Why the Real Madrid boo-boys need to tone it down and support their team 

Real Madrid are recognised as one of the best football clubs in the world. The club have a glorious history and were acknowledged as the FIFA Club of the 20th Century on 11 December 2000. The team is always expected to perform well both in domestic and European competitions. However, the team has a set of fans who are quite demanding.

Undoubtedly, every football supporter wants their club to perform well and win silverware. But it is during your tough days, as a player or as a club, you cherish the support of fans. Sadly, for the past few years, we have not been able to see such support from the Real Madrid fans.

Real Madrid recently claimed their 33rd La Liga title after having to wait for five years. The club also ended its wait of 12 long years for winning its 10th Champions League title, or La Decima, under former manager Carlo Ancelotti. Since then, the team has been able to win two more Champions League titles back to back, becoming the first club to do so in the restructured competition.

Yet, the supporters at Bernabeu are quick to raise their finger even if the team slip up. The current season of La Liga is an example of the same. Real Madrid have drawn two games and lost one so far. Much to fans' despair, these points dropped have come on their home turf. The fans were disappointed and some of the players were booed, even though it's still early days and the players were still getting back to their peak after the offseason.

It wasn't the first case of such behaviour from the Bernabeu. Over the last few years, the Bernabeu ultras have shown their anger towards players like Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale, Keylor Navas, James Rodriguez and Danilo. Even the four-time Ballon d'Or winner, Cristiano Ronaldo and veteran Goalkeeper, Iker Casillas, were unable to stay away from the scrutiny of Bernabeu boo boys.

When the home side are not performing well -- either they're drawing or losing a game -- the Madrid fans at the stadium become quite vocal. To the players' disappointment, instead of spurring them, the fans start jeering them.

It doesn't help the team as the crowd target specific players. As a result, the team, subsequently, plays under more pressure. The players don't feel like they are playing at their home stadium and fail to deliver under such conditions more often than not.

Former Real Madrid defender Pepe opined players will have to get used to the boo-boys

As Pepe quoted recently after his arrival at Turkish side Besiktas from Real Madrid, “At times when playing for Real Madrid, we had to motivate ourselves as the fans were not so passionate.”

“Here at Besiktas, every player heads onto the pitch fully motivated to perform well with the aid of the great support.”

Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema are the two players who have been the constant subject of criticism among the Bernabeu fans. The Welshman had injury problems last season and had no support from the fans when he returned to the field.

Even during the game against Valencia this season, Bale was again at the receiving end of jeers from fans. After the match, Madrid left-back, Marcelo was quoted saying: "When you get booed you have to work to stop getting booed."

"They (the fans) have a right to boo and ask for the improvement of the players, the coach..."

But, one can be forgiven to think that the Brazilian might end up stating exactly what his former teammate Pepe opined after he leaves Real Madrid or retires from professional football.

Karim Benzema has been dealing with boos since he joined them. The Real Madrid number 9 has never been given enough credit for his goals, something they're desperately missing now. Despite being bright against Barcelona in 2017 Spanish Super Cup win, the fans were quick to raise their finger against the Frenchman.

Cristiano Ronaldo asked the Real Madrid fans to stop booing him after he scored a hat-trick against Bayern Munich to help his side into the semi-finals of the Champions League, last season. There was another occasion previous season when he was quoted saying: "It’s not correct (the booing). And when you are on a difficult run that is when you need extra support from outside not less. Sometimes we don’t have it."

"I spent a lot of years at Manchester United, and it never happened to me. Not even once. Maybe England is a case apart – the mentality is different."

Cristiano Ronaldo is known to have excellent mental strength and often comes out with his best even when the situation is against him. Such statements by the Portuguese clearly show how a player of such charisma can still get unsettled if he doesn't have the support of fans during the tough times.

Support of the fans certainly gives a boost to the players and the Bernabeu faithful should understand that. The team can't always win, and a player cannot be at his peak every time. Real Madrid players certainly deserve a little more respect from their fans. Don't you think so?