How a reinvented Cristiano Ronaldo is poised to make a decisive El Clasico impact
The Portuguese star has adapted his game as his pace ebbs away, but he is still so often the difference in the key clashes
Cristiano Ronaldo has made a habit of defying his critics and will try to do so again by leading Real Madrid one step closer to the Spanish title on Sunday against bitter rivals Barcelona.
Four-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo has faced accusations that his powers are waning and while he is no longer the flying winger that terrorised defences, he is no less effective for Los Blancos.
Ronaldo has become a powerhouse centre-forward, demonstrating how he can continue to play at the top level in the coming years despite turning 32 in February.
“I don’t know who doubted me. The people who love Cristiano never had any doubts,” he said.
While the Portuguese is sometimes accused of being a selfish player, his new role sees him participate in attacking build-up play more frequently and in the recent 1-1 Madrid derby draw against Atletico, he created good chances for his teammates.
The striker’s positional transition began in 2014, when he began playing closer to the penalty area, despite nominally starting as a left-winger.
It has only been this season that he has been deployed as a centre forward from the off by Zidane, most notably in the 3-0 win at Atletico Madrid in which Ronaldo scored his 39th career hat-trick.
He has 19 La Liga goals, 10 fewer than Barcelona’s Lionel Messi, but Ronaldo is still third in the Spanish top scorers chart.
Madrid’s poor record in La Liga during Ronaldo’s era at the club is often used as evidence against him in comparisons with Messi, Los Blancos winning just one of seven titles since he joined in June 2009.
But his team go into Sunday’s showdown three points ahead of their rivals from a game fewer, and victory at the Santiago Bernabeu would put them on the verge of their first La Liga triumph for five years.
If he can settle Sunday’s match in Madrid’s favour, they will need only nine more points from the 18 available to win the league.
Ronaldo previously claimed he would like to retire from Madrid duty when he turns 41 and while that still seems optimistic, his evolving game means he can continue being decisive on occasions as big as these.