Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo is not used to being questioned, and even less by former teammates. However, an ex-player from Manchester United has just released a declaration that may deeply upset the fivefold Ballon d'Or. A surprising criticism that has already triggered lively debates among fans.
Ronaldo absent from a prestigious top 5
This incendiary declaration comes from Edwin Van der Sar, former emblematic goalkeeper of Manchester United and Ronaldo partner during one of the most splendid periods of the English club. Invited by Goal to quote his five favorite players of all time, the Dutch porter did not hesitate to completely snub CR7, surprising him from his prestigious personal classification.
Instead, Van der Sar preferred to honor other legends of the round ball such as Zinedine Zidane, Ryan Giggs, Lionel Messi, Diego Maradona and Johan Cruyff, his compatriot, placed at the top of this symbolic hierarchy. A daring, even provocative choice, given the historical complicity that he maintained with Ronaldo at Old Trafford, where they won the Premier League and the Champions League together in 2008.
Van der sar rolling Ronaldo from his legendary top 5
A calculated or simple objectivity provocation?
This absence challenges all the more since Van der Sar shared the field with Ronaldo 167 times, and was a direct witness to the spectacular exploits of the Portuguese. So how to explain this polemical choice? Is it a disguised criticism towards Ronaldo, or simply the sincere testimony of an objective man?
Some observers see it as a form of ingratitude or even a personal resentment, but others recall that the names cited by the former Dutch goalkeeper are just as legitimate and deserving to be in such a classification. Zidane, Messi, Maradona and Cruyff are actually considered among the largest virtuosos in world football, and the absence of Ronaldo, although surprising, can be understood from this purely sporting angle.
The reaction of divided fans
This media outing obviously was not long in causing passionate reactions on social networks, particularly among fervent supporters of the Portuguese, who cry out in scandal. Many people do not understand how Van der Sar has been able to neglect a player whose statistics are so eloquent: more than 938 career goals, five gold balls and records broken in all the clubs where he has passed.
But, conversely, some fans highlight the legitimacy of the choice of Van der Sar, recalling that this is only a personal and subjective assessment of the game, in no way constituting a direct insult to Ronaldo.
