Why has Ronaldo's narcissistic nature been brushed over for a decade?

[FriedClams]

There are few people in history that can have a sensible conversation with Ronaldo about stuff like this, and more importantly, relate to him. Narcissism is almost guaranteed when you reach the absolute pinnacle and in Ronaldo’s head, he is the absolute best ever to play the sport. No matter what you throw at him, he will see every step he’s taken as necessary to achieve what he has achieved. Unfortunately, it seems that being one of the best means personality traits that the average person just can’t understand or tolerate. Only federer jumps to mind as being an actually likeable on a human level GOAT.

 

[SportingCP96]

He’s been arguably the best player of the last 20 years in football and a consensus top 4 player of all time dominating the most elite competitions in the game and winning award after award.

In other words he talked the talk but he walked the walk and came out many times second to none.

Now he clearly is not the player he used to be because his body can’t keep up with what his mind wants but that elite mentality never goes away. You can say or feel how you want off the field but he was the biggest winner thr sport has seen, no team felt comfortable when they knew he was playing.

Bayern are a team that are known to be scared or nobody and they will rip you shreds (ask Barcelona) but they simply had no answer for Ronaldo which Thomas muller brought up as welll if I recall.

 

[harms]

Was it? By all accounts he was always an insecure insufferable prick but his performances meant that you'd have to accept it if he was on your team.

I'm curious. Do people think it'd be difficult to be humble if you were in his position? He's a dick, yes. But imagine being in his shoes. What sort of person would you be?

Fame does affect you but being a dick is not a pre-requisite for being famous.

 

[FriedClams]

He’s been arguably the best player of the last 20 years in football and a consensus top 4 player of all time dominating the most elite competitions in the game and winning award after award.

In other words he talked the talk but he walked the walk and came out many times second to none.

Now he clearly is not the player he used to be because his body can’t keep up with what his mind wants but that elite mentality never goes away. You can say or feel how you want off the field but he was the biggest winner thr sport has seen, no team felt comfortable when they knew he was playing.

Bayern are a team that are known to be scared or nobody and they will rip you shreds (ask Barcelona) but they simply had no answer for Ronaldo which Thomas muller brought up as welll if I recall.

you don’t need to defend him anymore. Come over to the side where we criticize his recent performances and general twatness.

 

[AndySmith1990]

I guess some people are prepared to overlook the less desirable side of a person to focus on the aspects that bring them joy. Personally I can't stand arrogant, egotistical and narcissistic behaviour in anyone. I find such people to be incredibly ugly and insufferable. The fact he usee to be talented at kicking a football into the back of a net has never changed my feelings on the matter

 

[Wheato]

The single mindedness that makes him great is also the thing that will be his downfall when his talent fades. This is the the stage where we are now.

 

[Gehrman]

There are few people in history that can have a sensible conversation with Ronaldo about stuff like this, and more importantly, relate to him. Narcissism is almost guaranteed when you reach the absolute pinnacle and in Ronaldo’s head, he is the absolute best ever to play the sport. No matter what you throw at him, he will see every step he’s taken as necessary to achieve what he has achieved. Unfortunately, it seems that being one of the best means personality traits that the average person just can’t understand or tolerate. Only federer jumps to mind as being an actually likeable on a human level GOAT.

I don't think I've ever seen Messi behave like a complete narcissist. He's never seemed obsessed about making everything about him. Everything of course at Barca and Argentina became about him because he was far and away their best player and maybe the best ever, but he never acted like a attention whore and exuded this "me me me!" Attitude. Sure his tax evasion case reflects badly on him but I don't feel he's behaved as a narcissist throughout his career or his interviews.

 

[swissgenius]

This is a man that raises his heels in photos to appear taller.
This is a man that raises his shorts in training for cameras to see his thighs.

It's actually quite hilarious. If we did something like that in Juniors, we'd get mocked, but some tried do make it look unintentional.
For a grown man to show off his muscles in every freaking photo is just embarrassing.

Same with his ego antics as soon as the team got a good stretch or that comfortable win against spurs.
He just doesn't care about the team and should've been released a long time ago.

