New Delhi: Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the most decorated footballers in history, is often hailed as one of the greatest soccer player of all time. Despite his numerous accolades and record-breaking goal tally some critics still continue to question his overall contribution to the game suggesting that his talents lie primarily in scoring.
The latest criticism comes from the former Real Madrid player Antonio Cassano who delivered some bold statements about the Portuguese star. Speaking during a recent Viva El Futbol podcast, the ex-forward openly criticized Ronaldo’s overall contribution to the game despite the 39-year-old’s stellar achievements on the field.
“Cristiano Ronaldo doesn’t know how to play football. He could score 3,000 goals, I don’t give a ****,” said Cassano. He doesn’t like Ronaldo because as per him CR7 is obsessed with scoring goals and ignores link-up play with teammates.
Cassano said, “Players like Higuain, Aguero, Benzema, Lewandowski, Ibrahimovic, and Suarez they knew how to link up with their teammates and play better collectively.”
Despite such criticisms, the Al-Nassr star striker remains in a league of his own. Throughout his career, Ronaldo has had a telepathic chemistry with many of his teammates. He was part of the iconic Real Madrid trio alongside Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale, who were dubbed by the fans as BBC, which helped Madrid win various trophies.
During his stay in Madrid, the Portuguese icon made a whopping 131 assists, in addition to becoming the club’s all-time top scorer. While Ronaldo has built a reputation as a goal machine it’s also important to note that he contributed to his team through assists averaging 0.3 assists per game during his time at Madrid.
He also became the first player in football history to score 900 goals across club and international competitions. His tenure at Real Madrid was particularly fruitful where he scored an astonishing 311 goals in 292 La Liga matches and even became the quickest player to score 100 goals for a single club which was recently equaled by Man City’s Erling Haaland.
Although in the Premier League, he netted 17 goals upon his return. United finished a disappointing sixth with a poor goal difference and their worst performance at that time.
In the Saudi Pro League, so far the iconic number 7 has scored 69 goals in 76 matches across all competitions further solidifying his status as a prolific scorer.
Who is Antonio Cassano?
Antonio Cassano of Real Madrid celebrates after scoring a goal during the Primera Liga match between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium on March 4, 2006 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
Antonio Cassano is a former Italian international forward who now regularly appears as a pundit and often sparks debates because of his controversial remarks. During his career, he played for many top-level clubs like Madrid, AC Milan, Roma and Inter.
The forward began his career with a bang earning a move to Roma at the age of 19 where he was seen as one of Italy’s brightest young talents. His performances eventually earned him a high-profile switch to Real Madrid in 2006.
However, Casano’s time at the Spanish giants was far from impressive he scored only two goals in 19 matches before parting ways with the club a year later to join Sampdoria. Despite his underwhelming spell at Madrid he is known more for his controversial opinions than his footballing legacy. This isn’t the first time the Italian has taken a jib at Ronaldo.
In 2022 also Cassano publicly suggested that the Portuguese icon should retire stating, “A player like Cristiano needs to understand when it’s time to call it quits. If he can’t perform anymore, it’s time to step away. It’s a standard in all sports when it’s time, just retire. He’s achieved everything, been phenomenal, and made a fortune. He doesn’t need to keep going.”
As Crisitano continues to break records and reach new heights in his career the debate surrounding his playing style and contributions will likely persist. While the Italian’s criticisms may resonate with some but the impact Ronaldo holds on the game cannot be overlooked. His legacy as one of the greatest footballers in history remains firmly intact even amidst the dissenting voices.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s playing style was criticized by the former player and he questioned his contributions beyond scoring despite the Portuguese star’s remarkable achievements. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
