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Cristiano Ronaldo turns his back on the media amid Real Madrid’s recent slump
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Cristiano Ronaldo has told reporters that he will not speak to the media again until the end of the season, leaving captain Iker Casillas to explain Real Madrid’s recent slump.
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Ronaldo was left seething by Real’s 4-3 defeat to Schalke at the Bernabéu on Tuesday, which meant the Champions League holders progress into the quarter-finals of the competition by an aggregate 5-4 scoreline but only after yet another unconvincing display.
Television cameras captured a grim-looking Ronaldo shaking his head and apparently mouthing “disgrace” to Karim Benzema shortly before the end of the game.
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The forward’s two first-half headers had helped keep Real’s hopes of a record-extending 11th European Cup title alive and took his tally in all European competition to a record 78 goals, surpassing Lionel Messi (76) and the former Real striker Raul (77). However, they were one of the few bright spots in a generally weak showing that came on the back of the 1-0 defeat at Athletic Bilbao at the weekend which cost Real top spot in La Liga.
The loss to Schalke was their first home defeat in the Champions League in 22 matches and the players were whistled off the pitch by angry home fans, many of whom waved white handkerchiefs in the traditional sign of discontent.
“The team has again failed to reach the level of recent months but what’s important is that we realise that,” Casillas said. “We have to understand the Madrid fans and today we weren’t up to the standards of Real Madrid and the Champions League last 16.
“We were made to sweat too much but what we have to do is be more united than ever. Although we fell short of what was required, we did enough to get through.”
Real have little time to set things right with a trip to Barcelona on 22 March. They host Levante on Sunday, when they could find themselves four points behind their bitter rivals, who play at Eibar on Saturday.
