, which also decline with age. He is 32 years old, you cannot beat time instead you can just mitigate it to some extent. And he is doing it, by playing more centrally, closer to the goal and with far less sprinting. Add to that more recovery, probably changes in training routine, suppliments,etc...
Correct. Muscle mass only slows you down if you are bulky, which Ronaldo never was. I think playing more centrally and having more rest is what made the difference
I wonder if Ronaldo used the name Aveiro instead would we be even having this debate. Most people here don't realise it, but this debate is over their names more than anything else.
The reports say he deliberately lost mass in the upper body. That would have an impact on speed so long as he only lost it in the upper body and not legs.
This makes zero sense. If anything you need strong core for top physical performance, especially springint. He probably has perfectly balanced muscle mass throught out the body. Meaning losing muscle mass only in upper body would have detrimental effect on his physicality, especially his speed. Also in general losing his muscle mass would make him effectively slower, and not faster. If he intentionally lost some of his muscle mass, it was not due to trying to become faster. In any case, he is simply past his physical performance due to his age. Fast-twich fibers, changes in cardiovascular system, changes in bone density...etc... sadly does the trick.
No, that still isn't an automatic thing. Like was said earlier, age and loss of fast twitch muscles has more of an effect. If you were speaking of fatigue then I would agree. However we are talking about speed which is about your fast twitch muscles and your core plus lower back strength. The only part of his upper body which would significantly effect his speed would be losing size on his arms and that is specifically related to his ability to pump them (movement) as he runs. I'm not talking out of my ass here. I literally lived this. Another thing that could have effected his velocity is the knee injury. We expect him to be superhuman but it takes time to get your velocity back after every injury especially the older you get. Hence why him resting is so important and probably why he embraced this instead of fighting it.
I'm no physician so unfortunately I can't contribute to the discussion. All I know is that whatever he did seems to be working big time, he not only looks faster but is better at team play, decision making and is more comfortable with the ball. I'm very happy to see he can improve at the age of 32.
Don't worry, it doesn't stop the majority of this forum to share their "knowledge" on muscles and acceleration
@YOUNGSTARS87 Looking at it differently to what has been mentioned, losing weight has a direct effect on endurance for the better, which is why, I suspect, he hasn't been fading in games like he was earlier in the season. It might not be about speed but rather endurance and having energy late in games in which to capitalise on his speed and strengths already. More like a hyena, less like a cheetah.
Ronaldo could be slowing down his muscle training. I am always afraid that he would overtrain.himself and suffer at game times. He has been crazy, right? At his age, he can't expect to train liked a mad man and suffer during game time. His muscle mass would go down if he does not train his muscle as much. I am not an expert, but it is not unusual for older athletes to switch their training methods.
Well I was a professional athlete whose livelihood was based on keeping my speed/velocity, so while I might not be a physician (as if they are the foremost knowledgr is speed training ) my knowledge and understanding of it is galaxies greater than yours.
I never said that my knowledge is greater than anyones here. I did say that plenty of guys who literally have no idea about this topic kept posting stupid stuff. I was also an athlete and trained more than one sport but that's besides the point. If you have no idea about something , don't preach about it.
Okay, well I apologize for taking that ahot at you. This statement is very true though. Too many times I see ignorance posted which states weight loss automatically equates to speed.
I just don't get why we're spending such astronomical amounts on Vinicius and Mbappe. If we pay that kinda money for potential alone, I can't imagine what teams will be asking us when we go after a well developed talent on the level of Ronaldo or Bale who actually accomplishes something major. Real paid through their teeth for James Rodriguez and Martin Odegaard, and they're currently both shining examples of buying on potential alone rather than fit or necessity.
When did we "pay through our teeth" for Odegaard? James had retained near his value being a bench player and was useful for us. Your shining examples are baseless