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Ronaldo having subpar World Cup
Posted: Wednesday July 01, 1998 04:17 PM
PARIS (CNN/SI) -- There's an awkward question floating around the World
Cup in France
ahead of the quarterfinals this week. No one's actually said anything in so
many words, but the more you talk to people and the more you read, the more
you form the opinion that you're not alone in your thinking. It's rather
like an 'Emperor's new clothes" kind of thing. You know the old fairytale
where the King is conned into wearing a suit that's supposedly invisible to
stupid people, prompting all his courtiers and subjects to pretend to see
what is not there. Then the little boy comes along and says what's obvious
to everyone, "The King is in the altogether -- as naked as the day that he
was born." How does that apply to the World Cup? Well it concerns the
form of the two-time World Footballer of the Year, Ronaldo. Now before the
tournament the hype and expectation surrounding this 21-year-old superstar
was of epic proportions. This was the man the world wanted to see above
anyone else. His pace and poise on the ball raising him head and shoulders
above any other player on display. Literally speaking as well, with the
image of the $34 million a year man adorning one of the biggest billboards
in town. We expected him to be larger than life. And, when we saw him on
the field, in the opening game with Scotland, we
marveled at his every touch. He was, so it seemed, just magical. At least
that's what we were programmed to believe. But I for one would like to play
the role of the boy in the story. Ronaldo has been exposed so far at this
World Cup, where he's been no better than ordinary. I'm not as arrogant
as to go out on a limb against him of course. In an interview Wednesday
none other than soccer legend Pele agreed that Ronaldo has been off his
game. In Pele's view, failing to communicate with other players, and
suffering under the pressure of the world's expectation. Granted, his
three goals thus far sound impressive on paper, especially bearing in mind
that his reputation means he's the most tightly marked player on the pitch.
But what the statistics don't reveal, is that two of those goals came in
one game, the other was a penalty, and Ronaldo has been scoreless in Brazil's other
two outings. Now no one is suggesting Ronaldo is anything but a
supremely gifted player. Some of the brilliant goals he's scored for
Barcelona and Inter Milan in the past have shown that, on his day, he can
simply take your breath away. The problem, for those who see a problem, is
that by his standards his day has yet to arrive at this World Cup.
Ronaldo's coach -- Mario Zagalo hinted as much when answering reporters
questions about one of Brazil's other main strikers, Bebeto. In response to
claims that the veteran is providing no movement up front, Zagalo
reportedly claimed he is making moves of which others are not aware. Since
Ronaldo is the man sharing the frontline duties with Bebeto, and had
recently been quoted as missing the support of his friend and
strike-partner, Romario, Zagalo's finger would seem to be firmly pointed at
the young superstar. Indeed assistant coach, Marcos Teitera, went a step
further in reaction to Ronaldo's claims of missing Romario, advising the
player to knuckle down and get on with it. "OK they are friends," he
said. "They like each other. But the reality is Romario is not here. So he
must play with anybody beside him. That's what he must do." So Ronaldo
has been told. And in fairness to him, while Pele was critical of his
efforts so far, he was also sure he would rise to the occasion in the
latter stages. A hope echoed by the whole of football I'd suggest, because
sometimes naked ambition is just not enough.
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