Why Cristiano Ronaldo has declined so much ?

[Someone here]

Had Ronaldo lost his touch?

I’ll start this off by saying I love Ronaldo but his quality of playing is dropping significantly the last couple seasons . Unlike messi which only is 2 years younger than Ronaldo but we all saw how he led Argentina to the world Cup final.

I think most of us expected a slowing down of his pace. But its his decision making and touch which seem to have suffered the most. It might just be me, or a lack of time on the ball but a lot of times he has played recently his touch seems off and shooting and passing have really gone down hill.
Last season he still had a lot of doubters whilst still scoring loads. Despite not playing the full game every week this season how do you think he could change up his game? I  Personally I would love to see him stay in the box more. As he clearly lost his dribbling ability. 

He’s not going to get better as age catches up with him but generally I think it’s lack of game time that’s getting to him more than anything else.

What do you think? 

[Tyler Robinson]

He should retire

[Someone here]

5 minutes ago, Tyler Robinson said:

He should retire

Unfortunately yes . But it wouldn't be a happy ending to his phenomenal career. 

[hyruga]

Because being a good footballer is about 3 things in general: Skills, speed and aggression.

Ronaldo has great skills but lack speed. He doesn't even deny it now. 

He also lost his aggression while playing for United. He no longer push and scramble for the ball at united because his ego was too big. He also seldoms dives for penalties now because he wants a good reputation to end off his career but truth is most players dive including Kane, Martial, Rashford. At Portugal, he still does a bit.

An example of not much aggression is Anthony Martial. He has lots of skills but he just doesn't have the aggression to fight for some balls. When you have a striker who doesn't actively fight for the ball during a corner, you effectively have a vase playing.

Edited December 15, 2022 by hyruga

[Consept]

I think the issue is Ronaldo still thinks he's the best player in the world and unfortunately this is no longer the case. Previously teams like Madrid, Juve and Man United were built around him, meaning he didn't have to worry about tackling or chasing the ball, just give him an opportunity and he would score. This can still be the case but the problem is his contribution outside of goals is so minimal it doesn't make sense putting him in even if you have someone who scores less but contributes in other areas. 

A lot of players who are forwards, when they get older and a bit slower, acknowledge this and usually drop back into midfield, for example Greizeman for France, Rooney, Beckham etc. The exceptions are players that never had pace in the first place like Giroud and Zlatan. 

I feel for Ronaldo because he is being the way he's always been and that has brought a ridiculous amount of success. I can imagine adapting that and accepting you're no longer the best must be very difficult, but this frustration he has can spill over and affect the team. Realistically, he could keep playing by dropping down a level and going somewhere like the mls or the Middle East or even back to Portugal. He also could still play for a big team but would to accept he's not the star anymore. The other issue is his wage demands are insane. 

He maybe better off just retiring, but it looks like his ego is so tired to the title of the goat. 

[UnbornTao]

A bit late to the party, but he's 37. By soccer standards, with that age you're already old for playing optimally and consistently at your best.

He'll probably retire in two years or so.

Edited January 11, 2023 by UnbornTao

[Javfly33]

age