Losing a player of Ronaldo’s quality would be difficult for any team
Real Madrid have adapted well, and most importantly quickly, to life without Cristiano Ronaldo. After his shock move to Juventus, the world of transfer rumours was filled to the brim with potential replacements. Eden Hazard, Kylian Mbappé and Neymar were all supposedly close to joining Madrid during the summer.
But Madrid did not panic, and splash £200m on a player who might struggle to integrate into the side, for which they deserve a pat on the back. That is a sign of growth from a club who, in the past, have been known to spend recklessly and hope that 11 individuals can gel.
They started the new season with no Cristiano Ronaldo, and no replacement. It was an opportunity for Isco and Marco Asensio to step up, and for Karim Benzema to assume the role of prime goalscorer. And it’s working. Los Blancos have nine points after three matches, having won 4-1 on two occasions.
Madrid midfielder Isco has come out and said that the team do not miss Ronaldo. Speaking at a press conference with the Spanish national team ahead of the game against England in the UEFA Nations League, the playmaker said:
“Obviously Cris is an extraordinary player who assures you 50 goals a season, but we know how football is. If we win they will say that we don’t miss him and if we lose that we miss him,” he said.
“Now we play well as a team.”
“There are players that last year didn’t score the goals they are now doing. For now, we don’t miss him, but this is just starting. We hope to continue like this and I wish him the best at Juve.”
So they don’t miss him. For now. When the latter stages of the Champions League come around, they might find that they miss his last gasp headers, although I suppose Sergio Ramos can play that role.
