Real Madrid fans saw a different side of Cristiano Ronaldo in the 4-2 home win over Almeria on Saturday when he didn’t celebrate a vital goal with his team-mates and was then sent off for kicking an opponent.
The Portuguese international captain won a controversial 82nd minute penalty with goalkeeper Diego Alves appearing to get a hand on the ball with the score at 2-2 but fluffed his spot-kick only for team-mate Karim Benzema to spare his blushes by slotting in the rebound.
Rather than celebrating with Benzema, Ronaldo strangely walked back to the centre circle in disappointment at missing his penalty although Frenchman Benzema played down the incident afterwards.
Benzema told reporters that Ronaldo later apologized to his team-mates in the changing room. Benzema added that Ronaldo was disappointed to miss the penalty but was happy when he scored the rebound.
He added that Ronaldo is a great professional and wants the team to win.
Real coach Manuel Pellegrini defended Ronaldo’s behaviour saying the world’s most expensive player didn’t have any problems with his team-mates.
Minutes later Ronaldo scored Real’s fourth goal rolling in from close range and ripped off his shirt to celebrate earning him a yellow card for his trouble and it proved a significant booking.
Frustrated by being on the receiving end of shirt-tugs and late challenges, the former Manchester United man was justifiably sent off in the closing stages for kicking Juanma Ortiz completing an action-packed ten minutes for Ronaldo
Ronaldo’s red card means he is now suspended for next weekend’s trip to rivals Valencia having only just returned to action following his ankle injury. Ronaldo told reporters that it is a game that he really wanted to play and therefore he is disappointed.
Ronaldo Penalty Miss
Ronaldo Red Card