Only when Cristiano Ronaldo hang up his boots would the world truly appreciate his worth to the beautiful game of football.

Cristiano, 34 is a living legend – for his gift and all he has achieved in the round leather game. However, the reality is that 'Cristiano is no more Cristiano'!

Since switching from Real Madrid – where he enjoyed massive success – to Juventus, Ronaldo – who has metamorphosed from a skillful winger, cutting in from the left and right leaving defenders hapless, to a prolific ‘netshaker’ has seen his rating dwindle.

The drop was not noticeable last season – his first in Italy. But this term, since Juve kickstarted their season officially at Parma in August, Ronaldo has been far from the player fans used to know.

Indeed, at Real Madrid where he spent nine seasons, Ronaldo scored goals for fun. Repeatedly, he netted treble; quadruple in a game and recorded five-goal hauls. But even as he is ever-present in the Bianconeri team, he is yet to register a Serie A hat-trick!

Last season, he was No.4 on the goalscorers’ chart behind Fabio Quagliarella and co. The same period he could not challenge Lionel Messi to the prize of UEFA Champions League top scorer.

This season in Italy, he is way behind (5 goals, compared to Ciro Immobile’s 14).

One cannot fault Coach Maurizio Sarri for carrying out the unusual - hauling Ronaldo off in Juve’s past two games. That was a courageous move by the Italian, as the player in question is undoubtedly a colossal figure whose career has been record-breaking in every way.

Sarri did explain afterwards that it is due to CR7’s physical problems. And, if that is his reason, the trainer is being candid. It has been evident of late!

In his last campaign with Madrid, Cristiano scored 44 goals.

In his debut season with Juventus, he scored 28 with one less game played (43, by 44 in the previous one).

After 14 official matches played with Juventus, the Portuguese star had only scored six goals (in all competitions), two of them from the penalty spot. A figure that is not in tandem with what we have come to expect from him.

When scrutinising his numbers, it is crystal clear his offensive contribution has dropped significantly. Cristiano has gone from generating 1.07 goals per game in his last season with Madrid to producing 0.37 in the current one with Juventus.

In fact, performance-wise, Cristiano is not at his best. ProFootballDB's analysis shows there is indeed a visible decline.
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No..it's the end of the beginning

Everything with a Beginning will surely have an end.

That is blasphemy!!!

Cristiano is Cristiano..

He will continue to be at the top of football as the best out there until he retires..

Just give him creative teammates and you will be proven wrong..

He is special!!