HE'S SELFISH, DOESN'T DEFEND, DOESN'T PASS, DISAPPEARS IN BIG GAMES AND IS EASILY RATTLED...:

Why Cristiano Ronaldo is failing as Portugal captain: Too often the captain sets a bad example for his players and the armband is perhaps affecting his performances (Thomas Wood, 6/20/10, guardian.co.uk)

Portugal nil, Ivory Coast nil. Eleven minutes gone and Cristiano Ronaldo dances past two Ivorians before unleashing a 35‑yard drive which clatters off the post. Eight minutes later Ronaldo is felled by Guy Demel before quickly returning to his feet and getting involved in a foul‑mouthed tussle with the Ivorian and receiving an early yellow card for his troubles. It is another 37 minutes before we see Ronaldo again.

Brilliance and controversy are not unfamiliar to the young Madeirense, yet he is undoubtedly the best player of a generation. When the vice‑president of the Portuguese FA passed away in 2007 his dying wish had been to make the "kid" captain. Luiz Felipe Scolari obliged and the then 22‑year‑old walked out with the armband to face Brazil on a cold night in February. In July 2008 Carlos Queiroz made the choice permanent.

Cafes, bars and taxis up and down the country were at odds with this selection: on the one hand, his brilliance lights up games with dribbles and free‑kicks; on the other, he is selfish and hotheaded.

...a perfect captain, eh?

Posted by Orrin Judd at June 20, 2010 8:22 AM