The responsibility of being the world’s best football player proved too much for Cristiano Ronaldo on Saturday when he spectacularly lost his head, punching one player and kicking another.
The three-times winner of the Ballon d’Or now faces a possible three-match ban, with his reputation as the golden boy of soccer looking distinctly tarnished.
According to newspapers, who had a field day over the gaff, Ronaldo “pointed to the symbol of the champion of the world in response to jeers from local fans” after he was handed a straight red card for kicking Brazilian Edimar in a league match in which CR7’s crack team Real Madrid won 2-1.
Later, he took to Twitter to apologise to “everyone, especially Edimar”.
Fortunately, his victim showed unusual magnanimity, saying: “These things happen on a football pitch. It was not an attempt at aggression. He hit my legs and my mouth, nothing more.”
The length of Ronaldo’s suspension will be decided on Wednesday, January 28.
As only to be expected considering his recent split from sultry girlfriend of five years Irina Shayak, newspapers are speculating whether a sudden dent to Ronaldo’s pride may be at the root of his ugly on-pitch outburst.
Certainly, stories doing the rounds suggest Ms Shayak has been having a wild old time getting to know new men, here there and everywhere.
As Ronaldo’s family told the media last week, they hope next time round, he finds a woman who loves him for who he is and shows him respect.
By NATASHA DONN natasha.donn@algarveresident.com
