If you can’t end the international break with a win, then a draw and a day of relentlessly ribbing Ronaldo will do.
Scotland‘s 0-0 draw with Portugal to get a first Nations League point on the board was the cake. Ronaldo huffng his way around the Hampden pitch before a final whistle melt down then storming off up the tunnel was the cherry on top. He was wasteful in front of goal as Roberto Martinez’s side struggled to break Steve Clarke’s men down despite enjoying the lion’s share of possession.
The initial tongue in cheek booing of Ronaldo at his first touch got more vociferous as the night went on, accompanied by plenty of ‘waheeys’ at a few comedy errors. Constant moans to the ref and teammates only further encouraged the Tartan Amy, who seemed to get under the superstar’s skin. And it all boiled just before the final whistle, when he was denied a corner before the ref blew up.
That led to a sarcastic bow with a sleep of the hand, some applause chucked in for good measure and wild gesticulating as he headed straight up the tunnel, shouting in portuguese as he went, sent on his way with the usual hand gestures from a less than adoring home support.
Of course, where there is Ronaldo, there are his obsessive social media fans. There’s nothing wrong with idolising geats of the game. But it’s reached a cult like level with a number who seem to support the player rather than any particular club (there are just as many for great rival and contemporary Lionel Messi, in fairness, although Ronaldo will want to win that meaningless count as well). He can do no wrong in their eyes.
But as one has found out to his cost, we might be able to slag of the Scottish game, but woe betide any outsiders who put the boot in. The English “my nan could” brigade are a classic og the genre. And now one Ronaldo worshiping account has seen their hubris come back to bite them.
When you post “Teams like Scotland need to be banned from football,” you better hope your particular favourites are at least able to beat them. Ronaldo couldn’t do that, and inevitably, his “highlight” from Tuesday were clipped up and the original post quoted, with the comedic theme from Curb Your Enthusiasm soundtracking the reel of headers over the bar, shots off target, a farcical free-kick routine and that tantrum at the end.