Funny How Things Change…

By: Ale | April 21st, 2008

the sun ronaldo dartboard After his part in Rooney’s red had already vilified him to the English collective, I remember watching as Ronaldo stepped up to the spot and sent his former friends and teammates packing. Instantly both the English press and public turned on him, and words like ‘diving’ and ‘cheat’ were heard more than ever.

The Sun ran the now infamous headline ‘Give Ron One In the Eye’ featuring a full page dartboard (in true United #7 style) with Ronaldo’s ‘wink’ at the Portugal sideline as the bullseye. Anti-Cristiano pictures, songs, and websites were popping up everywhere and reactions from around the league were hardly sympathetic…

‘I think Wayne should go back and stick one on Ronaldo‘ - Alan Shearer

‘The little winker disgusts me‘ - Steven Gerrard

‘I’ll split him in two‘ - Wayne Rooney

All of this for doing what any player in his situation would have done. When you play in the World Cup, you play for your country. Sure it’s nice to know someone on the opposition as a teammate or friend, and maybe have a handshake or exchange jerseys afterward, but beyond that, you are enemies on that day. If Ronaldo had stepped on Gerrard in the same manner, I hardly think Wayne would have kept quiet about it.

Personally, I believe most of this hatred came down to the simple fact that the English national team were more or less, a joke. Even if Rooney had remained on the pitch, could anyone really believe the outcome would’ve been any different? After the sending off and the circumstances surrounding it, England as a whole had their scapegoat.

This was only multiplied by the fact that Ronaldo was the last kicker in Portugal’s penalty line-up, and it was ultimately was his goal that sent England home. Ronaldo cheated England out of winning the world cup. Not a lack of effort or cohesiveness on the English side, but a 21 year old boy who had betrayed ‘his’ country.

The whole situation is vaguely reminiscent of Ahn Jung Hwan’s treatment in 2002 after his golden goal knocked Italy out and sent South Korea through to the semifinals. Ahn had been on loan at Italian side Perugia at the time, but his contract was cancelled the following day along with this quote from the Perugia boss…

‘I have no intention of paying a salary to someone who has ruined Italian football. - Luciano Gaucci

In the end, Perugia retracted their actions and offered to purchase Ahn from his parent club in Korea, but Ahn declined, citing attacks on his character insead of congratulations on his goal.

Getting back to Ronaldo vs England though, in less than a year and a half, it’s all changed. He and Rooney have combined to become one of the most feared partnerships in the world, and apparently, their praise for each other just keeps growing…

In an interview after the game against Blackburn, Rooney had the following to say about his new best friend

‘He has not just been the best player of the last two seasons, he’s the best player the Premier League has ever seen - and that’s including Thierry Henry, Gianfranco Zola, Eric Cantona, Dennis Bergkamp, and Alan Shearer.

Cristiano is rightly talked about as the best player in the world. I was surprised he didn’t get the world player award last season. He’s got to get it this time.‘

Well said Wazza.

It’s nice to see he’s finally getting the recognition and respect he deserves, and to be honest, I feel it motivates him to play better and ‘mature’ his game that much more. There’s good things to come at Old Trafford.

The fans of Manchester United, and English fans of his who once hated him with all their heart, but now sing his name with equal emotion still irk me a bit though. Maybe I just don’t understand how such extreme opposites can be felt by a fan (especially in football) in such a short amount of time.

Just my two cents.

Viva Ronaldo.