Ronaldo is playing under protest – Valdano
The former Real Madrid general manager is in no doubt that the Portuguese forward is disillusioned with Rafael Benitez’s tactical approach
Jorge Valdano says that Cristiano Ronaldo is currently “playing under protest”, claiming that the Real Madrid attacker is unhappy at allegedly being played out of position by coach Rafael Benitez.
Ronaldo has netted eight times in 11 Liga outings so far this term but five of those strikes came in one game, away to Espanyol in the middle of September.
Interestingly, he has drawn a blank in seven Primera Division games in total and there is mounting speculation in the Spanish capital that the Portugal international is not best pleased at being deployed in a more central position by Benitez, who succeeded Carlo Ancelotti as boss during the summer.
Former Madrid general manager Valdano is in no doubt that Ronaldo is disillusioned with life at the Santiago Bernabeu right now.
“Ronaldo would prefer to be playing out on the left like he’s always done,” the World Cup winner explained to Cadena SER.
“It’s hard to know if it’s because he’s not scoring, or his position, but he’s not enjoying playing at the moment.
“He’s playing under protest.”
Ronaldo failed to net as Madrid lost 3-2 at Sevilla on Sunday to fall three points behindn Liga leaders Barcelona, whom they host after the international break, on November 21.
