Cristiano Ronaldo turns 32 after "best year" of his career
The Champions League, Euro 2017, Club World Cup, the Ballon d'Or, FIFA The Best Award...those were just some of the highlights in Ronaldo's 32nd year. What does the 33rd hold in store?
Cristiano Ronaldo turns 30 today (Sunday, February 5th 2017) after a year which he has described as “my best at a collective and individual level".
He’ll celebrate it quietly, at least in footballing terms, after Real Madrid’s game with Celta Vigo on Sunday evening was postponed. Though at least he’ll have a bit more time to cherish and reflect on what a remarkable 12 months it’s been with his loved ones.
Awards galore
Let’s recap: La Undécima, the European Super Cup and the Club World Cup (in which he was named best player) with Real Madrid, as well as the European Championships with Portugal, were his team trophies. And then there were the individual awards: European Footballer of the Year, FIFA The Best Player 2016, and of course, the Ballon d’Or. In addition to this divine trinity, he added another eight personal gongs, such as honours from prestigious magazines like World Soccer and FourFourTwo. The Portuguese also signed contract renewal until 2021, lest we forget, back in November
The only tarnishes on an almost perfect year were the tax evasion accusations and the knee injury he sustained in the Euro 2017 final which forced him to miss most of that game, as well as the whole of preseason.
Period of transition continues
Now Cristiano enters his 33rd year in a period of curious transition; one from his traditional position of a roaming attacker to that of an all-out centre forward. It’snot been an easy switch to make, with questions continually being asked about his ability to do so with the maximum effectiveness we’ve come to expect, but then again, he’s still the club’s top scorer this season with 20 goals.
However, with some fans left unsatisfied over the lesser impact that Ronaldo is now able to make in matches, strangely enough, the striker’s wonderful year ended on somewhat of a sour note when frustration manifested in whistles from the Bernabéu crowd last week. Ronaldo though responded in the only way he knows how: with a goal and a match-winning performance.
Here’s to another magnificent 12 months, Ronnie, and if you have it your way, here's to another right playing at the top!
