Sir Alex Ferguson, the Manchester United manager, has often
complained about how Cristiano Ronaldo is unfairly targeted and
double-marked by other teams.
The player himself, however, has never seemed too bothered about
it.
Ferguson has also discussed the treatment the newly crowned FIFA
World Player of the Year receives from rowdy, disgruntled non-Manc
fans, as his every touch is usually greeted with a chorus of boos
and howls.
But again, Ronaldo appears completely unperturbed by the situation.
In fact, he is so used to it that he reckons he thrives on the
hatred of opposition supporters.
He said in The Sun, “It’s normal for me now. If it doesn’t
happen, I’m thinking, ‘Why aren’t they booing?’
“It’s part of football. Maybe they think if they boo I’ll lose my
concentration — but it doesn’t happen because I like it.”
Perhaps Ronaldo understands that a fair portion of the people
dishing out the abuse are doing so through a subconscious respect,
maybe even outright fear, of his ability as a footballer.
The Portugal winger amassed 42 goals last term as he steered United
to Premier League and Champions League glory, achievements which
saw him claim the Ballon d'Or and the FIFA World Player of the Year
award.
Injuries and fluctuating form have hampered the Madeira native's
2008-09 campaign, but he has still managed to tally 14 goals and 11
assists to date.
And Ronaldo said, “I’ve improved every year and the last season was
the best.
“But I want more — this season I want to score the same amount of
goals, or more. I know it’ll be hard but I think it’s
possible.”
