Ronaldo Injury History: The Best Player in the World, Injured Three Times This Season
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If you’ve watched any LaLiga, Champions League or international football this season, you’ll surely have seen Cristiano Ronaldo. His hat trick in Real Madrid’s 7-3 win over Deportivo La Coruna was the perfect illustration of his quality and importance to Los Blancos. Despite his best efforts, however, Ronaldo has been injured three times so far this season. Let’s take a look at how serious these injuries are, and how long he might be out for.
2018-2019 season
Injuries have plagued the Portuguese superstar all season. In October, Ronaldo suffered a thigh injury that kept him out of the Champions League and La Liga matches against Deportivo, Valencia and Alavés. After returning from this injury, Ronaldo would then suffer a thigh injury against Betis in February, followed by a groin injury against Huesca in the Copa del Rey. As of February 20, Ronaldo has been out of the team for three months. But, that’s not all. During the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup, Ronaldo was substituted in the 43rd minute. This sparked immediate concerns among fans, as the player was visibly struggling. After the game, it was revealed that Ronaldo had a “small issue” with his ankle, which had prevented him from playing in the first leg. The injury would keep the player out for another two weeks.
2016-2017 season
By the start of the 2017-2018 season, Ronaldo was back to his best. However, during the first leg of the Champions League tie against PSV Eindhoven, he was injured. The Portuguese forward would be sidelined for a month, missing the second leg as well. Real Madrid would eventually advance to the next round with a 4-1 aggregate win. By the end of the season, Ronaldo had scored a total of 26 goals in La Liga, helping the club to win the league title for the first time in five years. However, his season came to an end in the Champions League final, when he suffered a knee injury just a few minutes into the game. After playing for half an hour, he was substituted out of the game. The Portuguese forward would be out of action for six weeks, as well as the World Cup.
2015-2016 season
Real Madrid’s season ended with a whimper, as they finished sixth in La Liga. And, a recurring injury to Ronaldo was a major cause of this. The Portuguese star had a muscle tear in his right thigh, which he sustained in the end of November. Six weeks later, he was back in action, but the same problem came back just before the New Year. After undergoing an operation, Ronaldo returned to the pitch in late April. However, he was once again injured in the last game of the season, against Deportivo. The Portuguese was sidelined for two weeks, missing the last game of the season against Alavés.
2014-2015 season
Ronaldo was injured during the last match of the season in La Liga against Granada. He was replaced in the 73rd minute, but the injury was too serious and he would miss the Champions League final. However, Ronaldo would return to the field in August in the Super Cup, where he scored two goals against Sevilla to help Real Madrid win the trophy for the third time in a row.
2013-2014 season
Ronaldo had a good season in 2013-2014, scoring a total of 53 goals in all competitions. However, he was injured in the start of the season against Huesca, immediately leaving the field due to a thigh injury. He was sidelined for five weeks, missing the first game of the season against Getafe. Real Madrid won this game, 5-0.
Conclusion
The injuries of Cristiano Ronaldo will have a significant impact on Real Madrid's results this season. The team performed better when he was healthy than when he was injured. The Portuguese is a unique talent and has undoubtedly been the best footballer in the world over the past decade, but it will be interesting to see if he can remain healthy throughout his career. To understand how serious these injuries are, we have to understand how Ronaldo plays. He is a striker who likes to lead the attack with speed and power. Ronaldo is very active in the attack, and likes to dribble with players and create chances for his teammates. He is also very good at scoring goals, and has an excellent shot with either foot. Therefore, if Ronaldo is injured, he will be unable to contribute in these ways. As you can see, the injuries to Ronaldo are serious. They have had an impact on his performances and on the team as a whole. Real Madrid will miss their star player when he is injured.