Are you calling me fat?

Yes definitely fat, sluggish and slow. In fact Ronaldo yesterday looked like he was more of a lightweight boxer waiting to get into the heavyweight category. Even his game had the signs of a boxer – just waiting to make that sucker punch! Sadly in his case, none came in his way (apart from one snap shot which he conjured in the second half).

The former world player of the year looked more relieved coming off the pitch than doing the job on it. He was often operating at walking pace and was constantly hampered by bad ball control and heavy touch. Not once did he attempt anything as ambitious as a run into a channel.

It looks more like the curtain is finally being drawn for this player. His coach Carlos Alberto Parreira however still insists that Ronaldo will improve as the tournament progresses.

Parreira’s excuse for Ronaldo’s bad performance yesterday?

“Ronaldo has not been playing for the last two months and has had only two friendlies, so it was natural he felt a bit heavy as it was very hot."