Does Ronaldo need to revamp his image?
I hear it all the time.
“Cristiano Ronaldo is a great player, it’s a shame he is so arrogant.”
Yes, the 27 year-old Portuguese superstar has an image problem. His serious, distant and sometimes petulant behavior on the field of play means many, if not most fans, have quite a negative impression of him.
So who is the real Cristiano? Well, I have known him for nearly a decade and I can tell you he is nothing like that.
Just last week I spent some quality time with the Real Madrid winger at one of his friends' houses in the Spanish capital and he was as sweet as ever.
Every single time I have been around him he has been the same. The fame, the money, the success, they have not changed him.
Obviously he is completely different around his friends than he is on the pitch, and I think that is quite reasonable. While he is working he has the responsibility of performing because, like he told me once again, he hates to lose. He wants to win every single match, whether it is against Barcelona or Rayo Vallecano.
As much as I see his point of view, and I understand the way he feels, I am the first to admit that he has to change his ways.
At 27, he has reached a key moment in his career where he runs the risk of seeing his image taint his legacy. I told him that last week and the people who work closely with “CR7” need to tell him the same.
If I had the chance to work with him, I would tell him the following:
• Smile. You are talented, successful and good looking. You are living the dream. It doesn’t help when you look so serious all the time. It seems like you are carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders. I am not asking you to be like Ronaldinho Gaucho, but you should relax and look like you are having fun out there.
• Celebrate your goals with more enthusiasm. I know you score LOTS of them, but it doesn’t help your image when you act as if they don’t matter. And you should drop the “calma, calma” celebration. It worked well for the game last season against Barcelona, but it’s time to move on.
• Be yourself when cameras are around. Don’t think you need to act a certain way because you are in the spotlight. You are a funny guy, let that come out naturally.
These three simple changes would go a long way to changing people’s perception of Ronaldo, don’t you think? And the great thing is he can achieve them by just being himself.
If nothing is done, and if the same trend continues, there is no doubt people will continue to say Cristiano is a great player, but not such a great person.
And that means his legacy, as well as his hopes of beating Barcelona’s Lionel Messi in the duo’s annual battle for the Ballon d’Or, will suffer.
Let's face it, Ronaldo is absolutely amazing to watch on the pitch. But, I can't help but not like him for all the reasons mentioned above. If that isn't the real him, he needs to show it. Perhaps using his great popularity to help children's charity events, some public speaking events in support of a good cause would show the real him. Completely concur, he needs to drop the "Calma" routine after scoring.
Spot on Pedro!
Never understood the usual "hate" atitude of a lot of people towards Ronaldo, but I do see that he doesn't help in that.
He also needs to be more focused in his side of things instead of being always worried with Messi.
Why is he so eager to win the Ballon D'or? The more eager he looks the worst it is for his case.
He needs to start being himself, and also highlighting the good work other players do.
Like everything you don't need to state the obvious, he is a great player. So stop worrying about it and start worrying about your legacy which should be one of achievement, skill, but also worrying about other subjects away from football.
Pedro you coudlnt be more spot on!
Pedro , I see you now CRs new Karl Rove in his hunt for Balloon D'or.
Good Idea, to flood CNNs sports section with all sorts of stories on CR, including having him vote in the US election.
Hope you well paid and your not feeling compelled because he is portugese.
All these stories on CR are really getting a bit comical.
Maybe he should just shut the hell up for a whole year and play. He's a brilliant reader of the ball and a fantastic finisher.
Just shut your damn mouth, be humble, and score, score, score. No smiling, no whining, no comment.
Why did I read this?
what a jerk to go around telling someone – a complete stranger, especially – who to be & how to act.
people should smile because they WANT to or because they FEEL like it. not because other people are ordering them to smile. do you even know what a smile is? it's not something FORCED or done out of obligation.
leave him alone, not everyone is a fake smiler all the time. if he doesn't feel like smiling, he doesn't have to. he doesn't owe you anything.
I am a Ronaldo fan and I love him for what he is. He says stupid things in media and his people should take care of that. Other than that just don't bother. His admirers love him for what he is. If anything he needs, it's the big cup or two - Champions league. And believe me that will do it.