 

[FriedClams]

I don't think I've ever seen Messi behave like a complete narcissist. He's never seemed obsessed about making everything about him. Everything of course at Barca and Argentina became about him because he was far and away their best player and maybe the best ever, but he never acted like a attention whore and exuded this "me me me!" Attitude.

he’s a little on the weird side though.

 

[TsuWave]

I think you guys get too involved in these things. Why should most people care if he’s a narcissist/prick?

I also don’t think people should look too deep into him looking indifferent when team-mates score. It reminds me of the “sulky bastard” allegations thrown at Martial - which he then responded with - “Everyone says I don’t smile when I'm on the pitch, but it’s not deliberate! Those who know me, know that it’s my usual state to be always joking around. I don’t know why this isn’t the case on the field – maybe it’s through concentration.”

It’s not really a big deal. Just give people the room to be themselves so long as they’re doing the business/not harming anyone - and the way football is setup, the moment it’s not working with a player the clubs move them on anyway.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

This. He was an incredible goal scoring machine, it all got swept away because of how amazing he was at football.

He's not that anymore.

He is in his head though. He thinks he will be again and it is because team isn't playing to his strengths. Except those strengths no longer exist. He cannot accept the Father Time might just be catching up with him.

 

[Shakesy]

In another thread I saw Best's actions towards the end of his career are defensible because he was an alcoholic. I don't see why Ronaldo can't be forgiven for having a narcissistic personality disorder.

Actually, I can see. Because it feels so damn good hating him right now. In time, however, we will probably remember him fondly for being a phenomenal player (with caveats).

 

[TsuWave]

He's never been the world's best player. He's had the best season in a decent number of years, but has always been the 2nd best player since 2009.

Yeah nah, you’re wrong.

 

[Gehrman]

he’s a little on the weird side though.

He does seem to have a boring personality. I rather have dinner with Ronaldo. He'd be sitting there without a shirt on flexing his six pack throughout dinner while With Messi you'd just have a bland conversation about the weather.

 

[Giant Midget]

There are few people in history that can have a sensible conversation with Ronaldo about stuff like this, and more importantly, relate to him. Narcissism is almost guaranteed when you reach the absolute pinnacle and in Ronaldo’s head, he is the absolute best ever to play the sport. No matter what you throw at him, he will see every step he’s taken as necessary to achieve what he has achieved. Unfortunately, it seems that being one of the best means personality traits that the average person just can’t understand or tolerate. Only federer jumps to mind as being an actually likeable on a human level GOAT.

I'd say Nadal is a very likeable bloke too.

 

[Arruda]

From 2013 to 2017 he won 4 out of 5 Ballon D'ors. That's best in the world.

It's not.

If you're replying to someone with that opinion, then you are arguing different things.

For some, the discussion of who the best player in this generation is, has been settled for more than 10 years, irrespective of them still having a shit load of trophies and goals to earn and count.

Or you think everyone is waiting for one of them to win a WC to settle te score?

Some of us just watched them playing football.

 

[Henandez14]

Petty nonsensical Comments like this prove he truly was the best player in the world for many years.

I don't care about debating but how does it "prove " anything?

 

[Arruda]

There are few people in history that can have a sensible conversation with Ronaldo about stuff like this, and more importantly, relate to him. Narcissism is almost guaranteed when you reach the absolute pinnacle and in Ronaldo’s head, he is the absolute best ever to play the sport. No matter what you throw at him, he will see every step he’s taken as necessary to achieve what he has achieved. Unfortunately, it seems that being one of the best means personality traits that the average person just can’t understand or tolerate. Only federer jumps to mind as being an actually likeable on a human level GOAT.

That's nonsense. It's one thing to grow as a celebrity and have the natural confidence - or even vanity - that comes from that...

Being a narcisist is a different thing, and there's no way that statement is true.

There's a reason this thread is about Ronaldo and not Messi, Schumacher, Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan, etc...

