Ronaldo Is Feeling The Strain Under Jose Mourinho

Goal :    Cristiano Ronaldo is a remarkable individual. Once the world’s best player and still the world’s most expensive purchase, the Portugal forward headed Real Madrid to its first silverware in almost three years last week as his side defeated fierce rivals Barcelona to lift the Copa del Rey.

That looked like the beginning of something special for Ronaldo at Madrid, but now he’s upset the ‘Special One’ – and it could be the beginning of the end.

The 26-year-old cut an isolated figure in Wednesday night’s Champions League semifinal defeat against the Catalan giants. Left with an unenviable task up front on his own, he flapped his arms and looked back in despair for support from his team. But he was all alone.

Ronaldo is rumored to have few friends in the dressing-room, due to his attitude on the pitch. He takes the penalties and the plaudits, but never the blame, and it is said to make him an unpopular figure at the club.

His goals – he now has 42 this term – have made him an essential component of the team, however, and Jose Mourinho has been a staunch supporter – at least until now.

But on Wednesday night, something changed. Ronaldo’s sulking was reminiscent of his final days at Manchester United, when he pushed for his ‘dream move’ to Madrid, and after the game, he admitted his frustration at his side’s negative tactics.

“I don’t like it,” he said. “But I have to adapt to what is asked of me.”

That did not go down well with Mourinho, who has decided to drop his countryman for the first time this season. While Xabi Alonso and Lass Diarra are rested, Ronaldo’s absence was not fully explained at today’s press conference ahead of the league match at home to Zaragoza on Saturday.