I don't buy the whole "That's not the real him" argument. If anything, our real personalities come out when we are placed under stress and in high stakes environments. And you can't get any more of that then on the pitch with the world's cameras zoomed in on you.
Everybody is a nice guy when they're sharing a pint with their mates.
Real character is being gracious in victory and defeat, respecting your opponent, and humility. None of which CR7 has...
Full disclosure: I'm a Barca fan, but that's never stopped me from respecting and enjoying the game of past Madridistas: Raul, Roberto Carlos, Zidane and Figo being some of the more recent ones.
i think Ronaldo should be at peace with himself on the field and outside the field. you are doing what you love and you didn't ask to be a star. you owe no one an apology but just give thanks to God for the gift of life to live and to do what you love.
I know you a great person because i do not look at your appearance but much more.
Let the express himself the way he knows how to, if he doesn't see anything wrong with it then let it be. take care and all the best.
He is 27, nonetheless STILL acts (re-acts, I should say) like a child with the same "crybaby" comments and attitude as when he was first shining through. In the beginning it was like "give him time, he is just too young," now it is just obvious it is ingrained. It is not just the arrogance he needs to tap into. No one appreciates crybabies. "I am unhappy", "No one loves me", etc. Hating to lose (who doesn't) should not reverberate this way, but with him it happens time and again. When I see him celebrate a goal, he seems to do it with hatred–sort of saying: "You see? take that!" It is rare that one sees him celebrate just out of the sheer joy of scoring. Thing is, it is not in his bones to be naturally kind human-like to the public eye–his being nice one-on-one does not cut it. But if I were to pinpoint his biggest downfall, it would be his obsession with Messi. If he could just drop it already, he will be so much happier and everything else would follow.
You my friend are pathetic. to judge such talent is a crime, that easily shows your jealousy towards Cristianos achievements. Cristiano worked hard to get to where he is... He doesn't 'act' serious, he is serious. Serious on what he wants (To win). So think again before mocking him hypocrite, don't think you know whats best for Cristiano. He has his own life and you have yours. What has the world come to when individuals become victims of their own success. I pity you sir, i pity all of you.
Most of you comment with out even know what you talk, or at least make a Google search before you post..
You can start by:
Cristiano Ronaldo money donations (more than once, for more than one cause)
Cristiano Ronaldo donates blood (he does it all the time)
Cristiano Ronaldo visits Tsunami affected area
Now, why does he wants so much the "ballon d'our"?
First and foremost, by the reason ALL football players would like to win it.
Secondly, because of the promise he made to his father, before this one die.
About he says "no one loves me" and what so, why dont you take time and go read some Spanish newspappers, not so much the news but the comments and see how much he is hated by many madrid supporters just because he is Portuguese (along side with Mourinho), search for games of 2 years ago when most of the Madrid supporters were booing him during the games in Madrid stadium, i could go on and on.
Now about Messi, if the reporters constantly keep asking him questions that directly or indirectly revolve around Messi, what you want him to do? Not reply?
Even Messi gave an interview recently where he says he is sick of always asking him questions about Ronaldo and the constant talk comparing the 2, etc, etc
All the things i talk here can be easily checked by any of you.
Next time, inform yourself before talk about something you clearly have no clue what you talk.
Antoniah, who said Ronaldo has an obsession with Messi? It certainly was not him. The media has made the two enemies and of course being the imbecile that you are, you interpret that as one obsessing over the other.
Ronaldo does not write articles comparing himself to Messi, journalists do, Ronaldo does not go around doing polls on who is the best, websites like these do. Ronaldo does not go around asking himself questions about Messi or Barcelona, journalists do so I don't understand how anyone with even a single brain cell can come to such a conclusion knowing how the media works. Your bias is so apparent you even go as far as criticizing the way he celebrates his goals, for Pete's sake he scored the damn goal let him celebrate it the way he damn well pleases, it has absolutely nothing to do with you or your sensitive feelings. What is the world coming to when someone works this hard to reach at certain level but they can't even enjoy it or be themselves because there are losers like you who are consumed with jealousy and envy!
