If only...it was cricket!
It looks as if Cristiano Ronaldo is finally getting the recognition he deserves. Many of his detractors are now swallowing hastily their words and praising one of the top football players on the planet... if not the best (yet).
Gone are the snide remarks about the "winking pariah" who, for lack of a better escapegoat, was made to pay for the poor performances of the English squad in that tournament.
The fact that Ronaldo was displaying his craft in England, made him the butt of jokes and target of the vilest remarks ever being made openly from all quarters including the national press and broadcasting media! He was labelled a Traitor!? Ok, one understands the lack of knowledge of the majority of the so called football fans, but have they forgotten that Cristiano Ronaldo was playing for his country, Portugal? Had Rooney, say, done the same, he would no doubt be hailed as a national hero for doing whatever he could to bring victory to his team. Alas, all he did was to bring shame to a team already in desarray and what better escapegoat that the "boy wonder" Ronaldo, who in a show of great courage and personality would return to these shores to enthrall and possibly even captivate those who only a few months ago were "demonising" him.... 'cause he is not english! Aren't they glad he does not play cricket, too?