 

[Skills]

There are few people in history that can have a sensible conversation with Ronaldo about stuff like this, and more importantly, relate to him. Narcissism is almost guaranteed when you reach the absolute pinnacle and in Ronaldo’s head, he is the absolute best ever to play the sport. No matter what you throw at him, he will see every step he’s taken as necessary to achieve what he has achieved. Unfortunately, it seems that being one of the best means personality traits that the average person just can’t understand or tolerate. Only federer jumps to mind as being an actually likeable on a human level GOAT.

It's not. These last 20 years we've see the following GOATs in their respective sports :

Usain Bolt
Big 3 in tennis
Messi

The only one you get a hint of narcissistic tendencies from is maybe Federer - and that's nowhere close to the level that you see from Ronaldo. And even then that's subdued over the years.

 

[Zlaatan]

It's not. These last 20 years we've see the following GOATs in their respective sports :

Usain Bolt
Big 3 in tennis
Messi

The only one you get a hint of narcissistic tendencies from is maybe Federer - and that's nowhere close to the level that you see from Ronaldo. And even then that's subdued over the years.

I'd add Gretzky to that, when it comes to team sports he's arguably the most dominant athlete in history and he couldn't be more humble if he tried. In fact the best hockey players all tend to be quite humble for some reason.

 

[Red Star One]

It never was. People just didn’t care. It’s what happens when grown people treat athletes like the second coming of Christ.

Correct answer. His narcissistic nature was never really brushed over, only nurtured by the worshipers.

 

[duffer]

I'd add Gretzky to that, when it comes to team sports he's arguably the most dominant athlete in history and he couldn't be more humble if he tried. In fact the best hockey players all tend to be quite humble for some reason.

In the last 20 years?

 

[Zlaatan]

In the last 20 years?

No but the post they replied to didn't have that criteria so I thought I'd get away with it.

 

[Esquire]

That's nonsense. It's one thing to grow as a celebrity and have the natural confidence - or even vanity - that comes from that...

Being a narcisist is a different thing, and there's no way that statement is true.

There's a reason this thread is about Ronaldo and not Messi, Schumacher, Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan, etc...

Tiger Woods, Jordan not narcissistic? You sure?

 

[Chief123]

Everyone answered the question so I'm not going to repeat others' sentences. It's just shame Ronaldo can't somehow control his ego and realise that he's been amazing for 15+ years, in top 5 of best football players of all time (even the GOAT for many) and not he's almost 38 and it would be incredible to keep up the same level. He's obsessed about being the best which is admirable but that obsession could hurt him now.

I think that’s ultimately why he’s been so successful. He clearly has that drive, arrogance and self-centred approach to want to be the absolute best. But not only be the best, he wants the world to tell him he’s the best. I think we’ve seen hints of it before in interviews related to Ballon D’ors and comparisons to Messi. He’s always been touchy about it.

Those attributes have been a factor in pushing him to reach the extraordinary levels that he has done. It’s also allowed teammates, fans and managers to turn a blind eye to all the negative aspects of his personality because let’s be honest, most l people are tolerant to anything as long as they have the superstar fighting in their corner.

The major problem arises when he’s no longer capable of performing at those levels to the point where he actually becomes a liability in the team but he still has the attitude and ego he had before. It’s a recipe for disaster where everything that was tolerated before will now be banished and punished as there’s no downside to getting on his wrong side.

It’s unfortunate to see, but he’s already showing signs of potentially struggling with the lack of limelight and attention he will get once he finishes football. I wouldn’t be surprised if he makes a terrible attempt of trying to go into something like acting to massage his ego.

 

[FriedClams]

I'd add Gretzky to that, when it comes to team sports he's arguably the most dominant athlete in history and he couldn't be more humble if he tried. In fact the best hockey players all tend to be quite humble for some reason.

he has no time to be anything other than humble with all the booze he drinks

 

[Chief123]

It's not. These last 20 years we've see the following GOATs in their respective sports :

Usain Bolt
Big 3 in tennis
Messi

The only one you get a hint of narcissistic tendencies from is maybe Federer - and that's nowhere close to the level that you see from Ronaldo. And even then that's subdued over the years.

I’d add Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar to that. In fact, at the top of the list.

