I have always said, and I will say it again. Cristiano is not the greatest or most graceful footballer to watch, but he's one of the greatest goalscorers that game has ever seen. He proved that again against Wales where he showed he can be dormant for an entire game, and pop up to define it.
I don't know why people find it so hard to accept or don't want to understand the distinction between a great footballer and a great goalscorer. So I shall do my best to try and explain this difference in the best way I can, using this perfect example of the goal scored by Cristiano.
Someone like Maradona was a great footballer, maybe the greatest. Throughout a match, Maradona will dribble, pass, run with the ball, and constantly try and make things happen and affect the game. You will notice his presence because of how many times he's on the ball, trying so many different ways to get a goal for his team.
That is a great footballer.
Cristiano on the other hand can disappear for most of the game. When he gets the ball, he may pass it back or sideways. Rarely will he take on and beat a player, or run into space in possession. But there are times when nobody expect him to appear, and he'll pounce and get a goal. The one he got against Wales was the perfect example for that.
The match was very tight and very even. Cristiano was in and out of the game, but not really testing the keeper or making things happen. Then the cross came into the box, and his leap combined with just how long he hung in the air for reminded me of Pele's goal against Italy in the 1970 final. It was a fantastic headed goal and showed why he is such an amazing goalscorer.
So there is your distinction. Maradona or Messi couldn't do what Cristiano did there for the header, and vice-versa, our Portuguese friend would not be able to do what the Argentines can over ninety minutes. There is the clear difference and I would wish people would just accept the strength and weaknesses of footballers. Not everyone is perfect. The closest to that was Ronaldo, before his knee injury.
France will have seen that goal and know how much of a threat he will be tomorrow. It's very dangerous to have a player that can do nothing for so long and just spring into life to score the goal that changes the course of the match. It means you can never switch off and must always be mindful of him for the entire game. That's just the price you're going to have to pay when you face exceptional goalscorers. HH
Comment Below Using Your Twitter/Facebook Login or Post as Guest