Amen...
everybody cant be fake ,, he is what he is ,,..
no doubt CR7 is a great player,breaking and setting records,but his greatest problem is being obsessed with the issues of lionel messi just the last ended classico when messi scored everybody saw how he behaved. just be yourself you have everything to be respected so command it
Have your ever notice that whenever a team mate scores, Ronaldo does not appear to be celebrating. But whenever he scores, he shows his arrogance? Being too self centred is his downfall
I hear a lot of comparisms between messi and football greats like pele maradona zidane but with ronaldo its always a comparism between him and messi. That tells you the level boths players are. No one has ever doubted CR7 as an excellent player but he has a very damaging attitude like his coach Jose.And in this world attitude is everything.Madrid faithfuls like Raul, Zidane and Casillas also are rivals to barca and hate to lose to but they exibit excellent attitude on and off the pitch.Attitude is everything cr7 should learn that .
Pedro Pinto, you are Portuguese like Ronaldo and Mourinho so if it is your agenda to uplift the image of your arrogant countrymen, stop it coz they already showed who they were for the longest time so your efforts to make them palatable to fans will be in vain coz we are not stupid to listen to you. I think you had a regretable attitude as well by pinpointing Mario Balotelli as the most problematic player. Why did you know the real Mario? And who is Mourinho to boast about Mario's bad image? He should check himself first before anyone else coz Mario had been bullied by fans and he needs to be tough to survive this cruel fans whereas Mourinho has always been the bully with no respect to any opponent he has.
if you want to be humble try and visit L.Messi or Kaka
The image the media put on Cristiano as the "arrogant glamour boy" in contrary to "innocent little Messi" reminds me of the "Wild Agassi" vs. "Humble Sampras" times. Who is the one of them now who since many years does good things? Who is the one who had to live with the false media-image for so many years?
Creating and inventing conflicts and good/bad images sellls!
My opinion on this annoying biased media hype: http://cr7-kaka.tumblr.com/post/34564927053/why-all-this-hate-and-malice-on-cristiano-ronaldo
People only hate Cristiano for playing for realmadrid. Messi played ball to the bernabeau fans no one was saying anything.
Maybe he should start by celebrating the goals of his team mates like he does his own. Maybe he should want for others what he wants for himself and show it. When Benzema or Higuain or any other Madrid player scores be twice as happy and celebrate with them as if it were your own. "To be truly great one has to stand among people, not above them."
I love Cristiano, he is talented and competitive but if he is actually a nice guy, we have to see and believe it
Feels like he wants the Balon' d Or so badly he has hired a good public relations firm to redo his image. Sure is showing up in the media a lot as just a misunderstood guy...
well said pedro pinto everytime he is on the pitch he looks like he is forced to be there and play. i agree he should look more relaxed and enjoy his game on the pitch.
Why do you hate to loose, Ronaldo? You should be used to it coz your country Portugal is a consistent looser in any sports, economy, arts etc.
You Portuguese are too poor to be arrogant. You should be humble. Your country is always the poorest in western Europe be it before and after joining the EU. Why? I think stupidity and arrogance is your fame so don't expect the world to love you. Down with Ronaldo, Mourinho and Pepe. Go back to Portugal and make your country proud. I just wonder how much more arrogant you would be if you finally win?
@ric Can anyone possibly be more arrogant than you?
The way you talk about Cristiano and the whole country of Portugal is disgusting.
But accusing a person you never will get to know as arrogant!
I wonder why such comments pass the moderation.
The hell does he need to smile more for? So some corporation can whore him out trying to sell their products? Making defenders look like school children and the goals are all the "PR" he needs. He's freakin Ronaldo!
Our Society expects much from superstars on all fronts. The term Corporate Social Responsibility has captivated the minds and hearts of many across the Planet. Players in the very top bracket of pay scale could do a lot to mobilize Society to contribute to the Planet-making enterprise.
African footballers are doing their bit in the field of education, heath care, hygiene and nutrition of the less privileged or under-privileged citizens in their countries and even in the vast continent of Africa.
No doubt Europe is a highly developed continent but there may be areas that would need the attention and care from world's best footballers.
