Recrero152
Reserve Team
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, two of today's best footballers. Extraordinary skills from both players which all of us have seen. But these skills are not shown at all on international level.
Cristiano Ronaldo has done 23 goals in 75 matches for Portugal. He scored his first goal in this World Cup at the 7-0 win against North Korea and that ended an one and a half year goalless period for him. ONE AND A HALF YEAR! He scored no goals at this World Cups qualification stage though he was injured for a small period of that time. He has only scored three goals in his last 23 games he has played for his national team despite firing up fantastic goals for Real Madrid and has had a fantastic season with them, 26 goals in 29 matches.
Lionel Messi has 13 goals in 47 matches for his national team, Argentina. He was a decisive factor and an important player for Argentina's U-20 squad, scoring 6 goals in 7 matches and ultimately winning the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship. The 23-year-old player has done incredible seasons with Barcelona and scored 34 goals for Barcelona this season alone which includes four amazing hat-tricks. He has done very well for his national team but has never been truly decisive in several important matches and hasn't really performed the way he performs in his club. In this World Cup despite several good chances, he still hasn't been able to score.
Wayne Rooney, the biggest star Man United has to offer and without doubt, one of the best players in Europe. He has 25 goals in 64 matches for England. Rooney became a huge hit immediately in United when he scored a hat-trick in his debut for the club. He has been very important for his club and has scored many fantastic goals. He has never been an important part of the national team however and hasn't managed to do well for England as he has with United. He has not been good at all during this World Cup and has been a colossal disappointment as well as the national team.
My question is: Why are all these modern superstars so skillful at club level but can't perform for their countries the way they perform for their clubs? I'd bet that pressure and expectations from media and people has something to do about it. Since they are superstars and deliver so well for their clubs, the very same is expected by all fans and media when it comes to the national team and when the moment finally comes, they can't perform. Any other theories?
Cristiano Ronaldo has done 23 goals in 75 matches for Portugal. He scored his first goal in this World Cup at the 7-0 win against North Korea and that ended an one and a half year goalless period for him. ONE AND A HALF YEAR! He scored no goals at this World Cups qualification stage though he was injured for a small period of that time. He has only scored three goals in his last 23 games he has played for his national team despite firing up fantastic goals for Real Madrid and has had a fantastic season with them, 26 goals in 29 matches.
Lionel Messi has 13 goals in 47 matches for his national team, Argentina. He was a decisive factor and an important player for Argentina's U-20 squad, scoring 6 goals in 7 matches and ultimately winning the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship. The 23-year-old player has done incredible seasons with Barcelona and scored 34 goals for Barcelona this season alone which includes four amazing hat-tricks. He has done very well for his national team but has never been truly decisive in several important matches and hasn't really performed the way he performs in his club. In this World Cup despite several good chances, he still hasn't been able to score.
Wayne Rooney, the biggest star Man United has to offer and without doubt, one of the best players in Europe. He has 25 goals in 64 matches for England. Rooney became a huge hit immediately in United when he scored a hat-trick in his debut for the club. He has been very important for his club and has scored many fantastic goals. He has never been an important part of the national team however and hasn't managed to do well for England as he has with United. He has not been good at all during this World Cup and has been a colossal disappointment as well as the national team.
My question is: Why are all these modern superstars so skillful at club level but can't perform for their countries the way they perform for their clubs? I'd bet that pressure and expectations from media and people has something to do about it. Since they are superstars and deliver so well for their clubs, the very same is expected by all fans and media when it comes to the national team and when the moment finally comes, they can't perform. Any other theories?