Arguably the greatest batsman to play the game but an incredibly humble and shy character. I’m not an Indian cricket fan, but he was an admirable sportsman and a true example of how to carry yourself when you are the best.

 

[Skills]

Tiger Woods, Jordan not narcissistic? You sure?

Jordan was definitely one.

 

[FriedClams]

It's not. These last 20 years we've see the following GOATs in their respective sports :

Usain Bolt
Big 3 in tennis
Messi

The only one you get a hint of narcissistic tendencies from is maybe Federer - and that's nowhere close to the level that you see from Ronaldo. And even then that's subdued over the years.

federer? Really… I haven’t ever noticed that from him. Bolt definitely has narcissistic tendencies.

 

[Ladron de redcafe]

It's not. These last 20 years we've see the following GOATs in their respective sports :

Usain Bolt
Big 3 in tennis
Messi

The only one you get a hint of narcissistic tendencies from is maybe Federer - and that's nowhere close to the level that you see from Ronaldo. And even then that's subdued over the years.

Yeah, I agree. None of the ones you mentioned are narcissistic. Messi is inarguably the best player of this generation (and a top 2 player all time) and you don't see this type of stuff with him.
Federer has made some awkward comments about realizing how talented he is but he's the same guy who told Rafa "I'm lucky to have been a part of your era. I'm you're biggest fan".

Jordan was definitely one.

Jordan has repeatedly refused to call himself the greatest ever despite all his peers and rivals (by almost unanimous conensus) lined up declaring him as the greatest, and despite dominating his sport statistically to a greater extent than almost any sportsman in a major sport sans Gretzsky. He's arrogant and certainly a sociopath, but I never go the sense he had the narcasstic need to validate himself.

With Ronaldo, it seems to have gotten much worse as Messi has pulled away in Ballon D'ors and golden boots.

 

[Zlaatan]

he has no time to be anything other than humble with all the booze he drinks

Ah yes of course. Good old alcohol, the time waster that leaves you nothing but humble.

 

[JPRouve]

It's not. These last 20 years we've see the following GOATs in their respective sports :

Usain Bolt
Big 3 in tennis
Messi

The only one you get a hint of narcissistic tendencies from is maybe Federer - and that's nowhere close to the level that you see from Ronaldo. And even then that's subdued over the years.

Lebron James is closer to Ronaldo while Steph Curry is ridiculously down to earth. The very best Rugby players in the past 20 years have also been largely team players and normal characters.

 

[ExoduS]

As many have said already - everyone knew he is a selfish, narcissistic cnut. It was tolerated.

I mean one thing that stinks in all of this is that he lost a child. Not sure how that is affecting his behavior but it's harder for me to go all out on him because of that fact.

One fact remains - giving interviews where the goal is to badmouth a team you are still on is terrible. It shows basic lack of respect. If you feel disrespected or mistreated there are other ways to handle it.

 

[B20]

I don't see how it was brushed aside.

Everyone has known forever-

 

[Chief123]

I don't see how it was brushed aside.

Everyone has known forever-

That’s exactly what brushing aside is. It was known but ignored.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

That’s exactly what brushing aside is. It was known but ignored.

Think a lot probably just saw it as arrogance and confidence, when it is something a lot nastier than that.

 

[B20]

That’s exactly what brushing aside is. It was known but ignored.

Ignored in what way? It was talked about plenty. His moaning when his team scored instead of him, standing on his heels in photos, his constant self-adoration really. A quick search of "ronaldo narcissist" here on the caf gives 23 pages of hits.

What besides talking about it every so often do you imagine constitutes not "brushing it aside"?

 

[Idxomer]

I don't think it has been ignored in the last 4 years. It was probably the main reason Perez kicked him out because he knew someone with his personality wouldn't take his decline well.

 

[RedRonaldo]

Let’s just say if this traits is taken away from him, he might not have the same drive to score 800+ goals and keep getting nominated/win multiple Ballon D’ors over past 18 years.

And imagine if he was a humble/boring person instead, he might not have the same popularity and marketing pull in social media of 490m+ followers.

 

[Vidyoyo]

Because it didn't hurt me personally. I don't get all jeezy about yeezy either.