Andrea, you must be Portuguese if you don't think that Ronaldo and the self appointed 'Special One' are arrogant .Arrogance is obviously a Portuguese national trait. However, this is an American media site and Americans don't respect arrogance, with the obvious exception of Pinto. It must really hurt you that 99% of the football articles are about the EPL and not the Potguguese league.
@Andrea. Well, I guess what i said has truth simple as that. I had worked with different nationalities (Portuguese included) and I had noticed that arrogance on 5 out of 6 Portuguese that I worked with. So sorry if I offended you in case you are Portuguese.
@Andrea. Why Andrea are you just plain ignorant that you posibly don't know that Portugal had never won any major tournament be it even their only sport(football) coz I don't know any famous Portuguese tennis player, basketball player etc. Can you cite some example that what I'm saying was wrong? Which is the poorest country in western Europe do you think? It just showed you can't accept the truth or you're plain ignorant.
@ Ric
Haters gone hate...
And while you hate, learn how to spell.
@ric and Buktum.
I'm German but always admired the Portuguese football. I speak Portuguese since 10 years because I have friends in Brazil.
Portugal is a small country but brought out some of the most brilliant players of all times.
Besides football: How about Fernando Pessoa? Just an example.
I followed Cristiano's career since his first days as a professional at Sporting at age 17. Impressive!
Even if he might sometimes appear cocky on the field, he is a decent person.
If he really was so arrogant, it's strange that many of his current and former team-mates always point out what a nice, down-to-earth and helpful person Cristiano is.
What a good friend and mate he is.
Example: Being German, I liked it how my fellow countrymen Khedira and Özil described Cristiano as the most helpful team-mate when they newly arrived at Madrid. He made them feel at ease, showed them Madrid, invited them into his house. As both spoke no Spanish at the time, Cristiano helped out with translating to English.
You could say: His Real Madrid or Portugal NT team-mates don’t want to talk bad about him because they have to work with him every day.
But there is no need for his former colleagues or managers to do so, they could now reveal what an idiot he is. Instead, they only talk in the most positive way about Cristiano.
But people who never met him and will never have the chance to do so, call him arrogant, just because the media make profit out of this annoying Cristiano/Messi comparisons.
I am a Cristiano Ronaldo fan and I must say I like him for the person he is, outspoken, great player, gives a show every time he gets the ball. Now Messi is also a amazing player no doubt about that, just like Ronaldo they play good for their teams but they dont do much for their countries. When was the last time you heard Messi speak? Does anybody really know much about Messi, besides that hes a great player? most people dont know Messi so they assume he is a good person by the actions he takes in the field. Not trying to start an argument, its just my point of view.
Stop trying to change this man's personality. Not everyone believes in fluff.As long as he does his job well,leave him alone.Not everyone deals well under these circumstances. By the way Sergio, you should study your English more before you make fun of someone's spelling.
@sergio I'm not a native English speaker and even editors makes spelling mistakes couple of times if they type so fast. So if you are Mr. Perfect go and look for perfect people like you. Maybe God? And what we are talking here is not me but Ronaldo and the likes of him like Mourinho and I am arguing strongly that that's what they really are ok. Nobody tells anybody that I'm nice if you ask my friends of course everybody are nice to their friends or teammates for the sake of winning. The REAL ATTITUDE REFLECTS ON HOW RONALDO AND MOURINHO TREATS PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT THEIR FRIENDS. And I just can't help but laugh on the agenda of Pedro Pinto to uplift the image of Ronaldo and Mourinho. He just felt maybe that it's time for Ronaldo to win the Ballon d'Or.
Andrea, I don't care one iota about Ronaldo or Morinho. As it happens I think Gareth Bale is presently the world's best footballer and Sir Alex is streets ahead of Moinho as a manager. What annoys me, and many others it seems, is the fact that Pinto can only write about how great his fellow countrymen are and nothing else. I read the sports pages of many English language newspapers and 99% of the time I read unbiased, objective articles. Unfortunately Pinto is doing nothing but put peoples backs up against his fellow countrymen, which is obviously the opposite of what he intends.
