It's been one long year since United sold their talisman, the prolific number 7. Upon his arrival at RM he was forced to wear the number 7+2, which is the "hallowed" number of RM. But CR never warmed to the idea of that number, as he had made a name and moniker out of CR7.
If you want to see inside a footballer's mind, check out the boots. His boots at United always were stitched with "CR7" on them. His boots for Portugal the same. His boots for RM? "CR"...no 7+2. So there you have it.
As he took to the pitch (not sure it could be called that, as it was Candlestick Park...home of the 49ers and Giants) tonight in his first match of the year, CR was once again wearing the number he is synonymous with...7. Raul, or Tutanbaul as the RM disloyals call him, has been adiosed off to the Bundesliga to play with Schalke 04 (I guess 01, 02, and 03 passed on him). CR has made no secret that he really wanted the 7 when he signed for RM. But they saddled him with the other number, largely due to the fact that the once iconic wearer of the number is the honorary face of RM (and is wheeled out every time they want to "remember the good old days"...of winning). What's a guy to do when they do that? "Ummm...no...I will wait for the 7, so just put nothing on the back of my kit!" It doesn't work that way....especially at a club that emphasized the bottom line rather than the score line.
It will be interesting to see how the RM "faithful" treat this affront to their history. Giving up the 7+2? How outrageous. Some even commented that CR wasn't fit to wear the 7, as it still belongs to Raul. CR dismissed this last week with a juicy quote: "I'm sure Raul would want me to have it." hahahaha
It's more like "Raul wished I had never been purchased from United, as it marked the end of his long past-due career." But CR would never say that......out loud.
So what about the "fans?" Spain has an unemployment rate that hovers around the obscene, so when thousands purchased a new "Ronaldo 7+2" shirt last year at full price, although already owning a shirt with the same name and number once occupied by Ronaldo Nazario de Lima (or Fat Ronaldo as he's lovingly called), little did they know that the new Naldo would only keep the number for a year. Will they buy a new shirt with the 7 (Benzema now wears the 7+2...which is laughable as he finds it hard to put the small ball in the big net), or will they teach Ronny a lesson (and RM) by ignoring his new persona?
Time will tell.
RM beat Club America (the Aguilitas) 2-3 tonight in their friendly. CR was crud in the first half, but perked up in the second...managing a few assists along with his freekick (that would have been saved by a better keeper). His lack of work rate, though, is still troubling. America's goal that put them ahead was caused by Ronny not tracking back. After losing the ball...he walked, and the Aguilita boys ran...all the way to score! I'm sure RM's new guru, J-Mo will have a few words about that one.
One thing I'm still laughing about is why Royston Drenthe is still wearing the kit of the self-proclaimed "World's Best Club"? He was horrible last year and looked like he wasn't sure where the goal was tonight. The CA wingers and strikers made mincemeat of him. Poor Royston may not see the beginning of the season with RM.
I knew he couldn't live without his real number
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