Ronaldo: The Obsession for Perfection - Book review

Ronaldo’s exceptional humanitarian gestures are also aptly revealed. In chapter nine of the book, it is revealed how Cristiano Ronaldo went out of his way to help a seven-year-old boy Martunis – a victim of the dreadful Tsunami which claimed 230,000 lives in December 2004 in south-east Asia. Martunis was adrift for nineteen days and survived by eating whatever he could and drinking sea-water, and was weak, dehydrated and covered with insect bites. He was wearing his favourite shirt, the Portuguese football team’s red and green strip. An emotional Ronaldo invited Martunis to Portugal to witness the national team playing where he handed over a cheque for 40,000 Euros, the money contributed by members of the national team. On June 11 2005, Ronaldo went to Banda Aceh, an Indonesian island ruined by tsunami. Shocked at what he saw, Ronaldo auctioned three of his shirts from Portugal and Manchester United, a pair of boots and a signed football and collaborated with the Indonesian vice-president Jusuf Kalla to raise around 60,000 pounds to rebuild Aceh.

His football career with both Portugal and Manchester United is well-documented. His rise to fame in Euro 2004 and his tears when Portugal was upset 0-1 by Greece in the final are all shown. His commitment was exemplified when he played in a vital World Cup qualifier against Russia in September 2005, a day after he received news of his father’s death due to alcoholism.

The book is not just about his success with Manchester United. It reveals how he adjusted in England, the struggles he faced – like being accused of rape by a French woman in October 2005 for which he was later found innocent – and the media ordeal from the British tabloids after his alleged role in getting Wayne Rooney sent off in the 2006 World Cup. Ronaldo’s version is also shown; he texted Rooney after the game to eliminate any misunderstandings. The book shows that this incident helped him mature as a player. The role of Alex Ferguson in making Ronaldo a complete team man is also well-documented.

The highlight of the book is the detailed focus on important incidents in Ronaldo’s life, which are told from an insider’s view point. His tears of happiness when, even though his penalty kick was saved in the 2008 UEFA Champions League final, his club Manchester United went on to win the title, his speech after receiving the FIFA World Player of the year award from Pele in 2008, and the dream final in Rome against Barcelona in 2009.

Finally, the book focuses on behind-the-scene activities that led to his transfer to Real Madrid for 80 million pounds, which was officially announced on June 11 2009. It also shows the hysteria at the Bernabeu when he arrived to sign for Real Madrid. The book then traces his career with Real Madrid, his intense rivalry with Lionel Messi, his frustration at being regularly overtaken by Messi for the World Player of the Year award, and his relationship with Jose Mourinho.

The closing chapters are very fascinating as they document his passions and obsessions. His love for table tennis, tennis and music, and his family home at Madeira are shown. His obsessions for fitness and to ban cigarette smoking are written about in detail. There is also a thoughtful chapter in which three journalists -a Portuguese, an Englishman and a Spanish-Argentine – discuss Ronaldo’s future and how he will fare when he loses his cutting edge – his speed. Overall, it is a delightful and thought-provoking book about a global super star with many critical insights and also a lot of compassion.

You can buy the book at the Sportskeeda Store.