This is a joke! Why does CNN need to promote and market him all the time! Why doesn't he just get on the pitch & play instead of needing kudos and idol-worship from Pedro to try to enhance his chances at the Ballon d'Or? CNN should make a point of providing fair and equally-balanced commentary instead of focusing on Ronaldo! It's rather transparent and pathetic!
Personally, i am a big fan of CR7 and i feel a lot of the criticism he gets for his public image is unwarranted. We cannot force him to behave the way we want, we are football fans and he is a football player giving us some of the best moments in the game. I respect the fact that he literally worked harder than anyone else to get himself to the very top, you almost feel like Messi would be an amazing player even if he didn't put any real effort into it. I agree with Pedro that smiling a bit more and being less serious would help his image but i refuse to accept that the fact that he's not Mr happy-go-lucky should damage his legacy. CR7 must go down as one of the top 5 greatest players of all time.
Cr7 is a great player. He is not obsessed w/ Messi, the media is .. They do it to create rivalry and sell papers. He needs to be himself and not be an actor. Realize not everyone will be happy and find something to complain about in regards to players.. Jealousy is a huge part as to why people are such haters. Relax and enjoy the game haters
I call him "Pretty Boy" and C. Ronaldo is "acting?" arrogant, big ego and not humble to accept that he's just another person with a little added skills to his soccer career & financially better off that the majority of the normal population. One of the worst thing is to "glorify" yourself!! A little down-to-earth of humbleness .... possible?
There is only one Ronaldo...
That's R9. This Portuguese butterfly is a fake...
if the pressure fans and media mount on CR7 is mounted on messi......messi will be worse!
Pedro, obrigado por ter dado uma hipótese a um excelente jogador de mostrar que é boa pessoa, franco, directo, e não raras vezes, a fama e notoriedade exacerbadas podem ser os piores inimigos de qualquer atleta, performer, artista, por opiniões tendenciosas publicadas pelos media, até mesmo, no caso do Cristiano, pela comunicação social portuguesa.
É o preço da fama. Mas ele foi sincero quando disse que pagava bom dinheiro para poder passar desapercebido, sem ser assediado por fans, paparazzi, curiosos de todo o género, quando sai para tomar um café, por exemplo.
Mostrar como ele é, realmente, e não a imagem distorcida que fabricaram para ele, por ter tido uma ou outra atitude menos feliz. Ninguém é perfeito e isento de erros. Ele admitiu-os. Isso é uma atitude honrada. Parabéns pela entrevista, de um boavisteiro nascido no Porto.
Totally agree 100%!!
As per: Marcelo November 15th, 2012 8:46 pm ET
There is only one Ronaldo... Brazil's pure bred.
Everybody loves a bad ass. Keep it up Ronaldo you are terrific!
He is remembered by people who know nothing about football for being the bad boy in the golden boots.
Reblogged this on wadeelliott and commented:
It's a shame to see such a great player get negative press .... But he only has himself to blame
I am a Portuguese South African – parents born on Madeira Islands, so I and the familia are totally crazy about Ronaldo. I am so glad you interviewed him, Pedro, wrt to his image etc... Great interview, totally enjoyed his honest answers and I must say he hasn't lost his Madeireinse-way!! Totally agree that unfortunately the world DOES judge him on his 'attitude'. It's rather sad, as we ALL know he is a remarkable player, I mean lets face it, skill, good looks, talent talent talent and attitude! – it's exactly what we love about Ronaldo. Super interview.... Muinto obrigado Pedro !
I love CR so much that I wish he could play or just be better than Messi...But the more I hate messi, he does better. Truly, trying to change your wrong habit does not need a correctional facility as I would describe Pinto's work. But I have to confess, its better when your in love with the person like I love CR. CR, please put your heart-off messi's and celebrate with colleagues as a team on every success even when its not you; say less and hesitate towards reacting......you wont get to struggle as world's number one
Cristiano Ronaldo is a best football player. I love Cristiano Ronaldo very very much.
