Cristiano Ronaldo - the dilemma of stopping a genius

A Watford fan ponders on how the Hornets can subdue Manchester United's wonder winger in the FA Cup semi-final.

With Watford’s FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United looming, there has been some debate among Hornets fans about how best to wind-up and affect Cristiano Ronaldo.

It seems perfectly clear that he – like David Beckham before him – has learnt how best to deal with the sad and predictable post-World Cup bile and diatribe still being served up at grounds across England.

Yes, Ronaldo did wink in a hugely annoying way during last summer’s tournament. But is that enough to warrant the abuse he has picked up all season? I know what you’re thinking: he is a diving, cheating whinger. I think that’s harsh. Yes, he does go down easily. But don’t be fooled by popular consensus. He is just very, very good.

I often wonder how players like Ronaldo manage at home. Imagine this: young Cristiano emerges from the kitchen wearing his slippers and carrying a tray upon which sits his beans on toast and a mug of tea. He drops a shoulder and deftly turns, thus avoiding the nasty door frame, on his way to his lounge to sit and eat as he watches Deal or No Deal (is that about a possible move to Real Madrid?). Then – horror! – he brushes a thigh against the arm of his leopard-print sofa and – crash! – down he goes. Penalty! Beans and tea everywhere. Ref!
No, of course not. He can stay on his feet when he chooses to, and does actually have a centre of gravity lower than his on-pitch displays might suggest.

Ronaldo has brilliantly used the barrage of hate to which he has become so accustomed to fuel his drive to become the Premiership’s leading light this season. His skill, athleticism, poise, natural flair and goals are incredible, providing a combination so scarce in football that he is sure to become Manchester United’s highest-paid player. (And in Wayne Rooney, they have another of the modern game’s greatest natural talents).

That is the real reason Ronaldo gets the abuse. Any fan in the country would love him playing for their team.

And so to the matter in hand. I am a Watford fan and I also love to watch football’s greats – Gary Lineker, Kenny Dalglish, John Barnes, Paul Gascoigne. Pure gold, all of them. And so is Ronaldo. But do I want him to play on April 14? It’s a tough one. Yes, because I want to see him in action again. But no, because I want us to win. I know, I know – they’ve got Rooney, Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville, et al, and they are the form team. But Ronaldo is their key player this season.

So abuse does not work. What can we do? Shout “Behind you!”, watch him fall, then steal the ball from his twinkling toes? Or just throw smelly socks at him? The real trouble is that, whatever you do, you cannot ignore him. [Via]