With Rafa Benitez appointment at Real Madrid confirmed, it will be worth keeping an eye on Cristiano Ronaldo’s social media accounts.
The Portuguese, don’t forget, was quick to use digital media to offer his support for Carlo Ancelotti just before the Italian was sacked, expressing his hope that they would work together next season despite clearly knowing by then that such ascenario was highly unlikely.
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Whether Ronaldo will be so eager to welcome his new coach remains to be seen. But if the 55 million followers of Ronaldo’s Twitter and Instagram accounts are confronted by a wall of silence upon Benitez’s formal introduction, it could spell trouble ahead.
As the most high-profile player at the club and one of the most influential characters within the dressing room, a few positive words from last season’s La Liga leading scorer could go a long way towards dispelling some of the negative
energy surrounding Madrid’s pursuit of Benitez.
It wouldn’t take much effort. Ten seconds would be all that’s required for CR7 to merrily tweet something along the lines of: “Looking forward to working with Rafa Benitez, a great coach.”
Rafa Benítez steps out onto the Bernabéu pitch after his presentation. #WelcometoRealMadrid pic.twitter.com/dITxkWRltE
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadriden) June 3, 2015
That would mean a great deal because Benitez, for sure, needs Ronaldo.
For starters, he needs the boost in status among supporters which a few kind words from Real’s star player would provide.
He also needs Ronaldo’s support in the dressing room, helping to reassure any players who might be wavering over whether or not Benitez is worthy of their backing.
And most of all, Benitez needs Ronaldo on the pitch, where his ability as one of the most potent goalscorers of all-time will surely play a crucial role in determining how much success he enjoys.
Even though they were long-time foes at Manchester United and Liverpool, there is no particular reason why Ronaldo should be unhappy with the identity of his new coach.
They do not have any history of personal animosity during their time in England, and professionals are usually able to easily rise above the tribal rivalries that so easily inflame fans – note, for example, Iker Casillas’s long-standing close friendship with Barcelona captain Xavi. But Ronaldo was clearly indignant with Ancelotti’s dismissal – not the first time he’s had a difference of opinion with club president Florentino Perez.
Rafa Benitez honours with Spanish clubs. Surprised he got the job. He’ll turn Cristiano into Dirk Kuyt pic.twitter.com/pcl3GQvJFp
— JΛY BUCKS (@TheMasterBucks) June 3, 2015
And if the back-to-back Ballon d’Or winner feels that he needs another excuse to further cool his relationship with his employers, the arrival of a coach who has won precious little in the last decade could be an explosive scenario.
There have even been suggestions that Ronaldo will be sold this summer, which is unlikely but not entirely impossible if Perez
receives an outlandish offer for a 30 year-old who is starting to cause him too much bother.
Assuming Ronaldo stays, however, obsessive tactician Benitez will have plenty of thinking to do. Does he keep his biggest game-winner in the left-wing role he has occupied for the last few years, or move him into a more central position?
Plenty believe Ronaldo’s changing style would benefit from such a transition, but whether the player himself does is a different matter.
And if he doesn’t fancy it, Benitez may soon learn that the coach doesn’t make all the decisions at Real Madrid.
