Cristiano Ronaldo needs a timeout

La Liga: Cristiano Ronaldo did not enjoy Real Madrid’s La Liga clash at Cordoba on Saturday. And the recently crowned 2014 Ballon D’Or has not had a memorable start to the new year.

Madrid played poorly against relegation-threatened Cordoba, and the sides were level (1-1) with time running out. Ronaldo was a peripheral figure, with no shots on target and no chances created for team-mates.

Then he took centre stage.

First the Portuguese threw a punch at Jose Angel Crespo after they battled to reach a corner. Three minutes later he kicked out at Cordoba left-back Edimar, and then scuffled with two other players after being red carded.

While leaving the pitch, he reacted to barracking from the home fans by showing off the ‘World Club champions’ badge on his jersey.

Blancos coach Carlo Ancelotti attempted to play down the incident. “I saw nothing. I’ve not spoken with him. I can’t judge what happened.”

Ronaldo was quickly on Twitter to apologise for his “impulsive action”, although that was immediately taken by some as an attempt to limit the damage.

The referee’s report just mentioned the kick at Edimar, with no other details included, leading to hopes in Madrid (and fears in Catalonia) of a one game ban for ‘over-aggression’ not three for ‘violent conduct’.

As Ronaldo watched from the bench, team-mate Gareth Bale both won and converted the late penalty which ensured Madrid stayed top of La Liga.

Later that afternoon, Ronaldo’s nemesis Lionel Messi continued his recent renaissance, with two goals and two assists as Barcelona won 6-0 at Elche to stay just a point behind.

The length of ban is important, as three games would see Ronaldo miss the trip to third-placed Atletico Madrid in a fortnight.

Ronaldo’s last red card came almost exactly 12 months ago, when he raised his hands during a scuffle with Carlos Gurpegi and Ander Iturraspe. Two games were added to that suspension for a gesture towards officials.

This all adds to the feeling that Ronaldo’s 2014/15 campaign is mirroring his 2013/14 season very closely. Last term also saw a burst of goals through the autumn, sealing the 2013 Ballon D’Or trophy, but then a slow start to the new year amid growing injury concerns, which were at first played down. In Ronaldo’s first 23 games of this season, until early December, he scored 32 goals. His last eight appearances have brought just four. His all-round influence on games has also waned hugely, with noticeably less movement on and off the ball.

Through recent weeks, Ancelotti stressed his superstar has no physical problems, although Ronaldo appeared to contradict his boss when speaking after Madrid were eliminated from the Copa del Rey by Atletico 10 days ago.

“You cannot score in every game, or be at your best,” he said after being upstaged by Atletico’s Fernando Torres. “Tell me a player who always plays well. I’m not from another planet. Maybe I’m not perfectly fit, but I’ll get there. The knee issue is over, I’ve got used to playing with pain. In two or three weeks I’ll be fine, and the team too.”

These comments did not stop increasing speculation that the knee problem which hampered him in the second half of last season is back. Playing through pain is one explanation for the frustration which led to Saturday’s red card. But perhaps the ending of a five-year relationship with Russian model Irina Shayk was another factor.

Ronaldo turns 30 on February 5 next. Maybe a few weeks rest is exactly what he needs just now.