I Am Scouted by Real Madrid

Chapter 870: Chapter 85: Champions League Final! (2)

Among these 40 goals, there are 28 scored with the right foot, 8 with the left foot, 4 with headers; 6 were scored from outside the box, 8 were penalties, and 4 were direct free kicks.

This week, data provided by the Athletic Club website show that Zarra scored 38 goals in 30 league matches (1950-1951 season), an efficiency that is astonishing; Hugo Sanchez also scored 38 goals in 35 matches during the 1989-1990 season, with every goal being a single-touch finish, fully demonstrating Sanchez’s extraordinary shooting skills, whereas C. Ronaldo only managed 13 single-touch finishes.

Both C. Ronaldo and Chen Zhong have scored many goals, but the two players have significant differences.

C. Ronaldo has attempted far more shots than Chen Zhong, with more diverse shooting techniques, and has been fouled by opponents more frequently.

However, Chen Zhong’s assist count far exceeds C. Ronaldo’s, topping La Liga with 19 assists compared to C. Ronaldo’s 9.

Additionally, Chen Zhong actively participates in the team’s overall offense and defense, which happens to be C. Ronaldo’s weak point.

C. Ronaldo himself is aware of this, as he stated after the league concluded: ”I rely on my teammates’ help to create goal records.” Sometimes, C. Ronaldo’s individualism inevitably draws criticism.

For instance, in the recent Madrid Derby, when Chen Zhong’s goal put Real Madrid ahead, C. Ronaldo not only did not celebrate with teammates but also continuously complained about the referee not awarding him a penalty.

Perhaps for this reason, some players from other teams, when asked about C. Ronaldo, did not offer their views. Among the players, individuals like C. Ronaldo seem not to be very popular. Of course, some players and coaches are outspoken and clearly express their opinions about C. Ronaldo.

Hugo Sanchez: ”He should increase his single-touch shots.”

”Zarra’s header skills are impressive, while I excel in using all parts of my body to shoot, including the famous bicycle kick. C. Ronaldo has excellent physical conditions, suiting the needs of modern football. When we played, the physical fitness of players wasn’t as emphasized. I faced many tall and strong defenders during matches. When people meet me on the street, they say: ’You aren’t as small as expected.’ Like me, C. Ronaldo is a free kick and penalty expert. I believe that, if C. Ronaldo didn’t waste time controlling the ball, he would score more goals. Individualism? It’s not a shortcoming but a strength. In the past, I was also criticized for this, but a forward must be somewhat selfish to score many goals.”

Santillana: ”If he weren’t so obsessed with shooting...”

”C. Ronaldo has great jumping ability, hangs in the air for a long time, and his heading is excellent. He can shoot in various ways: right foot, left foot, header. He is very fast, strong, and can run across the field during the 90-minutes match. In our time, strikers usually operated within the 20-25 meter range in front of the opponent’s goal. Having such incredible players like Chen Zhong and him appearing at Real Madrid simultaneously is extraordinary. If, in some situations, he weren’t so obsessed with shooting, he would, like Chen Zhong, participate more in the team’s overall coordination. Of course, if we try to change him, he might not be the C. Ronaldo we know today. Additionally, his strong self-drive and playing for a team with a straightforward approach provide him with many scoring opportunities. In short, he is an outstanding forward with incredible energy.”

Cesar (former Real Madrid goalkeeper, now playing for Valencia): ”With or without C. Ronaldo, Real Madrid plays well.”

