The other day I was browsing my news feed and spotted an interesting “meme” which was created by fellow football fan. One the top-level was a photo of superstar Cristiano Ronaldo and on the bottom was a picture of Zlatan Ibrahimovic giving Austrian defender Rubin Okotie a terrifying glare after he decided for no reason at all, to push the big Swede. Beneath Ronaldo read “If Ronaldo did the same thing as Ibra he would be called arrogant and racist” and beneath Zlatan read “but because it was Ibra everyone loves him, this is exactly what is wrong with the world today…”
Before I dig my teeth into the body of the meme, I want to quickly address that there are greater issues outside the world of football that will show what is “wrong” with the world. Not the difference in popularity or opinion about the likes of Ronaldo and Ibrahimovic. Another thing which needs addressing is, I wouldn’t go as far to say that fans would consider Ronaldo “racist” if he did so, as in Ibra’s actions there is no glaring evidence of racism. If the defender was of any other race, the same wouldn’t be said. But the word arrogance is the crux of the argument. When it comes to arrogance, Cristiano is almost always, in every case, paired with the word. The perspective of Ibrahimovic by the fan is fair and it makes total sense. This is the same Euro 2016 qualifier match where Ibra allegedly elbowed David Alaba. You can watch the video here:
That situation in itself is of bigger proportion and adds on to the idea that the fan would feel the need to show Ibrahimovic in that sortve negative light. But fans must stop and remember, when it comes to physical violence Ronaldo is not innocent. Just a few weeks ago he allegedly punched Athletico Madrid man Diego Godin and it doesn’t not look as though it was an accident. If one is to measure the gravity of both videos, both are terrible. To harm a player in any way is never a proper thing no matter who you are. But the difference is, Ibra does not once look back to make the decision to hit Alaba, nor does he look as though he is intentionally trying to find his head with his elbow. If you notice in the video he is shielding the ball–it’s a common mistake anyone could make. In the case of Ronaldo, I’m not sure the intention could be more blatant. Not once, but twice. Of course one can argue that Diego was wrongfully pulling on Ronaldo’s upper body, but rules are rules, correct? Watch the video here:
This is not to say that Ibrahimovic is innocent by any means. But if a league is suppose to go back and check things–those are the points I’d make for necessary action. And the other enormous difference between these two situations is the way the media has dealt with it. Since the video of Ibra’s alleged elbow has been released, negativity and possible punishment has taken its course. Whereas with Ronaldo’s attack on Godin no further punishment took place. He is lucky as Athleti coach
Diego Simone
openly said he had decided not to take further punishment on the Portugal Captain, yet it still does not make it acceptable.
This brings my point to its homeland. If the fan who created this meme feels as though Ibra got away with being’ arrogant’ and that there are “things wrong with the world” because of it–shouldn’t we be observing the favorites of the sport? What I mean by that is, why are some players getting away with obvious wrong doings and others aren’t?The idea that some players, especially the “golden” ones seem to float on by punishment, while others face heavy penalization?
Source: http://www.elgrafico.mx/
Another point to discuss is the part of the quote which states:
"“because it was Ibra everybody loves him”."
I don’t believe that Zlatan has a greater following than Ronaldo. The Real Madrid man is the most marketable player in the world according to CNN and even if you aren’t a football fan, you know who he is. It’s easy to consider him arrogant when half the time he plays very good football and the other half he is modelling. It is also difficult to see past some unhelpful comments about being “handsome” and “rich”. But Zlatan has also been accused of the same boasting. So what is it that separates their arrogance?
I believe its consistency. Zlatan has presented himself the same way since he came onto the professional scene at Ajax. A famous quote by the Swede when he was only 19, an absolute no one in Europe, was offered a trial at Arsenal. His response to Arsene Wenger was “Zlatan doesn’t do auditions” . His clever one liners and his dry humor has been his strong suit when it comes to the media. We must remember where he comes from as well. Born into an immigrant family with no opportunity, divorced parents, isolated childhood and the battle to be accepted by general Swedish populous. And to revert to Ronaldo, his beginnings were also humble, but not one which gave him a hard shell.
Aug 2, 2014; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo (7) during the second half against the Manchester United at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
With Ronaldo, it’s just easy for fans to dislike him. With the gravity that fame that beholds, its only natural that his arrogance would be inflated to some and not to others. I do think that no matter what people think of him they will never be able to deny his talent. Yet what doesn’t help his cause is his opening up a museum in Medeira dedicated to his legacy or the way advertisers portray his perfect life and perfect wife. He is also confusing as in the media from one interview to the next he claims he must hold back what he is really thinking, to others where he carefully chooses his words. For example his comments about the Portuguese national team by stating “I never though average Portugal could win the World Cup” . As a captain, that isn’t a fair attitude, don’t you think?
In closing, to be fair to all fans, I believe both are arrogant. There is no denying. I just think one man does it better than the other. The way one does it to let himself shine where he must. The other does it where fans see one thing and perhaps ignored another.
Post your thoughts below!