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What's the story?
Football fans across the globe were left furious at Real Madrid after the club refused to send birthday wishes to their all-time top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo on February 5.
In case you didn't know...
Former clubs, teammates and fans worldwide sent birthday wishes to Ronaldo throughout the day, as the Juventus star celebrated his 34th year yesterday.
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The Portuguese ace also shares his birthday with fellow football stars Neymar Jr and Carlos Teves.
After his big break at Manchester United, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner spent nine successful years at Real Madrid, where he won four UEFA Champions League titles, two La Liga trophies and several individual accolades.
The 34-year-old established himself as a legend at the club, producing performances that were difficult to match in the history of the game.
Last summer, the former Red Devils star made a switch to Serie A giants Juventus, much to the shock and despair of Los Blancos fans.
The heart of the matter
Ronaldo's legacy at the Santiago Bernabeu is precisely why the fans were left outraged when they discovered that the club did not send the Portuguese a birthday message.
A section of his fans have slammed the European champions for the silence on social media, with some even referencing Ronaldo's comments about Real Madrid not being a family.
A month ago, Ronaldo told Italian newspapers (via Goal), "Here, we are a squad, elsewhere, some players feel bigger than the others. Instead, here, everyone is on the same level, they are humble and want to win."
"For me, it is beautiful, to feel that difference. Also at Madrid, they are humble, but here I feel that sense more."
"It's very different to Madrid, here it is more of a family."
While some fans called Real Madrid ungrateful and classless, others hoped they would lose tonight's Clasico clash.
What's next?
Real Madrid is getting ready to face rivals Barcelona in a much-awaited Clasico at the Copa del Rey semi-final later tonight.
