Time’s up Ronaldo, there’s a new hero in town

Cristiano Ronaldo – the gift that keeps on giving. Despite turning 31, Ronaldo gave a reminder of why he is still one of the best players in the game. On the weekend, he helped pull back a 2-0 deficit to a 2-2 draw and on Wednesday he did the same, pulling back 2 goals against Las Palmas for a 3-3 draw.

But, the question has to be asked: Would Madrid have even needed a comeback in those games 3-4 years ago? Is the Madrid squad suffering from an over reliance on the Ronaldo machine that is now perhaps running close to its sell-by date?

We all know Cristiano Ronaldo has pulled Real Madrid over the years. But in the last couple of years, it has been evident that he can no longer pull as hard as before. He is still no doubt a very prolific player and goal scorer but he doesn’t work the pitch like he once used to. No longer does he sprint 30-40 yards with the ball and then shimmy past ¾ players a blast it into the roof of the net. He’s now your traditional striker – fox in the box, goal poacher with head or feet.

But, that has its disadvantages too. Real Madrid have lost that midfielder winner, that player who can change the game from the middle of the pitch.  They need a new player who can do that, who can pull them through, who can build from the middle and yet can pick up the ball and charge 30-40 years untouched.

They have that – in Gareth Bale.

But, Gareth Bale is much more than Ronaldo. He can run, leap, charge, head, two footed, faster, much more aggressive Ronaldo. We may have seen his ugly side on Wednesday but that ugly side will have caught Zidane’s eye.  Despite being recognised as an elegant player, Zidane could be dirty when he needed to be too.  He could grasp a team by the neck and get them over the line.

Gareth Bale is that player. He showed on his return against Valencia how he can change games, charging 60 yards to get on to the end of a 3 pass move and comfortably finish in the bottom corner. Without even knowing it, you can’t help but feel he will be surpassing Ronaldo in the same fashion.

Will he scores as many goals as Ronaldo? Probably more. But I guess the key difference between the two is “team”. Bale provides much more for the team than Ronaldo. He pulls his weight a lot more, covers more ground and wins  more tackles. Will it make him a better player than Ronaldo in the eyes of the world? Probably not as he doesn’t crave the limelight as much as Ronaldo. CR7 is known for his over-the-top showing off (just look at the Euros).

But will he be a better player for Real Madrid? Yes. That’s a bold statement I know. But Gareth Bale is still only 27 years old and he’s already carried a next-to awful nation to the semis of the Euros. Nani carried Portugal – Ronaldo took the plaudits – and there is the problem for Real. Bale is just hitting his peak and can carry a team without crying or prancing around on the touchline.

As for Ronaldo, you can’t help but sense a move to China may actually be good for him over the next few years.

Nubaid Haroon – Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCtMg-fWm7awR41vM1GhVOkA  Twitter: twitter.com/rambofyi

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