Cristiano Ronaldo sets 'damaging' example for James Rodriguez, Faustino Asprilla says
Faustino Asprilla, the ex-Colombian international who has a newfound knack for finding himself in headlines, believes Cristiano Ronaldo is setting a bad example for James Rodriguez.
"James is my friend and I love him a lot," Asprilla told ESPN Deportes,"but I can see that his friendship with Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid is damaging him."
Ronaldo is inarguably one of the world's greatest players and a fine player to try and emulate. Some of his characteristics, though, could be perceived as detrimental. Ronaldo's treatment of his teammates is worrying to Asprilla, who thinks bad body language and sense of entitlement is rubbing off on the 25-year-old James.
"He now has the same gestures as Ronaldo when he doesn't get the ball. Ronaldo makes gestures at everyone when he doesn't get the ball, and James is doing the same with Colombia," Asprilla said.
The 47-year-old, who made 57 appearances with Colombia, concedes that teammates can have their spats, but, "to make such gestures when they do not pass you ball is the ugliest thing a player can do. It is what Cristiano Ronaldo does every week."
Asprilla's not exactly wrong, although laying all the blame on Ronaldo is harsh. Though not on Ronaldo's level, James is a superstar in his own right. James has been petulant on the pitch with Colombia as of late, but that's not Ronaldo's fault. James is a grown up and is in charge of his own self. Reactions, like the one after this near-miss on a free kick, are becoming too commonplace, though.
Perhaps it's just a phase and the frustration will subside. If it doesn't, Asprilla mentioned a tough-love solution for James: "In another team, he would get a slap. In my team, nobody would have stood for it."
Let's hope it doesn't have to come to that.
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