Cristiano Ronaldo’s slow start should not worry Real Madrid
By Roy Emanuel
One of football’s best has yet to hit top form – but the check is in the mail.
Real Madrid began the 2017-18 season with a difficult mission, looking to improve upon a campaign in which they captured a league and European double. Los Blancos are still focused on making those honours a reality again once more, but one of their superstars has not been up to his usual standards just yet.
Cristiano Ronaldo has played in two La Liga matches thus far since serving a five-match suspension, and has not scored a goal. Real Madrid currently sit sixth in the table with 11 points.
The Portuguese forward did bag a brace in the team’s first UEFA Champions League group stage match against APOEL Nicosia, and will be looking to add more at Borussia Dortmund this week.
A surprising loss to Real Betis was cause for concern, but manager Zinedine Zidane knows what he has and what to expect from CR7.
And fans have seen it all before as well.
Look no further than last term
Ronaldo had a very busy summer last year, leading Portugal to the Euro 2016 crown in France.
The winger suffered a knee injury in the final, and saw his production take time to materialise for Madrid when the league season began.
But even with missing several matches and working his way back to full fitness, Ronaldo displayed his typical jaw-dropping form as the fixtures became more and more important.
The 32-year-old finished 2016-17 with 42 goals across all competitions.
Los Merengues are seven points back of first-place Barcelona, and will aim for nothing less than three points when they host Espanyol on Sunday evening.
But even without a perfect start, there should be confidence in the squad’s best player.
Next: Cristiano Ronaldo's top ten all-time goals
Real Madrid and Cristiano Ronaldo have already enjoyed historical success together. Despite initial struggles, the club’s marquee talent will ultimately deliver yet again in 2017-18.