Graeme Souness has claimed Cristiano Ronaldo is nowhere near the player he was 12 months ago and ‘spends a lot of his time on his bum’ whining to referees.
The high-profile pundit delivered a fascinating verdict of the Real Madrid icon in the Sunday Times ahead of the Champions League clash against Liverpool next weekend.
Anfield legend Souness hailed Ronaldo as one of the five greatest players in football history but also believes age is catching up with him.
“It’s dangerous to say he’s past his best because he can still produce something special, as he did against Juventus in Turin — an overhead kick of remarkable technique and athleticism.” Souness wrote in the Sunday Times. “I hope it doesn’t come back to bite me, and Liverpool, but he’s not quite the power he was, no longer has the pace to get away from people instantly.
“He spends a lot of time on his bum now, complaining he’s been fouled, and plays the width of the box. He’s still capable of great things but, like Real, nowhere near where he was even 12 months ago.”
OPINION
Ronaldo blew out 33 candles on his birthday cake in February and his best days are clearly well behind him. Like the Real team itself, the all-time great is on his last legs but still capable of moments of jaw-dropping quality that is sufficient to win marquee football matches. Real have secured notable victories en route to the final, but even the side’s greatest supporter would find it difficult to mount a convincing argument that they have blown opponents aware with the quality of the football. Liverpool look a team on the rise, while the Spanish giants are there because they are well organised, have a team of battle-hardened winners and do just about enough to get the job done. Ronaldo doesn’t run matches anymore. Not at the top level. He is not the dominant figure. He remains a brilliant finisher and a dangerous opponent. But he won’t be the best player on the pitch in Kiev. Far from it.
