Cristiano Ronaldo should learn from Eden Hazard’s honesty about his own form

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Cristiano Ronaldo’s struggles at Manchester United this season have been the main reason driving his recent meltdown.

Ronaldo’s TV interview with Piers Morgan has effectively blown up his United career, with BBC Sport reporting the club are looking at legal routes to cancel his contract.

In his two-part interview, Ronaldo hit out at United as a club, and manager Erik ten Hag, even criticising the young players.

When it came to his own form, Ronaldo accepted no responsibility – simply pointing the finger at those around him for causing him to lack motivation.

Nowhere was he prepared to admit that he has lost his edge, and is a shadow of the player he once was.

Ronaldo should learn from Eden Hazard

Former Chelsea star Eden Hazard signed for Real Madrid in 2019 for a staggering fee with the potential to rise to £130 million.

Hazard’s time at Real has not been a success, for a variety of reasons, from injury to loss of confidence.

In a frank admission to L’Equipe, Hazard says he cannot match his previous levels.

He said: “To be honest, this level of 2018, I no longer have it. I do not show it, but I suffered too much, mentally and physically. I’m not ashamed to say it.

“In 2018, I was maybe in the top 10 in the world. Am I going to come back to it? I don’t think so. But if my body allows me, I can still do great things.”

Hazard’s frank admission is a candid one we never really hear from fading stars. And it is one Cristiano Ronaldo could learn from.

We all can see Ronaldo is not the player he was during his Real Madrid peak, it’s very evident, and right now he isn’t even the same player he was at Juventus.

Yet in his approach, Ronaldo continues as if he is still at the peak of his powers and expects to start every single game and play for 90 minutes.

He cannot accept being a substitute, even though it is warranted. This soon won’t be Manchester United’s problem, he will head elsewhere to continue his career – where he will likely run into the same issues.

Until Ronaldo can accept his shortcomings in comparison to his previous levels, he will continue to struggle mentally.

There is no shame in being unable to sustain the unprecedented level of success he set. Ronaldo just needs to accept he is not the same player he was.