”Unlike Zarra and Hugo Sanchez, C. Ronaldo isn’t a genuine center forward, he likes to shoot from different positions, similar to Messi. For such a player, it’s important not where he stands, but where he initiates, which aligns with modern football characteristics. Compared to past players, C. Ronaldo’s records are even more remarkable, given today’s intense competition in world football. His scoring methods are diverse, his right foot, left foot, and headers are all of high standard, and free kicks and one-on-one situations are his strengths. He is quite versatile, and through his performances, people have forgotten his hefty transfer fee (93 million euros). He plays with great power, though not as powerful as my teammate Tino Costa. Powerful players can be intimidating on the field. Does C. Ronaldo need improvement? I’ll use basketball as an analogy, as I frequently watch it: When Oscar Schmidt Becerra scored 40 points for Valladolid, his team lost; when he scored 20, his team won instead. C. Ronaldo can attract defenders’ attention on the field, allowing players like Di Maria, Ozil, Higuain, or Kaka to have more space, an aspect Real Madrid needs to improve. Of course, whether C. Ronaldo is on or off the field, Real Madrid plays well; they have many resources to utilize.”

Antic: ”He should pass more.”

”C. Ronaldo is C. Ronaldo, with his strengths and weaknesses. I was Hugo Sanchez’s coach, and his goals were almost always scored inside the small box, which is very different from C. Ronaldo’s situation, but both are obsessed with scoring. C. Ronaldo needs improvement in passing; he makes too few passes. During the 2009 Champions League final, I watched Manchester United vs Barcelona live, but I didn’t like the match because he performed individually, ignoring other teammates and failed to create teamwork. Now in Real Madrid, it’s better; his goals are of high value because Real Madrid doesn’t emphasize coordination, almost not utilizing flanks due to lacking wingers like Mitchell or Gordillo who passed precisely before. I’m uncertain about which position C. Ronaldo performs better. In the ’El Clasico’ against Barcelona, C. Ronaldo played as a center forward to avoid opposing full-backs Adriano or Alves. Sometimes he plays as a winger as he did at Manchester United, making it difficult for me to pinpoint his best position.”

Pique (Barcelona player): ”He tirelessly practices free kicks.”

”His playing style leaves a deep impression. Few players can combine power and precision like he does. I remember when he was at Manchester United, he often practiced free kicks for hours, never tiring. Through his own efforts, he continually improves and perfects himself. Furthermore, he has various ways to outmaneuver defenders, making it difficult to defend against him. He can beat opponents from both sides and can shoot the ball from any position.”

De Albert (Valencia player): ”He is more comprehensive than Messi.”

”He is truly a beast. No one has his physical condition, nor anyone possesses his power. He can shoot with both feet, excels at headers, and from this perspective, he might be more comprehensive than Messi. Moreover, C. Ronaldo is adept at evading and dribbling. Messi’s heading and right foot are his weak points.”

Butragueño: ”He is a very approachable star.”

”C. Ronaldo has an extremely strong drive for success. Throughout a match, he relentlessly pursues goals, seeming unaffected by everything around him. If the score is 3:0, some players might relax, but not C. Ronaldo; he never gets complacent, exerting himself fully every minute. Despite being a star, he is approachable. He trains hard daily, with impeccable professionalism. During training and matches, he doesn’t overlook any detail. His physical condition is remarkable, fast, powerful, making it tough for opponents to defend him. During counter-attacks, he is a frightening player. But when the opponents concentrate their defenses at the back, he faces difficulties. From 25 meters out, both his right and left feet can strike the ball with great power. When facing defense, he usually opts to push the ball to the right before shooting. In recent months, his sense of teamwork has improved, but he still has room for significant advancement. He typifies the new generation of players: he can play in three front-line positions and even as an attacking midfielder. Since he is still young, it’s unclear if he has reached his pinnacle. With such good conditions and physical coordination, he should logically have more room for improvement. His statistics are astonishing; others find it hard to achieve the same heights under similar circumstances.”

De Gea (Atletico Madrid goalkeeper): ”The trajectory of the ball changes greatly when he shoots.”

”C. Ronaldo’s playing style is unlike anyone else’s. When he shoots, the power is immense; even if you judge the direction correctly it’s tough to save. The trajectory of the ball changes considerably; you must act at the last moment, even if you study his free kicks, sometimes you don’t have time to react, Chen? I don’t want to mention him.”