Ronaldo breaking barriers as well as records
IT IS not very often that bitter rivalry gets pushed aside, overlooked or ignored.
In fact, it takes something as big as a severe catastrophe or the anniversary of an unfortunate disaster to bring bitter enemies together (and even in some circumstances this is not enough).
Unfortunately this is a sign of the times, the culturally competitive nature of society and tribalism is at an all-time high due to the communication on steroids that is social media.
Rivals are constantly connected through such mediums as Facebook and Twitter, while the proliferation of online information provides even the most uneducated fan with a proficient amount of knowledge.
Such hatred and animosity wasn’t always apparent however.
On the back of the Munich air disaster of 1958, when Manchester United could barely field a team, it was Bill Shankly of Liverpool who offered acting manager, Jimmy Murphy, five Liverpool players.
As Manchester mourned it was fiercest rivals Liverpool who leant a helping hand.
While the offer of respect was somewhat repaid when Kenny Daglish confirmed that Sir Alex Ferguson was one of the first to call, asking “is there anything he can do to help” upon the aftermath of the devastating Hillsborough disaster.
What we witnessed on Wednesday was a watershed moment.
Rivalry that so often transcends all known levels of objective rational was eclipsed by a moment of magic, an inevitable instant of inspiration and ingenuity. A quick one-two with James Rodriguez seen Ronaldo with the strength, audacity and balance only befitting of the best, stroke the ball home with a delicate touch of effortless genius.
The thus far boisterous Anfield crowd were left stunned, silenced and subdued with one swoop of a right foot – the right foot of a virtuoso. Having become accustomed to a borderline genius last season in Suarez, Anfield has been craving someone of a similar ilk since his departure - although they longed for him to wear red.
Their inability to capture that “statement” signing while they could, with the carrot of Champions League football dangling above a handsomely hefty pay cheque may ultimately be Brendan Rodgers biggest mistake of what is hitherto a highly successful tenure.
Nonetheless, Anfield bore witness to a genuine genius on Wednesday, a master of his craft in full flow - a sight to behold. Ronaldo is ruthlessly efficient and equally as effective. He embodies the complete athlete in terms of talent, attitude and showmanship.
Liverpool fans at Anfield on Wednesday could sense they were in the presence of greatness and they responded with a show of appreciation that typifies why we love the game. They felt obligated to applaud a man the majority loathe.
Not since Ronaldo’s namesake, the original Ronaldo, or CR9 as the Nike marketing department christened him, have we seen such collective celebration of an opposing team’s player.
Ironically it was Manchester United who were the ones in awe, although again, it was the Galacticos of Madrid that handed the mauling. His sublime hat-trick at Old Trafford on April 23rd 2003 had the Stretford End in such admiration usually only accustomed to the bearer of the number 7 shirt.
Back then Ronaldo was at the pinnacle of his game and destined to become one of the greatest players of all time. Injuries unfortunately curtailed his assent to the top; the same can’t be said for his namesake however.
Cristiano Ronaldo previously referred to as the “fake” Ronaldo or the “imposter” now sits on a pedestal of footballing Gods alongside the likes of Maradona, Pele, Best and of course Messi.
Ronaldo has won countless cups and championships, broken a myriad of records and won the Balon d’Or on two occasions, which will soon be three, but one of his biggest achievements (even if he doesn’t think so himself) must be breaking that barrier of rivalry between the fiercest of foes, albeit if only for a few seconds.
Even the most rationale of fans will often find faults with rival players despite there being very few evident. That’s the tribalistic mentality of football fandom kicking in. In the case of Liverpool-United such illogicalness is unrivalled.
The applause wasn’t rapturous or rousing - it was subtle yet significant. Its occurrence reaffirms the possible collective positives of football that are so often forgotten. Rivalry can be set aside to celebrate true greatness.
As Ronaldo exited the pitch on the 75th minute with the aura of a Roman General who had just conquered his foe, even he would have been astonished at the reception from fans who had previously booed his every touch of the ball.
For a player famed for dividing opinion the feeling is now mutual, even amongst the fiercest of foes. Like him, love him; loathe him, Wednesday night gave the clearest indication yet that Ronaldo is truly too good not to be universally celebrated.
The following few hours were a thing of rare beauty. An unofficial ceasefire was disclosed. Feuding was replaced by fascination, while arguing was substituted for appreciation, acceptance and acknowledgment – a universal realisation that Ronaldo is a footballing phenomenon at the peak of his powers.
Ironically, for United and Liverpool alike there is no winner. Liverpool may be resigned to the Europa League because of his sheer mastery. Ultimately undone by a moment of magic and thereafter dominated by his brilliance Liverpool must loath the fact that their next European fixture is in Ronaldo’s very own Coliseum –The Santiago Bernabeu.
While for United fans it’s a case of what could’ve been. It’s invigorating seeing your fiercest rivals at the mercy of your favoured son, yet its bittersweet to think that his prime years are being spent away from his “second home” that is Old Trafford.
At £80m he is looking like the biggest bargain of the modern era. For now, it’s most certainly a case of acceptance, acknowledgement and celebration of being able to witness a true, genuine genius in full flow. After all that’s why we love football.
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