No one questions CR talent and abilities. Personally, I think he is more talented, more skillful, faster on open field, capable in the air and better at set pieces from outside the box than Messi. Still, Messi is the better player between them. CR is the Alex Rodriguez of the Football world
CR7 AS FAR AS AM CONCERNED IS A VERY GOOD PLAYER AS FAR AS FOOTBALL AND ATTITUDE IS CONCERNED. HE OUTSHINES MESSI IN ALL D DEPARTMENTS OF FOOT BALL NAME IT ARIEL BATTLE, SHOT BOTH LEFT N RIGHT PACE AND ALL. PEOPLE HATE RONALDO BECAUSE HE IS PLAYING FOR REAL MADRID HAD IT BEEN HE IS PLAYING FOR BARCA ALL THIS THINGS WUNT COME OUT.WHEN HE WAS AT MAN U HE DID NOT HAVE ATTITUDE PROBLEM JUST BECAUSE ITS MADRID. WE LOVE U CR7. HALA MADRID
his biggest problem is his name "Ronaldo"
im sorry but there was only 1 ronaldo and he was from brazil.
I think we should call a spade a spade. If we want to help save CR7's image and carrier we shouldn't be saying what he wants to hear. by all standard CR has a element of pride and arrogance in his character. i wold advice that he wears a friendly face in the pitch. He is not in a battle field. little little foxes spoil the vine.Even the book of life THe HOLY BIBLE states that God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble. He is a fantastic player and should make himself lovable
CR7 IS TOTALLY PERFECT IN MY EYES! WE ARE ALL FASHIONED IN DIFFERENT WAYS, AND WE ALL GREW UP INDIFFERENT ENVIRONMENTS WITH DIFFERENT EXPERIENCES. ALL I KNOW IS THAT NO ONE IS PERFECT, AND ANYONE WHO DOES NOT MAKE DEDICATED EFFORT, DAILY, TO IMPROVE THEIR CHARACTER, IS THE ONE WHO IS ARROGANT, AS THEY FEEL THEY ARE PERFECT!
VARIETY IS THE SPICE OF LIFE! AND RONALDO'S FLAMBOUYANT, CHARISMATIC LIFESTYLE BRINGS BEAUTY TO THE SCENE, EVEN AS MESSI'S RESERVED, GENTLE ATTITUDE BRINGS BEAUTIFUL SOLEMNITY TOO. AS LONG AS SOMEONE IS NOT EVIL, THEY ARE GOOD. NONE OF HIS COACHES EVER COMPLAINED ABOUT RONALDO BEING ARROGANT, NEITHER HIS MATES. ITS ALWAYS THE EVIL 'BUSINESS WORLD' PRESS EMPLOYING ALL CROOKS TO SELL PAPERS!!!
He's Portuguese how could you possibly expect him to act in any way. Have you watched the portuguese national team, they're always serious. I'm Portuguese and even at my mundane Wendy's job I get extremely angry when i portion fries. ITS GOTTA BE PERFECT or else its a complete failure. Portuguese people are like Germans, minus the intelligence in engineering.
I love CR7 as a FOOTBALLER AND A PERSON
Well, this is a blog which we have to be free to express.
Great interview Pedro .
Well I'm A christiano fand I tink that there not. Trying 2 change him I tink they whant him 2 stop changing ...I tink christiano Ronaldo is a great soccer ....even thought I'm only 13 I tink Ronaldo it's just like me...well I'm just like but I tink that they where already trying 2 change him ....look me up on Facebook Christiano Ronaldo if u ever see this
This whole criticism thing, i just want to ignore it... but i want to say something...
Why do people have to judge? Cristiano Ronaldo is a human being just like you and I but with one difference.
They accomplished something in their life that they will enjoy for as long as they live, and that he gave himself a legacy that a person like me can only dream of. His Legacy of passion and love of Football... But you judge his motives, his achievements, his actions, his emotions.
I know that everyone has the right to judge... but to define Cristiano the way others see them is just wrong.
None of us know Cristiano, none of us grew up, lived, cherished life with Cristiano. does seeing him for 90 minutes every game gives us a clue on who he is? simple NO. "Obssession" NO "ARROGANT" NO...
"Passionate"... Yes
I have much to say....but some people just don't get it, and i pity you.