Ronaldo and Bale in the same team?

If the current news of the transfer market is to become reality, fans – football fans around the world will have a mouth watering match up -  imagine this, Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale – playing for Real Madrid, and Lionel Messi and Neymar playing for Barcelona. What a match up that would be. Let’s focus on the former – Ronaldo and Bale, will it work?...
Yes Gareth Bale has been and will continue to – be breathtaking to watch. Bale has step up big time, since the days as a leftback from Southampton. And yes imagine the prospect of Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale in the same team. But hang on a minute, it seems that one little fact has been forgotten. Real Madrid nowadays (with their Galacticos policy) is about individuals. Unlike Barcelona where football is based on teamwork, work ethics and collectivities of players, Real Madrid has always been about that one (or small group of) super signing player(s). Over the years the likes of Luis Figo, Zidane, Ronaldo (the other one) has defined the face of Real Madrid. Yet it was player like for example – Claude Makelele that did most of the important work in the team but with little or no recognitions. Hence the arrivals of Carlos Ancelotti – whose style centre more on individuality – as well as being able to accommodate interference from the owner or president, seems like match makes in heaven for Real Madrid.

 

However to have Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo in the same team and makes them play outstanding football consistently to their individual capabilities may take more than just a certain managerial style, or having a team with ‘galacticos’. It takes a nonsensical manager who can come in and exert his authority without fear of ‘hurting’ the galaticos’ ego, maybe someone in the mould of Manchester United’s former manager - Sir Alex Ferguson.

Take an example out of their current superstars in the squad, the highest profile goes to Cristiano Ronaldo. The type of player he is, Ronaldo wanted attention all the times and reports of him being ‘unhappy’ did surfaces on numerous occasion last season – of being unable to command enough respects of other players in the team (where Sergio Ramos and Iker Casillas are kings). Former manager Jose Mourinho did highlighted the fact that Ronaldo did have difficulties in accepting a much more defensive role when the games changes. Already reports coming out of Spain claiming Ronaldo will sign a new contract if his demands are met. Among his demands – to be recognized as the number one player in the team, his wages is to be double that of what Gareth Bale will be earning, etc. Gareth Bale on the other hand seems like a ‘down to earth bloke’, regularly preferring families than limelight. There is even suggestion that if Gareth Bale wasn’t a footballer he will simply blend into the background.

 

Therefore the notion of Bale and Ronaldo may work at least initially. But it will ultimately be tested if Bale manages to consistently outperform Ronaldo. Ronaldo being the ‘self appointed untouchable’ will struggle once the adulation goes to Bale, and in turn will claim he ‘is sad’. It is not hard to see why Madrid fans would go Bale in adulation as compare to Ronaldo. Fans, supporters and even people in general are always drawn to humility, especially from those with ‘superstar status’. Hence it is the emotional side of these players which Carlo Ancelotti has to manage, and given his current managerial style it is not hard to imagine he will struggle with the combination of Ronaldo and Bale.